School Nurse: Lou Brown, RN, BSN brownl@hpisd.org

Location: The Armstrong clinic is located by the main office

Clinic telephone number: 214-780-3120

Clinic fax number: 214-780-3190

School Health Services

Please help us to provide a healthy and safe environment for all students by observing the following:

Attendance Guidelines For Illness

Do not send your child to school if any of these symptoms or signs present in the previous 24 hours:

• Elevated temperature (100º or greater)
• Acute cold, sore throat or persistent cough
• Vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain
• Repeated diarrhea
• Purulent discharge (anything other than clear discharge) from the nose or eyes resulting from a contagious condition
• Red, inflamed or discharging eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Suspected scabies, impetigo, acute skin rashes or eruptions, any skin lesion in the weeping stage, headlice or any other infectious childhood condition

There will be times when it is too difficult to tell when your child is too ill to go to school. Sometimes there is worry that he or she will miss important schoolwork. Like adults, children have different tolerances for discomfort and illness. Even with the common cold, some are able to function fine while others are miserable. If your child is coughing continuously, he or she won’t be able to concentrate and will disrupt others in the class.

A day of rest at home combined with lots of fluids speeds recovery. If you decide to send your child to school when they are borderline of being ill, it is a good idea to call the school nurse or send a note to the teacher. Be sure to let the school nurse know where you can be contacted in case your child’s condition worsens.

If your child complains of headaches, stomachaches or frequently does not feel well, it is wise to mention it to you doctor. Also, it is not uncommon for children to have physical complaints when they’re anxious about a test or an event – or even when they’ve realized that staying home brings a little extra attention.

Immunization Requirements

For specific immunization schedule requirements or information regarding medical contraindications, religious conflicts or provisional enrollment, please consult the school nurse.

• Diptheria/Tetanus
• Polio
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (chicken pox)
• Haemophilus Influenza Type B

Texas law requires that all immunization records show month, day and year of the vaccine administered.

Medication Policy

Please take note of the following important information about the administration of medication during school hours:

• Only those medications that are necessary for a student’s medical care and that cannot be given outside school hours will be administered. Even medications that are scheduled for three times a day can usually be given outside school hours.
• Medication must be in its original, properly labeled container (no baggies, please). Please request your pharmacist to provide two labeled bottles of medication: one for home and one for school. Also, if a dosage is changed (Ritalin, for example), a new label must be made - medications can only be given as per label instructions.
• Please provide written consent and specific instructions for each medication. There are medication cards available for this purpose in the school clinic and office.
• The school nurse cannot dispense over-the-counter (non-prescription) medication such as Tylenol, cough syrups, antihistamines, etc. These medications must be provided from home (with written permission/ instructions.)
• Medications must be age-appropriate. Aspirin is an important example: aspirin usage by children and adolescents has been associated with the rare, but often fatal disorder, REYE’S SYNDROME. The nurse may not administer aspirin or any aspirin-containing product without specific physician permission. (Even Pepto-Bismol, which contains an aspirin-like compound, must be given with caution.)
• Only medications that are up-to-date may be administered. Please check expiration date before sending medications to school.
• Injectable medications may only be administered by the nurse or a trained designee, and only in life-threatening/urgent situations (for example, adrenaline for severe allergic reactions). There must be on file written authorization and instructions from the physician (a special form for this is available in the school clinic.)
• Special agents, such as herbs, amino acids and homeopathic remedies will require the following before they can be administered: 1) physician description of content and possible adverse effects, 2) written parent consent, and 3) specific instructions for use.
• Students are encouraged to remember to report to the clinic/office for their medications.
• Students who have parent and physician authorization and written consent and instructions on file in the school clinic may carry asthma inhalers during the school day. We urge you to keep an extra inhaler in the clinic as a back-up.
• Prescription and non-prescription medication requests and parent/physician requests are to be renewed at the beginning of each new school year.
• At the end of each school year, all students will be notified that medications will need to be taken home. Any medications that are not picked up will be discarded.
• Prescription medications may only be given if prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in the United States.