Willowriver.k12.mn.us

Willow River Health Office
Our goal and mission is to facilitate and strengthen the educational process by promoting, improving and protecting the health status of our students. Is my child well enough to go to school?
The guidelines listed here are to help prevent the spread of illness in school. Our goal is to keep our kids healthy so illness doesn’t interfere with learning. To prevent the spread of illness, we recommend your child stay home when ill. If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or
more, we recommend staying home until 24 hours after the temperature has returned to normal without the use of
fever reducing medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. If your child has had vomiting or diarrhea, we also expect that
your child remain home 24 hours after symptoms have stopped. If your child is experiencing a bad cough or cold with green
or yellow nasal drainage, has decreased appetite or interrupted sleep, we recommend you check with your family physician
before sending your child to school. If your child has an undiagnosed rash or red, mattered eyes, check with your family
physician before sending your child to school. If your child has been started on antibiotics, in most cases they will no longer
be contagious once they have been taking the medication for a full 24 hours. But, please check with your family physician
to confirm when they can return to school, if it is sooner than 24 hours, please have your physician write a note to the nurse.
How can I help my child do well in school?
Have your child eat a well-balanced diet including a nutritious breakfast. Get adequate exercise. Get enough rest, about 8-12 hours depending on your child. Maintain a good balance of work and play. Limit the amount of time your child watches television or plays with electronic games. Encourage your child to wash their hands before and after meals, after using the bathroom, after playing outside, after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose, and whenever their hands do not look, feel or smell clean. We strongly recommend that children have a complete physical before entering kindergarten and grade 7. Students participating in athletics must have a physical exam every 3 years in order to clear the student for participation in sports. A dental exam is recommended every year. What if my child needs medications during the school day?
The school district does not stock any over the counter medications. All prescription medication must have a physician
order for the health office staff to administer it school. If your child needs to have medication administered during the
day, you can obtain the form through the health office. They are also available on line at the Willow River School Website.
Click on the “District Information” tab on the left margin-and then click on the “Health Office Information” tab. You must send a written note with your child before the medication can be administered. This written notice must be either on the Medication Administration form signed by the parent or guardian or a note signed and dated giving the health office permission to administer the medication to your child. Please provide the medical provider’s name and phone number. We will contact the medical provider to get the paperwork completed. The medication will not be started until the physician
returns the signed form. Over the counter medications-like Tylenol or Ibuprofen require parent/guardian signature giving
permission for the health office staff to administer the medication in school. The medication must come in the original
manufacture container, it must not be expired, it must be approved by the FDA for use in children, and can only be given
according to instructions on the label or package insert. If the parent or guardian wants the child to receive a different dose other than what is listed on the label or package insert, then a physician must provide written order with those directions. Aspirin or products containing Aspirin will not be administered to students by school staff without a physician’s order and school nurse approval. Each student must bring in their own supply of the medication to keep in the health office to use as needed. If a high school student prefers to “carry” their over the counter medication, written permission by the parent or
guardian still needs to be on file in the office. The school nurse will discuss use of the medication with the student to ensure
they are prepared to administer it properly and understand it is never acceptable to share their supply with another student.
How often do the medication authorizations need to be signed?
Each form that is signed is only effective for one school year. The nurse will be available during the open house each fall, with all the necessary forms for you to sign for the school year. Please plan to bring in the prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, inhalers, nebulizer medications, and Epi-Pens that your child may need during the school year. If the form is signed by the parent at the Open House, the nurse will attempt to get the signed order from the MD prior to the first day of school. Returning medication at the end of the year:
Over-the-counter medications will be sent home with the students at the end of the year. The nurse will check with the parent on how prescription medication will be sent home. Any medication that is not either picked up or sent home on the last day will be destroyed. It cannot be saved and used the following school year. What health screening does the school provide?
We follow recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health for screening programs. Currently students in K, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 11 are screened for hearing. Students in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 are screened for vision. If you have concerns about your child’s vision and hearing and they are not in a grade scheduled to be screened, please call the health office and request a screening for your child. Scoliosis screening will be provided to 5th grade girls in the fall and 6th grade girls in the spring. Emergency Information Form:
Each year we will ask parents to complete an emergency information form. This form will give you an opportunity to provide the school with phone numbers where you can be reached, and for trusted people who we can call should we not be able to reach you. There is also space to document any health concerns your child may have. As the nurse of the school, I appreciate knowing of health concerns so I can be well informed and prepared to provide nursing services to your child. How do I contact the health office?
The health office is staffed from 8am-2pm on days when students are present. We can be reached by phone at 218-372-3131 extension 205. If you call after 2pm, you can leave a message which will be returned at our first opportunity. Be sure to leave a call back number where you can be reached during the school day. You can also contact the health office by email at

Source: http://www.willowriver.k12.mn.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_3689560/File/Willow%20River/high%20School/parentinfo/Willow_River_Health_office.pdf