Important Health Info

The Board may provide limited student health services to address minor medical issues that arise during the school day, while also supporting students with special or chronic health conditions.
It is the parents' responsibility to notify the child’s school nurse directly if an emergency plan is needed for chronic illnesses.

Emergencies: School officials are empowered to take reasonable and appropriate actions to provide or coordinate emergency medical care for students requiring immediate attention. After ensuring the comfort and/or stability of an injured child, the school will notify the parent, guardian, or emergency contact.

Illnesses or injuries (non-emergent): Standard first aid procedures may be administered. The Superintendent is authorized to establish and implement procedures, rules, and regulations governing the administration and management of medications in schools, as well as the prevention of communicable diseases, in accordance with state law and applicable health standards.

Acute or contagious illnesses: Parents or guardians will be notified and may be required to promptly remove their child from school. The school cannot allow students to stay if they have fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a suspected contagious disease. If a parent or guardian is unavailable, the principal or school nurse is authorized to contact the Department of Public Health.

Fever - A child with a temperature of 100 or above should remain at home until he/she is fever-free for a full 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Vomiting and /or diarrhea - Students should not attend school if he/she has had vomiting and/or diarrhea (or medication to stop/ prevent such) in the last 24 hours.

Rashes - Unknown or undiagnosed rashes should be reviewed by a medical provider. Proof of non-contagious status may be required for school attendance.

Head Lice -If head lice are suspected or confirmed, the student or class may be checked. If lice are found, the following steps will be taken with care and sensitivity:

1. The child will be removed from class, and a parent or guardian will be contacted to take the child home for treatment.

2. After the first treatment and manual removal of nits, the parent must bring the child to school and stay while a school official conducts a recheck. If nits are still present, the child will need to return home for further treatment before coming back to school.

3. A second inspection will be done by a school official 7–10 days later.

4. All personal information (names of students, parents, staff, and school) will remain confidential.

Head lice treatment information will be provided to all parents upon request.

Communicable Disease Exclusion Chart

Students entering Alabama’s public or private schools are required by law to have on file an appropriate Alabama Certificate of Immunization or Certificate of Exemption. This documentation is necessary to ensure that our students are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. All immunization records must be kept up to date.

CDC Immunizations

ADPH Immunizations

Heavy backpacks can contribute to back pain and spinal strain in students. Muscle Shoals City Schools encourages families to check backpack weight regularly and keep it under 10% of a child’s body weight.

Students should use backpacks with wide, padded, adjustable straps and multiple compartments, and should wear both shoulder straps when carrying them. Teachers are encouraged to use handouts and workbooks to help reduce the number of heavy books students take home, and the district will continue expanding access to e-textbooks as funding allows.

Act #2017-19

Backpack Safety

Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria. It is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2-18 years old in the United States.

Flyer

Vaccine Info

Jessica Elkins Act- #2014-274

Muscle Shoals City School students are allowed and encouraged to possess and apply federal Food and Drug Administration regulated over-the-counter sunscreen at school and at school-based events. If a student, parent, or guardian requests a school employee to apply the sunscreen, a Parent Prescriber Authorization Form containing a parent or guardian signature will be required.  A physician signature or order will not be required.  

Sunscreen Act #2017-278

1. All medication (prescription and nonprescription) for students in grades K–12 must be brought to the nurse by an adult. Students may not carry medication, except with prior approval for emergency medication such as inhalers, Epinephrine, Benadryl, or certain seizure medication.

2. Controlled substances (e.g., ADD/ADHD medication) will be inventoried by the nurse or trained staff when received.

3. A completed medication authorization form must be on file before school staff can give any medication. Short-term, nonprescription medication requires a parent/guardian signature; prescription medication and OTC medication needed for more than two weeks require both doctor and parent signatures.

• The form must state why the medication is needed. Medication will only be given for that reason.
• A new form is required for any medication change. The school and doctor may fax forms if needed.

5. Medication prescribed once daily should be taken at home. Twice-daily medication should be given at home in the morning and evening. Three times daily: before school, after school, and at night. Lunchtime doses are an exception. Discuss any special needs with the nurse.

6. Prescription medication must be in the original pharmacy-labeled bottle, matching the information on the release form. Ask your pharmacist for a second labeled bottle if needed.

7. Nonprescription medication must be in the original, unopened container with the student’s name on it. It will only be given as labeled unless the doctor provides different instructions. Medication in other containers will not be given.

9. First doses (or first doses of new dosages) must be given at home, except in emergencies.

10. An adult must pick up unused medication. Any left after the last day of school will be discarded. No medication will be kept over summer break.

These guidelines are in place to help keep all students safe and healthy during the school day. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the school nurse.