All VBSD school nurses are professional nurses licensed in accordance with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s Professional Standards of School Nursing Practice. Every school in our district has a nurse assigned for a minimum of 15 hours per week.

Expertise of VBSD Nurses:

• Pediatric, public health, and mental health nursing, with strong health promotion, assessment, and referral skills.
• Knowledge of education and health laws impacting children.
• Strategies for delivering health education to students and staff.

The primary role of the School Nurse is to support student learning by promoting health and safety. Nurses serve as health professionals for the school community, offering services that include:

• Assessments and referrals for illness and injuries.
• Management and education for chronic health conditions.
• Health screenings (vision, hearing, scoliosis, BMI) as mandated by the state.
• Creation of individualized Nursing Care Plans for students with disabilities or medical needs.
• Medication administration and training for school staff.
• Crisis intervention and participation in emergency response teams.
• Staff training on health-related issues and CPR/First Aid certification.

Medication Administration

Medicine Distribution is administered according to the guidelines outlined by the by the School Health Services Program of the Arkansas Department of Education and include:

• The medication must be in the original container with child’s name on the prescription.
• The Prescription cannot be altered in any way, i.e. written on.
• No medication to be given three (3) times daily or less will be administered at school. EXCEPTION: Medication used to treat ADD/ADHD
• All medication used to treat ADD/ADHD will be given during the child’s lunch break unless specifically stated differently on the prescription. The morning dose should be administered at home unless 8:00 a.m. is specifically stated on the prescription.
• No over-the-counter drugs will be given at school as school personnel are not trained to determine when medications are needed and this is a form of prescribing. If it is necessary to take an over-the-counter medication at school, it must be prescribed by the student’s physician – a doctor’s note will be accepted.  A parent must provide then supply the school with the prescribed over-the-counter medication.
• The consent form must be signed before any medication will be given at school. HANDWRITTEN NOTES OR PHONE CALLS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
• Medication must be brought in by a parent. MEDICINE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL BY A STUDENT WILL BE CONFISCATED AND WILL NOT BE ADMINISTERED. TRANSPORTATION OF MEDICINES ON SCHOOL BUSES IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
• Medication brought to school in a container that is too large for our secure storage container may be placed into a smaller container. The original label will be removed and placed on the new container.
• Any medication not picked up by the last day of school will be disposed of.

Fever Policy

If your child has an above normal temperature, you will be notified to pick them up. In order to  minimize the spread of illnesses, we ask that your child be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to  school.

Health Screenings

• Vision and Hearing: Conducted as required by Arkansas law, with parent notifications for further follow-up.
• Scoliosis: Screenings for curvature of the spine, with exemptions allowed for religious reasons upon written request.
• Body Mass Index: Annual screenings with results available upon parent request.

Head Lice Checks & Policy

Students must be lice-free to attend school. Parents will be notified if lice are found, and students can return once cleared.

Immunization Record Reviews

Immunization records are reviewed annually to ensure compliance with Arkansas state requirements. Notices will be sent to parents if additional immunizations are needed.

Immunization Requirements (K-12):

• 4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 2 MMR, 2 Varicella (or MD-documented history of disease), 3 Hepatitis B.
• Additional requirements for specific age groups, including Hep A, Tdap, and MCV4.

Flu Shot Clinics

In partnership with the Crawford County Health Implementation Office, flu shot clinics are held at each school. Participation is voluntary and requires written parental permission.

 

Our school nurses work tirelessly to support student health, enabling academic success. By addressing health needs, we create a safe and nurturing environment for learning. Teachers are able to focus on education while parents can trust that their children’s health concerns are managed during the school day.

At VBSD Health Services, we believe in partnering with families to promote student well-being. Please feel free to visit the nurse’s office with questions, concerns, or to exchange health information. Together, we can help our children reach their full potential.

If you have questions about your child’s health or would like to request BMI results, please contact your child’s school nurse. Follow us on Facebook for health facts and VBSD Health Services announcements.