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Hamblen County Department of Education

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School Health Clinic Information

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should my child stay home from school?

  • Fever: Temperature of 100° or higher. Your child needs to be fever free (without fever-reducing medication) for 24 hours before returning to school.
  • Pink Eye: If antibiotics are prescribed, your child must receive 24 hours of antibiotics and/or doctor approval before returning to school.
  • Strep Throat: If the doctor diagnoses strep throat, your child must remain home for 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.
  • Prescribed Antibiotics: If any antibiotic treatment is needed, your child should remain home for the first 24 hours of medication.
  • Rashes: A sudden appearance of a rash over any part of the body with an unknown cause accompanied by other symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor.
  • Scabies: Children may not return to school until they have been treated by a doctor.
  • Diarrhea: Stay home from school until symptoms resolve.

 

Medication

2. Can my child take medications while at school?

  • Medications will be given at school only when the student's health requires that they be given during school hours.
  • Prescription medications that are given during school hours require a Physician's signature. A "Permission for Medication" form will need to be completed and on file.
  • Over-the-Counter (Non-Prescription) medications brought from home also require a "Permission for Medication" form to be completed and on file.
  • The School Clinic provides a limited variety of over-the-counter medications and first aid supplies. The Health Information section for a child’s “online registration” should be updated at the beginning of every school year.

3. Can my child carry their own medications to school?

  • Students should not carry their own medications to and from school. A parent is responsible for bringing medications to the school and back home themselves. Students who are found to carry medications are subject to disciplinary action. This includes prescription and non-prescription medications.
  • An exception to this is inhalers and Epi-Pens. Physician and Parent approval are required to carry an inhaler or Epi-Pen. Also, a "Self Possession" form must be signed by the parent, and on file, for a student to carry their inhaler or Epi-Pen.
  • All medications must be brought in by the parent in the original container with the prescription label attached that contains the child's name, medication name and dosage. Over-the-counter medicines must be brought in by the parent in the original, unopened package.
  • Diabetic students are allowed to carry their diabetic supplies (Glucose tabs, insulin, monitors, etc).

4. If my child is sent home from school by the school nurse when can they return?

  • If your child is sent home from school vomiting, they are not to return the following day. In order to return they must go 24 hours without vomiting.
  • If your child is sent home with a fever, from school they are not to return the following day. They must be fever free for 24 hours without medication in order to return.

 

The HCBOE School Nurses will utilize clinic nursing judgement to make dispositions for staff and student visits to school clinics. This general healthcare information should NOT be used as a substitute or in place of contacting your child’s healthcare provider.

Please note that a provider’s written instructions to the school will take precedence over the above guidelines. If you should have specific questions regarding your child, please contact the school nurse.