Health Services
Dear Parents/Guardians:
We believe the ability for students to learn is directly associated with their health and well-being. The School Health Services Department strives to keep all students healthy. A healthy child will learn better. The following procedures will assist our efforts to keep our students healthy, and ready to learn.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION: Please complete and sign a Consent for Medical Treatment form. Please notify the nurse immediately when information on the student’s consent form has changed. Changes may include address, telephone numbers, work number, food allergies, and the student’s health status.
IMMUNIZATIONS: As required by State law immunizations are required for children attending Texas schools. A notice will be sent home with your child if he/she needs an immunization, or if an updated record is needed. As required by state law, your child must have a current immunization record on file to remain in school. The following link lists the current requirements:
www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES: Please notify the clinic immediately if your child has contracted a communicable disease (COVID-19, flu, chicken pox, mumps, measles, etc.) or if you are unsure whether your child has a communicable disease. Students need to report to the clinic upon their return to school after they have been absent due to a communicable disease.
HEALTH POLICY: When your child is ill, please contact the school to let us know he or she will not be attending that day. State rules require schools to exclude students with certain illnesses from school for certain periods of time. For example, if a child has a fever over 100 degrees, he or she must stay out of school until fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications. Students with diarrheal illnesses must stay home until they are diarrhea-free without use of diarrhea suppressing medications for 24 hours. A parent should contact the school nurse if a student has been diagnosed with COVID-19. A full list of conditions which the school must exclude children from school can be obtained from the school nurse. The school nurse can answer any questions for parents concerned about whether their child should stay home.
MEDICATIONS: Students are not allowed to carry medications or to self-administer their medications on the campus except under certain circumstances (Asthma inhalers, EpiPens); consult with the school nurse for more information. If your child is required to take prescribed medication during school hours, you and the medical practitioner must sign a completed permission form. Only medication, in its original container and properly labeled and prescribed
by a practitioner licensed to practice in Texas, will be administered during school hours. Medications prescribed and/or purchased from foreign countries cannot be administered. Please contact the school nurse for medication administration forms.
P.E. (Physical Education)
EXCUSES: A note stating the reason the student needs a P.E. excuse must be sent to the clinic before the student goes to P.E. A medical practitioner’s note is required if the student needs to be excused from P.E. for more than three days.
PASS TO NURSE’S OFFICE: Students must first report to class and obtain a pass to the clinic from the teacher to prevent the student from being tardy or absent. Students will not be allowed in the clinic without a pass between classes unless it is an emergency. You will be contacted if your child needs to be taken home; you must sign your child out at the school’s designated office (e.g., attendance).
Please contact me if you have any health-related questions or concerns regarding your child. Thank you in advance for your time and assistance regarding these matters.
With Care,
Meredith Bowers BSN, RN
Taft ISD District Nurse
361-528-2636 ext.5623
Local Health Department
San Patricio County Department of Health
313 North Rachal Street
Sinton, Texas 78387
Phone number: 361-364-3531
Area served: San Patricio County