Health Office Rules

Spencer-Owen Community Schools Health Services

Health Concerns for Students

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Please review this letter containing rules concerning your child’s health at school. Our health office protocols are governed by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH). We look forward to working with you in meeting your child’s medical needs at school. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

UPDATE IMPORTANT CONTACT INFO: Please ensure that we have your current phone numbers to reach you should your child become injured or ill. Please update us if your number changes at any time throughout the year. We go by the numbers parents input into Final Forms, so please update changes as soon as possible.

RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES (COVID, INFLUENZA, RSV, etc): It is now recommended to isolate at home away from others when contracting these infections. Individuals can return to normal activities when their symptoms are improving, overall, and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine. Upon returning to school, wearing a mask for 5 days is encouraged, but not required. If your child is unable to cover their cough, they may need to be sent home to prevent potential spread of illness.

IMMUNIZATIONS-SHOTS: Indiana law requires that students maintain up-to-date vaccinations, a doctor’s written medical exemption, or a religious objection form. All objections must be renewed each school year. Forms are available in the nurse’s office. Letters will be sent home if your child is missing immunizations.

FEVER: A child cannot attend school with a fever of 100°F or greater. Children must stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone. This means their temperature remains below 100°F for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine.

VOMITING OR DIARRHEA: A child cannot attend school with active vomiting or diarrhea. Children must stay home for 24 hours after vomiting and diarrhea are gone. This means vomiting or diarrhea must be resolved for 24 hours without medicine. If your child has a condition that causes non-infectious vomiting or diarrhea (ex. medication side effects, laxative use, IBS), please contact the corporation nurse to discuss the best course of action for your child.

ALLERGIES: Children’s allergies should be noted on their enrollment in Final Forms. If allergies are multiple or severe, please talk to the nursing staff at your child’s school. If an EPI-PEN is required, we need to have your child’s Epi-pen available in the nurse’s office.

MEDICATIONS: If a child needs to take medicine daily, or as needed, at school, it must be given by the nursing staff. A parent must transport the medicine to school, in the pharmacy-labeled bottle, and the parent must sign an authorization form in the nurse’s office. A doctor statement of dosing and frequency given is necessary if administered at school. Some children may carry their emergency medicine, such as an inhaler, but a doctor’s statement authorizing the student to do so is required.

INFECTION/ANTIBIOTIC: If a child needs an antibiotic, they must be on it for 24 hours before returning to school. Exceptions exist, so please contact the corporation nurse to discuss your child’s situation.

HEAD LICE: Our school has a “no bugs” policy. If any child is found to have live lice, they will need to be sent home to be treated. They should not ride the bus until they are cleared of lice and active nits. After the hair is treated, the parent must bring the child back to be checked in the nurse’s office before returning to the classroom

Sarah Wall, BSN, RN

Corporation Nurse

Email: swall@socs.k12.in.us

Phone: 812-828-6000, ext 8300

Tammy Siscoe, LPN
Asst Corporation Nurse

OVHS Nurse

Email: tsiscoe@socs.k12.in.us

Phone: 812-829-2266, ext 6306

Kara Polich, CMA

OVMS Medical Assistant

Email: kpolich@socs.k12.in.us

Phone: 812-829-2249, ext. 5147