"School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement and health of students.  To that end, school nurses (RNs) facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety, including a healthy environment, intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning" (NASN, 2010c). MISD school nurses manage student medical problems, ensure that school immunization status is maintained according to state guidelines, ensure that state health screening guidelines have been carried out; manage medication administration in schools, and assist students to access family health resources as needed. 

Exclusion Criteria

The guidelines below have been developed for the exclusion of students who have or are suspected of having a communicable illness.  These regulations are in compliance with the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Austin Public Health. 

Do not send your scholars to school if they are ill with:   

• Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or any condition that presents with fever - students will be excluded until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
•  Diarrheal illnesses - students will be excluded until they are diarrhea free for 24 hours without the use of diarrhea suppressing medications
•  Vomiting, especially if accompanied by symptoms, such as headache, fever, stiff neck, disorientation and sleepiness
•  Painful muscle spasms and stiffness of head, neck, and jaw that are unrelated to an injury
•  Undetermined/Undiagnosed rash over any part of the body or scaly patches on the body or scalp  
•  Red, draining eyes
•  Open, draining lesions or wounds
•  Jaundice or yellowing of the skin or eyes
•  Other signs and symptoms that may indicate a communicable illness

The school administrator/principal, nurse or designee will notify the student's parents or guardian that the student is to be excluded for health reasons.
It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to transport the student from school to his/her home or physician.

Should your child demonstrate the following symptoms of Covid-19, which are:

Fever                                  Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

Fatigue                                Muscle or body aches

Headache                            New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat                          Congestion or runny nose

Nausea or vomiting              Diarrhea

or have tested postive for Covid-19 we ask that you please keep them home and to contact your scholars campus nurse for additional guidance on when your scholar is clear to return to school.  

Parent-Guardian Medication Authorization Form