Welcome to Health Services

At times, it may be necessary for a student to take medication during the school day. If a medication must be administered by school personnel, the following conditions must be met:

1. Written authorization by parent for both prescription and non-prescription medications.

2. Written instructions and authorization from a physician for prescription drugs including dosage and frequency.

3. All medications, prescription and non-prescription, must be in their original containers. Prescription medication containers should include the physician's name and pharmacy.

4. Medication that is not FDA approved will not be administered in school.

5. Students are only allowed to take medication in school when it is administered by the school nurse in the health office.

Exceptions include:

• Secondary students with asthma are allowed to carry inhalers. Elementary students should keep their inhalers in the health office unless specific written permission to carry the inhaler is received from the physician and the parent/guardian. The student also needs to demonstrate competency in administering.

• Secondary students may also possess and use non-prescription pain relief after a written authorization from the parent/guardian is received in the health office.

Compliance with the conditions listed above must be renewed each year.

One of the functions of the school health program is to promote students' health through early identification and detection of any problems that may cause disability and/or interfere with learning. Screenings are conducted following Minnesota Department of health guidelines. These screenings are sometimes completed as a whole group but more often individually by referral from parent or teacher.

Screening programs may include:

• Hearing and vision
• Color vision deficiency
• Blood pressure
• Scoliosis

If a student does not pass the first screening, they will be re-screened by the Licensed School Nurse. If a student does not pass the second time, a referral notice will be sent to the parent, encouraging a physician's visit. If you have a question or concern about your child's hearing or vision, please contact your Licensed School Nurse.

Our nurses and school staff work closely with families to meet the health needs of your child.

Contact your student's school nurse to discuss the specific needs of your child to ensure that proper care and treatment will be provided in case of an emergency.

This health information will be shared with appropriate school personnel as needed to ensure the health and safety of your student.

Communicable diseases are illnesses caused by germs that can be spread through person-to-person contact or shared objects.

Hopkins Public Schools follows the guidelines developed by the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department when deciding if a student should be sent home or kept home from school. Please notify the Licensed School Nurse if your student has a communicable condition like chicken pox, strep throat, or head lice. 

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Notices of exposure to a communicable disease in the K-12 setting will usually be sent home in the following situations (some exceptions):

• 3 + active cases in elementary classroom 
• an identifiable cluster of cases in a secondary setting
• Following recommendations from the MN Dept. of Health

COVID-19 Information

Students are taught skills needed to promote safety and prevent unintentional injuries. However, injuries requiring first aid can happen in classrooms, on playgrounds, or on athletic fields. The school nurse will assess and administer first aid when necessary.

No student is allowed to leave the building for reason of injury or illness without first reporting to the nurse.

If necessary the school nurse will:

• Contact the parent or guardian or designated emergency contact.
• Call 911 if a student requires more than first aid. If transported, the student’s family will be financially responsible for the care given.

Occasionally, a child may need to be excused from participation in a class due to an injury or medical reason.

• A note from the parent/guardian is required to excuse a student from physical activities for one day only.

• If an injury requires a student to be excused from participating in physical activities at school (physical education class, recess, etc.) for more than one day, a physician’s note is required.