Health Services
Welcome
FCS employs registered nurses to coordinate and manage the health needs of students at school. A coordinated school health program has three levels of prevention: primary (including immunization monitoring/compliance, evaluating the school environment to identify/eliminate potential health hazards, and educating students, families, and staff on common health issues); secondary (early identification of health issues by reviewing health assessments, screening for vision issues, and assessing/referring students for acute physical or emotional problems); and tertiary (providing services to maximize access to the school environment by developing and overseeing individual health/emergency care plans, administering/delegating care/treatments as prescribed by a licensed health care provider, and training/monitoring the provision of specialized health care procedures). According to the CDC, "School health services intervene with actual and potential health problems, including providing first aid, emergency care, and assessment and planning for the management of chronic conditions (such as asthma or diabetes). In addition, wellness promotion, preventive services and staff, student and parent education complement the provision of care coordination services. These services are also designed to ensure access and/or referrals to the medical home or private healthcare provider. Health services connect school staff, students, families, community and healthcare providers to promote the health care of students and a healthy and safe school environment." Health services provided may be both planned and unplanned and some require written consent.
Planned Services that Require Prior Written Consent
- Medication administration - requires written authorization from a licensed healthcare provider and written parental consent.
- Specialized healthcare procedures (diabetes care, tube feedings, catheterizations, etc.) require written authorization from a licensed healthcare provider and written parental consent.
- Individual Vision Screenings - requires written parental consent
- Health Screenings for Exceptional Children's Evaluations - requires written parental consent
Unplanned Services that do not Require Prior Written Consent (Students presenting to the health office)
- Emergency care for illness/injuries that occur during the school day - may include basic assessment and vital signs (temperature, heart/respiratory rate, blood pressure) if warranted; basic first aid (cleaning wounds with soap and water; covering wounds with a dressing, ice packs)
- Basic one-on-one health education and counseling may include topics related to emergency care for illness and injury, the management of chronic health conditions such as asthma or diabetes, nutrition, hygiene, infection control and prevention, mental health, substance abuse, puberty/reproductive health, violence/bullying/relationships.
- Review and follow up on submitted injury reports
- Monitoring immunization compliance
- Communicable disease surveillance
- Referrals for community health care as needed
Planned Services that Parents May "Opt Out" of (Parents will be notified prior to these events and can choose to opt out of having their student participate by sending in a written note prior to the event)
- Mass Vision Screening (Provided to grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 district-wide) typically occurs in the fall.
- Puberty education (Provided to 5th-grade students as part of the standard course of study) typically occurs in the spring.
Overview
- Health Assessment
- Immunization Requirements
- Immunization Status
- Nurses & First Responders - Extra Curricular Activities
- Requirements for School Entry
- Vision Screening
Health Assessment
All students who are enrolling in a public school in N.C. for the first time must present a health assessment upon enrollment. NC law allows a 30 day grace period for submission of health assessment forms. Principals are required to exclude students who are not in compliance within 30 days of enrollment. This applies to all students in grades Kindergarten - 12.
Immunization Requirements
Per FCS Policy Code 4110, Immunization and Health Requirements for School Admission, all students must submit a complete, age-appropriate vaccination record upon school entry. NC law allows a 30 day grace period for submission of these records and principals are required to exclude students who are not in compliance with this requirement within 30 calendar days of the student’s first day of attendance.
Immunizations Required for Grades K - 6:
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5 doses of Dtap
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4 doses of Polio
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2 doses of MMR
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3 doses of Hepatitis B
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2 doses of Varicella
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4 doses of Pneumococcal
Immunizations Required for Grades 7 -11 (All of the above plus):
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1 booster dose of Tdap
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1 Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
Immunizations Required for Grade 12 (All of the above plus):
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1 booster dose of Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on/after 16th birthday
If you have any questions about your student’s immunization status, please email your student’s school nurse.
Immunization Status
In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease - Students who have not provided proof of full vaccination due to medical exemption or religious beliefs for all state required vaccine preventable illnesses (Measles, Pertussis, Mumps, etc.) will be excluded from school based upon recommendations from the local Health Department and the CDC.
Nurses & First Responders - Extra Curricular Activities
Nurses and First Responders are typically available during school hours to assist with student health needs. It is the parent's responsibility to communicate health needs to the coordinator of any sports or other extracurricular activities that occur outside of the school day. Parents should also ensure that students have access to any emergency medications that are required outside of school hours.
Requirements for School Entry
Vision Screening
School nurses provide mass vision screening for students in grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 to help identify potential vision problems. Students in other grades may be screened upon request for Exceptional Children's evaluations or if teachers have concerns regarding potential vision issues. Screenings are performed in accordance with PBNC guidelines. If you choose for your student NOT to participate in vision screening, please notify the nurse in writing.
Forms
Allergy Management Form (Epi-Pen order)
Diet Order form for Students with Unique Mealtime Needs
Elementary School Medication Authorization Form
Health History Form
Middle & High School Medication Authorization Form
Over the Counter Medication Form (Grades 6-12)
Return to School Following Surgery or Extended Illness (Physician Authorization Form)
Specialized Healthcare Procedures Form
Student Medical Absence Form
Helpful Links
Staff
| Name | Title | Location | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Cabe | School Nurse | FES, LOMES | sandycabe@fcschools.net | 919-494-2479/919-554-0667 |
| Emily Grissom | School Nurse | CCMS, TLMS | emilygrissom@fcschools.net | 919-554-4848/919-496-1855 |
| Jessica Huffman | School Nurse Support | Varies | jessicahuffman@fcschools.net | |
| Marla King | School Nurse | EBES, LMES | marlaking@fcschools.net | 919-853-2347 / 919-556-5250 |
| Tammy Perry | School Nurse | BHS | tammyperry@fcschools.net | 919-496-3975 |
| Lisa Pursell-Morris | Lead Nurse | West River Rd. Annex | lisamorris@fcschools.net | 919-496-2457 |
| Taylor McGlothlin | School Nurse | BES, BMS | taylormcglothlin@fcschools.net | 919-496-4015 / 919-496-7700 |
| Lin Kirk | School Nurse | LES, LHS | lindakirk@fcschools.net | 919-496-3676 / 919-496-3725 |
| Dawn Lindley | School Nurse | ECHS, YES | dawnlindley@fcschools.net | 252-738-3649; 919-556-5250 |
| Kelly Young | School Nurse | RES, FMS | kellyyoung@fcschools.net | 919-496-7377, 919-494-2971 |