School Health Information
Welcome to the NKCPS School Health Information page. Here you will find some helpful forms, links, and information to be used when your student has a health care need that may occur during the school day. Please contact your student's school nurse with any questions.
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Health Forms
Please select the relevant form by clicking on the title below. This will load a PDF for you to complete. Forms are listed alphabetically.
- Adrenal Insufficiency Action Plan
- Asthma Action Plan (Virginia)
- Certificate of Religious Exemption
- Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form
- Diabetes Medical Management Plan
- Emergency Allergy and Anaphylaxis Plan
- Food Allergy Questionnaire, Action Plan, and Permission Forms
- Individualized Action Plan/Medical Orders for Special Health Care Needs
- Medication Permission Form
- Seizure Action Plan
- Yearly Health History Update/Clinic Record
Immunization Requirements
KINDERGARTEN ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, or Tdap)
A minimum of 4 properly spaced doses. A child must have at least one dose of DTaP or DTP vaccine on or after the fourth birthday. DT (Diphtheria, Tetanus) vaccine is required for children who are medically exempt from the pertussis-containing vaccine (DTaP or DTP).
Polio (IPV) Vaccine
A minimum of 4 doses of polio vaccine. One dose must be administered on or after the fourth birthday.
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A minimum of 2 measles, 2 mumps, and 1 rubella. (Most children receive 2 doses of each because the vaccine usually administered is the combination vaccine MMR). The first dose must be administered at age 12 months or older. The second dose of vaccine must be administered prior to entering kindergarten but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
A complete series of 3 properly spaced doses of hepatitis B vaccine are required for all children. However, the FDA has approved a 2-dose schedule ONLY for adolescents 11-15 years of age AND ONLY when the Merck Brand (RECOMBIVAX HB) Adult Formulation Hepatitis B Vaccine is used. If the 2-dose schedule is used for adolescents 11-15 years of age it must be clearly documented on the school form.
Hepatitis A (HAV) Vaccine
Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of Hepatitis A vaccine. The first dose should be administered at age 12 months or older.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine
A minimum of 1 dose must be given for all children starting kindergarten before fall 2010 and 2 doses must be given for all children starting kindergarten afterward. The first dose must be given on or after the first birthday and the second dose must be given before entering kindergarten. (Exception: the school shall accept medical documentation of the disease.)
7TH GRADE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Tdap
A booster dose of Tdap vaccine is required for all children prior to entering 7th grade. If the Tdap vaccine has been given after the age of 7 years, the requirement is met.
Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine
Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of MenACWY vaccine. The first dose should be administered prior to entering 7th grade. The final dose should be administered prior to entering 12th grade.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Effective July 1, 2021, a complete series of 2 doses of HPV vaccine is required for students entering the 7th grade. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters the 7th grade. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parent's or guardian's sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
12TH GRADE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine
Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of MenACWY vaccine. The first dose should be administered prior to entering 7th grade. The final dose should be administered prior to entering 12th grade.
Screenings
Mandatory Screenings
Speech, language, motor development, hearing, and vision are integral parts of student success in school. To complete this requirement, New Kent County Public Schools will conduct speech-language, hearing, vision, and motor development screenings during the first part of school. In addition, vision and hearing screenings will be assessed on all students who are newly enrolled in NKCPS, and students in grades K, 3, 7, and 10. The speech pathologist, school nurse, clinic attendant, physical education teachers, and other appropriate school personnel will complete these screenings. It is through this screening process that potential problems can be identified and addressed prior to any adverse effect on school performance. You will be notified of the screening process results only if the need for further evaluation is indicated.
Recommended Screening: Scoliosis
Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the spine. While the normal spine has gentle natural curves that round the shoulders and make the lower back curve inward, scoliosis involves a deformity of the spinal column and rib cage. To varying degrees, the spine curves from side-to-side, and some of the spinal bones may rotate slightly, making the hips or shoulders appear uneven. This curving of the spine cannot be corrected by practicing good posture. It occurs in healthy school-age children, showing signs usually during the ages of 11 and older, when a growth spurt may occur. Students in this age range should be checked for scoliosis during their yearly health assessment by their pediatrician. The majority of scoliosis cases are caused from an unknown source. This condition may run in families and is seen more often in girls than boys. A large number of young people have minor curves that will not progress. Early screening and treatment may prevent scoliosis from progressing to a stage where it interferes with mobility or activities.
The type of treatment depends on the cause and how severe the curve. Most curves remain small and need only to be monitored by the doctor for signs of progression. If a curve does progress, your physician may use an orthopedic brace to prevent it from worsening. Children who require the use of a brace can continue to participate in all social and physical activities. If a scoliosis curve is severe when first seen, or if treatment with a brace is ineffective, surgery may be necessary. In these cases, surgery has been found to be a highly effective and safe treatment.
If you have questions related to this information, follow up with your student’s doctor or their school nurse.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
The School Health Services department works closely with the Chickahominy Health District to prevent disease transmission and maintain a healthy school environment. Parents and guardians can support these efforts by following the recommendations made in the answers to the frequently asked questions.
Q. When should I keep my child home from school?
A. When your child complains of being sick and has symptoms like sore throat, head cold, diarrhea, vomiting, or has had a fever greater than 100.0°F, in the last 24 hours, your child should remain at home. Keeping your child home when he or she is sick will permit your child time to recover and reduce the spread of illness to others. Please call and inform the school when your child is absent due to illness. If your child needs a dose of medication for the above symptoms in the morning, they need to stay at home. PLEASE DO NOT send your child to school after having had a dose of Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) in the morning to reduce a fever, the effects will wear off during the school day and the fever will return. A more difficult call is when your child complains of being sick in the morning, but you do not see any symptoms. You will then need to use your best judgment.
Q. When reporting my child is sick, what should I report to school?
A. Let us know what is wrong with your child. Instead of saying he is sick, please be specific with symptoms such as a fever, vomiting and diarrhea or she has a head cold, etc. This will allow us to better keep track of the types of illnesses currently in the school. Please let us know if your child has been admitted to the hospital. Let us know when your physician informs you that your child has a contagious illness such as strep throat, mononucleosis, hepatitis A, pinworms, meningitis, shigella, ringworm, scabies, flu, or any of the childhood illnesses (chicken pox, scarlet fever or fifth disease).
Q. What is the policy for sending children home from school?
A. In general, children will be sent home if the illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in school activities or if the illness poses a risk of spread of disease to others. This includes children who are complaining of nausea, vomiting, stomachache, headache, sore throat and who appear sick (for example: sleeping, laying around quietly, not talking or interacting with others in the clinic). Children will be sent home with an oral fever at or above 100°F. Children may not ride the school bus home. Children must be fever-free (without taking fever-reducing medication) for 24 hours before returning to school. Children with conjunctivitis (pink eye) with drainage, rash due to possible communicable disease, open draining sores with pus will also be sent home. Children may be referred to their private health provider for further evaluation.
Q. When will children not be sent home?
A. Children will not be sent home who are complaining of nausea, vomiting, stomachache, headache, or sore throat, but who do not appear sick when lying down in the clinic (playful, talkative and active in the clinic).
Q. When my child has been home sick, when can he or she return to school?
A. Once the symptoms have stopped and the child is fever-free (oral temperature less than 100°F) for 24 hours, your child may return to school. If your child has had a fever the evening/night before, please do not send them back to school in the morning even if the temperature is down first thing in the morning. Often early morning temperatures are a degree or two below what it will be by afternoon.
Q. When will I be called by school health services staff?
A. You will be called if your child is sick (vomiting, diarrhea, temperature over 100°F), has head lice, or when a problem that has not been previously identified by you, is brought to the attention of the school clinic staff. For instance, if a child comes to the clinic with an unidentified rash that has not been previously noticed, the child states that the parent has not seen it because it just started, a parent will be called. Parents will also be called for any injuries of significance (small scrapes will be treated without calling), any changes in known health conditions, and any health conditions that are not responding as expected to medications/treatments provided in the clinic. We may also call because there is a concern about a behavior or behavior change seen in your child. If you are concerned about a particular aspect of your child's health/safety or would like to be notified regarding something in particular, please talk with your school nurse or clinic attendant so the two of you can work closely together for the benefit of your child.
Q. Why is it important to complete the Student Health History form each year?
A. Students may develop new health conditions or health needs during this period of rapid growth. It is important to provide clinic staff with the most up-to-date health information on your student at the beginning of each school year. This will assist staff in providing the best health care possible given each student’s individual medical needs. Updating the Student Health History form yearly also provides the clinic with current emergency contact information to assist in reaching a parent or guardian. If it becomes necessary to call an ambulance, and you cannot be reached, the child's current health history provides critical information to emergency personnel. If you have not completed a Health History form for the current school year, please ask the school nurse or clinic attendant for a form.
Q. Where can I get information about healthcare providers if my child does not have insurance?
A. CLICK HERE to learn more about FAMIS or contact your student's school nurse.
Q. What are the school health protocols for head lice?
A. NKCPS understands parents' and guardians' concerns regarding the topic of head lice and school attendance. Guidelines developed by the CDC and upheld by the Virginia Department of Health are followed when caring for students with head lice. The CDC's guidance has not changed—you do not need to send students with head lice infestation home early from school. Students with lice can go home at the end of the day, be treated, and return to class after beginning appropriate treatment. Nits may stay in hair after treatment, but successful treatment will kill crawling lice.
Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) advocate to discontinue "no-nit" policies (a child being free of nits before returning to school) for the following reasons:
- Many nits are more than ¼ inch from the scalp and are unlikely to hatch to become crawling lice, or may in fact be empty shells (i.e., casings).
- Nits bond to hair shafts and are very unlikely to transfer to other people.
- Unnecessary days off cause a burden to the students, families, and communities, and far outweighs the risks associated with head lice.
- Misdiagnosis of nits is very common during nit checks conducted by nonmedical professionals.
Explore the following links to learn more: CDC on Providing Care for Individuals with Head Lice, VDH Communicable Disease Reference Chart (see page 8), CDC on the Treatment of Head Lice, and the VDH Pediculosis (Head Lice Infestation) Fact Sheet.
Q. The school has called me and informed me that my student has head lice. Should I pick them up now?
A. Your student's head may be itchy, and they may not be comfortable. Picking them up from school, and beginning the appropriate treatment as soon as possible is your choice; however, picking them up from school is not a mandate. They can return to school the following day, after appropriate treatment is initiated.