If your child has a medical condition or chronic health concern please notify the school nurse at your child’s school. Forms are available on this website for health conditions such as allergy, asthma, seizures, G-tube feeds, and general health conditions. Your child’s health care provider will have to complete this form. The school nurse will then develop an Individual Health Plan and or Emergency Action plan and share with appropriate staff.

In life-threatening situations or in situations where the need for immediate medical care is suspected, the school has a responsibility to act on behalf of the injured or ill student, employee or program participant. Emergency medical services must be activated by call 911. The principal, designee or program supervisor must act on behalf of the parent or guardian when medical assistance and response time may be critical to preserve life or prevent major disability. In these instances, emergency medical services are called first, parents or guardians second.

The District's Student Enrollment Form is completed and signed annually by the student's parent or guardian and kept in each school office. Emergency information on the form includes student health information. No child who is ill or injured will be allowed to leave the building during the school day without permission of his/her parent or guardian.

Please call the health office to report any disability, serious injury, illness, or impending surgery. If your child has been hospitalized you will need to get a note from the physician stating when your child may return to school and what the limitations or physical restrictions are. Also, if your child has experienced a significant injury that requires medical treatment and has specific physical restrictions or accommodations your child’s physician will have to provide a written note stating what restrictions and accommodations need to be in place at school.

A. Prescription Medications

A written, signed statement from the parent/guardian and a written, signed instruction from a practitioner must be on file at the school authorizing school personnel to administer any medication. (See Medication Information Form) The statement must include:

• Student name, date of birth
• Medication name, dose, route frequency, time/conditions, duration
• Reason for medication
• Name of practitioner
• Parent/guardian signature, practitioner signature, date

Medication Administration Information Form is available in each health office and downloadable on the district website.

• Requests must, be renewed each year or more often if changes in dosage occur.
• All changes will be noted on the medication administration record, dated and initialed by the designee.
• Prescription medications must be supplied in a pharmacy-labeled container indicating the correct dosage and administration instructions.
• The school nurse shall be informed by school personnel of all students receiving medication and any changes in dosage.
• The nurse will review the medication record periodically and use professional judgment in contacting thepractitioner, school personnel, or parents to resolve inconsistencies in administration directions.

B. Non-prescription Medication

• Non-prescription medication (over-the-counter) that is FDA approved can be administered. A written,signed statement from the parent/guardian must be on file at school authorizing school personnel to administer (Medication Administration Information Form).
• Medication Administration Information Form is available in each health office and downloadable on the district website.
• Non-prescription drugs must come to school in the original manufacturer's packaging with ingredients and recommended therapeutic dose.
• Non-prescription medications must be supplied by parent in the original container with the student'sname affixed.
• Any non-prescription medication intended for long-term use on a daily basis must be accompanied by a practitioner’s signature.
• All medication must be supplied by the parent.
• Medication administered by school personnel will be kept in a locked secure place. It is the responsibility of the student to get his/her medication at the designated time. Only empty medication containers will besent home from school with students for safety reasons. All medication must be reclaimed by the parent at the end of the school year or it will be discarded.
• Students with asthma may possess and self administer metered dose inhalers or dry powder inhalers for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the onset of asthmatic symptoms. The student must have on file an Asthma Management Plan or Medication Administration Information Form with the written approval of a prescribing practitioner and the student's parent or guardian updated annually.
• A student with life-threatening allergies may possess and use an EpiPen upon receipt of the Allergy Action Plan or Medication Administration Information Form. This form has the written approval of a prescribing practitioner and the parent or guardian updated annually.

It is recommended that students entering early childhood special education programs and kindergarten have a physical and dental examination prior to starting school. Parents of kindergartners are encouraged to arrange for their child's eyes to be examined by an optometrist or evaluated by a physician by December 31 following the student's enrollment. Examinations shall be paid for by the child's parent or guardian. The forms will be maintained in the school health room.

Nursing/Health Services conduct the annual hearing screening program for children in early childhood, kindergarten that have not turned in recent medical or eye exam forms and children with suspected hearing problems who are referred from other grades. Nursing/Health Services conduct the annual distance vision screening program for children in grades 1, 3, 5, and early childhood and kindergarten students that have not turned in recent medical or eye exam forms. Children with suspected distance vision problems who are referred from another grade will also be screened. Children who fail an initial screening both hearing and vision will be rescreened and the parent/guardian will be contacted if the child fails the second screening.

The District follows Wisconsin State Statute 252.04, which requires all students through grade 12 who do not submit waivers to present evidence that they have received the first dose of each vaccine required for their grade within 30 school days of admission. The second dose must be within 90 days of admission and the third and fourth dose if required for their grade within 30 days of the beginning of the next school year. Students whose parent/guardian signs a religious or personal waiver are compliant within the law. Students whose physician signs a health waiver are compliant with the law. Waivers are available in the health rooms of each school. 

Information about free public health immunizations

Clinic information for Dane County Free Immunization Clinics is available in the health rooms of each school and on our website. The Middleton Free Immunization Clinic is at St. Bernard’s Church on the corner of University & Parmenter (use rear entrance). The clinic is held the first Thursday of each month from 3 to 5 p.m. No appointment is needed. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under 18 years of age. If you have any questions about this requirement please talk to your child’s health care provider or Public
Health Dept. Madison & Dane County (266-4821).

As a parent it is difficult to decide if your child is well enough to go to school. Here are some guidelines to help in decision-making:

• A child should remain home when illness such as a sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea orcough willprevent them from functioning in class.
• It is best practice to keep your child home until food is tolerated.
• Children should stay home until no fever (100.0 oral) has been present for 24 hours without medication.
• Many times a child cannot concentrate on classroom activities and may expose children to their illness.

The District follows federal regulations, state statutes, administrative rules, city ordinances and the procedures followed by Public Health Madison & Dane county and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services regarding known or suspected communicable diseases, as well as the reporting of disease and disease control. Communicable disease identification and practical disease control is a daily responsibility of the health services staff.

Please remember to use the attendance line (24 hours a day) to report when your child has a communicable disease such as influenza, pertussis, chicken pox, strep throat, fifth’s disease mono ringworm pink eye, or the nuisance of head lice.

Go to the bottom of the Health Services page for links to more information on communicable diseases.

Please check out the District's two-page Flu and Cold Guidelines document for more information, including a chart comparing the systems of each.

Meningococcal disease, commonly called bacterial meningitis, is a potentially fatal infection that can occur among teenagers and college students. While meningococcal disease is rare and difficult to contract, it is a very serious and there is a vaccine that can prevent it. The Meningococcal vaccine is not a school required vaccine, but it is recommended that all 11-12 year olds get vaccinated. Please consult your child’s primary health care provider regarding this disease and vaccine.