Medical Conditions

  • Some students come to school with diverse medical conditions that may impact their learning as well as their health. Some of these conditions are serious and may be life-threatening, some are simply conditions that affect the child's everyday life activities. Parents must inform the school nurse of any health concerns a child has that might require special attention. 

    These might include diabetes, asthma, severe allergies (such as peanuts or bee stings), hearing/vision loss, mobility issues, etc.

    The school nurse may be a valuable resource for the family, school staff, and CSE committee in cases where children have special health needs. 

    Alternatively, some students may benefit from having a plan for accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ("a 504 plan"). Please ask your school nurse, school principal, or school social worker and psychologist if you believe this would benefit your child.

    The school nurse will plan with the parent(s) for daily care and/or emergencies. Please call the school nurse to bring this to their attention. A phone or face-to-face conversation with the school nurse is the most effective way to notify them and gives the opportunity for discussion of your child's needs.

    All students within the District with known life-threatening conditions should have a comprehensive plan of care in place: an Emergency Care Plan (ECP) and/or Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP). 

    If deemed appropriate, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. 

    Please remember - in order for us to plan appropriate care, we must know about your child's special health condition - so please come in and talk to us!

    Potentially Life-Threatening Health Conditions

    Some students in our district have been diagnosed with potentially life-threatening conditions, such as severe allergies. Some chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, seizure disorders, asthma, sickle cell anemia, etc.) are associated with occasional serious symptoms, such as very low/high blood sugar, difficulty breathing, etc. For these students, it is essential that the District work cooperatively with the parent(s) and the student's private healthcare provider to:

    1. Develop an Emergency Care Plan (ECP) for each at-risk student to ensure that all appropriate personnel are aware of the student's potential for a life-threatening situation;

    2. If appropriate, develop an Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) that includes all necessary treatments, medications, training and educational requirements for the student. If the student is eligible for accommodations based upon the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act, the appropriate procedures will be followed regarding evaluation and identification;

    3. Provide training by licensed medical personnel (e.g., registered professional nurse) for all adults in a supervisory role in the recognition and emergency management of a specific medical condition for the student;

    4. Obtain specific legal documents duly executed in accordance with New York State law; appropriate written orders from the student's healthcare provider that include the frequency and conditions for any testing and/or treatment, symptoms, and treatment of any conditions associated with the health problem; and directions for emergencies;

    5. Secure written parental permission and discuss parental responsibility, which includes providing the healthcare provider's orders, providing any necessary equipment, and participating in the education and co-management of the child as he/she works toward self-management;

    6. Allow self-directed students, as assessed by the school nurse, to carry life-saving medication with prior approval by the medical provider and according to health practice and procedures, as long as duplicate life-saving medication is also maintained in the health office in the event the self-carrying student misplaces the medication;

    7. Assure appropriate and reasonable building accommodations are in place within a reasonable degree of medical certainty.

    In addition, the District will:

    1. Provide training in the recognition of an anaphylactic reaction for all staff who directly supervise a student having a known life-threatening health condition;

    2. Have standing emergency medical protocols for nursing staff;

    3. Request that the School Medical Director write a non-patient-specific order for anaphylaxis treatment agents for the school's registered professional nurse to administer in the event of an unanticipated anaphylactic episode;

    4. As permitted by New York State law, maintain stock supplies of life-saving emergency medications such as epinephrine in all health offices for use in first-time emergencies;

    5. Ensure that building-level and district-wide school safety plans include appropriate accommodations for students with life-threatening health conditions;

    6. Encourage families to obtain medical-alert bracelets for at-risk students;

    7. Educate students regarding the importance of immediately reporting symptoms of an allergic reaction.

    Any care plans or physical restrictions your child may have will need a PCP order. 

    Allergies

    If the student(s) has an allergy, the following NEEDS to be completed/updated annually and returned to the school health office:

    Food Allergy Health History Form - Completed by parents

    Allergy Action Plan - Completed by PCP or Specialist (most specialist offices will send their own form, which the district does accept). 

    • This will have medication orders and guidance for actions we need to take.  Even if they have a simple shellfish allergy and you say they will need to avoid exposure, we need this documented by PCP. 

    If it’s not a true allergy but a sensitivity like lactose intolerance, and you want us to monitor the student's consumption or provide an alternative (e.g.: soy milk), we need a PCP note. 

    If the child has orders for an EpiPen or Benadryl and wants to carry this medication, you will need to provide a medication order from a Primary Care Provider (PCP) along with attestation and parental permission guide stating the child understands the medication regulations and has been attested by the PCP to be eligible to carry this medication. 

    Once these documents are received, the student may be allowed to carry their medication (contingent on the nurse’s Screening for Determination of Self-Carry of the student's ability to do so safely).

     It is best to get 2 of everything:

    - One for the nurses' office

    - One for them to carry.  

    Asthma

    If the student(s) has asthma, the following NEEDS to be completed and returned to the school health office:

    Asthma Care Plan - Completed by PCP or Specialist (most specialist offices will send their own form, which the district does accept). 

    • This will provide the school nurse with orders and guidance.  

    • This needs to be done annually. 

    • If the parents want the student to carry this medication, you will need to provide a medication order from a Primary Care Provider (PCP) along with attestation and parental permission guide stating the child understands the medication regulations and has been attested by the PCP to be eligible to carry this medication. 

    • Once these documents are received, the student may be allowed to carry their medication (contingent on the nurse’s Screening for Determination of Self-Carry of the student's ability to do so safely).

    Seizures

    If the student(s) has a seizure disorder, the following NEEDS to be completed and returned to the school health office

    Seizure Health History Form - Completed by the Parents

    Seizure Care Plan - Completed by PCP or Specialist (most specialist offices will send their own form, which the district does accept). 

    The school nurse will notify the appropriate staff of the order and help determine the need for aid if applicable, which LCSD will provide.  

    Notify the school nurse of any pertinent information surrounding a seizure episode, all you can about events leading up to the seizure, are they aware, do they feel unusual, cold, hot, etc…  If awareness at all, sitting down prior to an event is ideal.  We should have an annually updated care plan.

    When to Keep Students Home

    Parents need to know when not to send students to school (e.g.: fever above 100.4 that has not been medicated, vomiting, diarrhea, bad colds, flu, etc.). If you are in doubt, please call the school nurse for guidance.

    The school nurse will keep the students and observe them when they have mild symptoms of discomfort (e.g.; stomachache, headache, maybe vomiting if not infectious, simple abrasions, lacerations, etc.).  

    See when to keep a student home link.

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    Other Medical Conditions

    If there are any medical conditions:

    • Ask for a note from their PCP which will identify, explain, and give guidance to the school nurse (e.g.: Medical orders, Physical Education (PE) restrictions, etc.).  

    Single Organ (Kidney, Testicle, Vision)

    We need a PCP order identifying the condition and any restrictions or modifications.  For a vision deficit, this can be an ophthalmologist or an optometrist.  

    Vision Deficit

    If the vision deficit is over 20/80 in one eye, the student will need to wear safety glasses in school for sports and gym to protect the good eye.  

    We recommend a comprehensive eye exam in Kindergarten to find any vision deficits (See Vision Screening Form).  

    A common problem is a lazy eye that may be able to be corrected before the age of 7. After that, it is very unusual to be able to correct this.  

    Once the child has a vision deficit, it is our goal to protect the eye which provides good vision for the child.  

    We will make the gym teacher and teacher aware that safety glasses are required so they are protected from injury, but it is up to the student to wear the glasses prescribed during activity that can be dangerous to the other eye.  

    Testicle

    If the PCP orders a protective cup or guard, then the parent and student should provide this and wear it during gym class.  

    Kidney

    LCSD restricts all contact sports from any student with a single kidney functioning.  The PCP should be given a Modified PE Form (Elementary Restrictive PE Form) (HS/MS Restrictive PE Form)  to fill out with specific restrictions.  Once this is received at the elementary grade level, we will follow all the guidance from a PCP in this matter.  They may order a kidney guard to be used over the remaining functioning kidney. This should be provided by parents and worn if ordered. 

    If the student wants to play competitive contact sports, LCSD requires a note from a Nephrologist allowing a student to play any contact sport and the District Office reserves the right to approve or disapprove of playing the contact sport.  A team of advisors will evaluate the request including the Medical Director, Administration, School Lawyer and any additional members as needed.

    Injuries

    If your child is injured and has been restricted in activity in any way, we need a note from your Healthcare Provider (HCP), or specialist (Elementary Restrictive PE Form) (HS/MS Restrictive PE Form). This may include a fracture, sprain, crutches, wheelchair, stitches, etc…  

    LCSD Nurses can only accept a medical note from Healthcare providers (MD, DO, NP, PA, PT) per NYSED regulations. 

    Once we have a note restricting your child we will inform the PE teachers, coaches or teachers as necessary.  Once your child is released to resume full activity we will need a note from your HCP releasing them for full activity.  

    At the HS level, students need to receive 2 credits in PE to graduate in NYS.  If your child is restricted from playing all sports, they will be required to make this time up.  But if your child has only been modified in PE, then these requirements are achieved.  For example, if your child has a broken arm, your PCP may order your child to walk during gym, or if they have a broken leg they may be able to do upper body exercises.  We want to encourage our students to stay active and engaged in activities in PE and ask you to try to get a modified note for PE whenever possible.   

    Concussions

    If your child has had a concussion (See Concussion Checklist), we will need:

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    The Unexpected

    For any other medical injury or disorder that should come up, we require orders from your PCP to give the school nurse guidance as to care, medication orders, restrictions, etc… Please call with any questions at 518-642-3684.