School Health Policies
In this section:
OSSD BOT Policy JGCD - Student Health Services -- Medicines requires any student who is required to take medication, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, during regular school hours, must comply with school regulations.
- Written permission is to be provided by the parent or guardian requesting that the school district comply with the physician's order for all prescribed medication. The medication permission request form is to be filled out stating: name of medication, dosage to be given, time medication is to be given, number of days to be given, and any other special instruction.
- Medication is to be given to the student by the nurse, principal/designee, provided that the prescribing physician submits medication permission in writing.
- Medication is to be brought to and signed into the nurse or principal/designee by the parent/guardian or an adult designated by the parent/guardian in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician. Over-the-counter medication is to be provided by the parent and brought to the nurse or principal/designee in the original container with the child's name clearly labeled on the container. Under no circumstances are students allowed to bring medication to school or take medication home from school.
- The principal will designate the staff member(s) to administer the prescribed or over-the-counter medicine to the student. The person designated to administer the medication will document the medicine log each time the medicine is given.
- A locked cabinet or drawer is provided for the storage of prescribed medication.
- Communication between the parent, school personnel, and physician regarding the effectiveness of the medication administered during school hours is encouraged.
- The nurse or principal/designee of the school will notify the parent/guardian as quickly as possible when the student taking the prescribed or over-the-counter medication shows signs of having an adverse reaction to the medication. (The parent's current telephone number(s) must be available on the student's emergency procedure card which is located in the school office).
- In the event emergency medical treatment is required for any student and the school is unable to contact the parent/guardian by telephone within a reasonable period of time, the parent/guardian consents to and gives authority to school officials to secure the required treatment for the child/ward. The statement for emergency medical treatment is on the student's emergency procedure card. The written consent for emergency medical treatment by the parent/guardian also includes a statement of understanding that the parent/guardian accepts sole responsibility for payment of such medical costs incurred.
- Non-prescription medication (i.e., aspirin, Tylenol, cold medicine, cough drops, homeopathic or herbal medication/preparation, etc.) will not be given to a student by school personnel without prior written permission from a physician. Non-prescription medication must be provided by the parent or guardian as indicated in item #3 above.
- OSSD recognizes that some students have medical conditions which require that the student possess certain medical supplies in order to immediately treat their condition. Therefore, students shall be allowed to possess items such as inhalers, epi-pens, medical supplies, and medications if the student presents to the district a written statement from a licensed physician which documents the need for the student to possess the medical supply and/or medication as well as verification that the student has been directed on its use. In addition to the physician's statement, the student's parents shall execute the district medication permission request form.
- § 37-11-71 - Mississippi Asthma and Anaphylaxis Child Safety Act and OSSD BOT Policy JGCDA - Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications. This policy states that schools can maintain a supply of EPIPENs. These will be used for emergencies only.
- OSSD does not allow the use of medical cannabis while on OSSD property as defined by MS Code § 97-37-17 (1) (a).
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According to MS Code § 41-23-37, it is unlawful for any child to attend any public or private school, including kindergarten, unless the child has been vaccinated against those diseases specified by the State Health Officials. The required vaccinations for students in grades PreK4 - 12 are as follows:
| Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertusis | DTaP | 5 doses | Kindergarten |
| Polio | IPV | 4 doses | Kindergarten |
| Hepatitis | Hep B | 3 doses | Kindergarten |
| Measles/Mumps/Rubella/Varicella | MMRV | 2 doses | Kindergarten |
| Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertusis | Tdap | 1 dose | 7th Grade |
Vaccinations may be received at the Jackson County Health Department or at the office of a physician. In all cases, only certificates of vaccination issued on forms specified by the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) will be acceptable by school officials by showing compliance with the immunization requirements. Parents whose children have previously been vaccinated at the County Health Department or at the physician's office still must obtain a certificate of vaccination for their children. See OSSD BOT Policy JGCB - Student Health Services Inoculations.
Beginning with the 1993-94 school year, MSDH requires that all children entering an elementary or secondary school for the first time must have proof of two (2) doses of MMR vaccine. The first dose must be on or after the first birthday and the second dose must be at least 30 days later than the first. The only exceptions are:
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Children with a documented history of physician-diagnosed measles or serologic evidence of immunity to measles; or
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Children with a valid Certificate of Medical Exception (Form 122).
A medical exemption may be recommended by the child's physician and must be approved by the local health officer. Valid contraindications to the MMRV vaccine are rare. Two (2) doses of MMRV vaccine are recommended for all other school children.
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Medical Exemptions
To request a medical exemption from one or more required vaccinations, the MSDH Medical Exemption Request (Form 139-M) must be completed and signed by the child's pediatrician, family physician, or internist who is duly licensed in Mississippi. Children receiving specialized or tertiary care outside of the state may have medical exemption requests completed and signed by their tertiary care physician.
All exemptions submitted by a Mississippi licensed pediatrician, family physician, or internist will be accepted based on the Medical Exemption guidelines below. Medical exemption requests completed and signed by a tertiary care physician outside of the state will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Review of all medical exemption requests will be conducted at the Mississippi State Department of Health by the State Epidemiologist or Deputy State Epidemiologist.
Religious Exemptions
To request a religious exemption from one or more required vaccinations for Mississippi school entry, the parent or guardian must complete the MSDH Religious Exemption Request (Form 139-R) and submit to the County Health Department.
A review of all religious exemption requests for completeness will be conducted at the Mississippi State Department of Health. Complete Religious exemption requests submitted per MSDH policy will be accepted and signed by the State Epidemiologist or Deputy State Epidemiologist. Once the request is reviewed and accepted, a Certificate of Medical/Religious Exemption (Form 122) will be issued. Only the Form 122 signed and dated by the State Epidemiologist or Deputy State Epidemiologist provides official, documented proof that a child has been issued a medical/religious exemption by MSDH. The original Form 122 will be housed at MSDH with a copy mailed to the parent and the daycare or school indicated on the Religious Exemption Request Form.
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Vision and Hearing
As a means of determining whether vision and/or hearing problems are the cause of a child’s lack of success in the regular program, a teacher may recommend a vision and/or hearing examination of a student. Vision and hearing screenings are conducted yearly on all kindergarten and 3rd grade students. 1st Grade students not registered in kindergarten will be screened. These examinations are done by qualified personnel under the supervision of health services. See OSSD BOT Policy JGC - Student Health Services.
Head Lice Examination
Students will be checked periodically for head lice as determined by the principal. The classroom teacher will do the first screening and have all suspected cases rechecked by the school nurse. The OSSD BOT Policy JGCC - Communicable Diseases regarding head lice is based on recommended guidelines by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of School Nurses, and the Harvard School of Public Health. If live lice are observed, then parents will be asked to pick up their student and begin treatment. Once treatment has been verified (signing of the document sent home with the child as well as proof of treatment), the child will be allowed to return to school.
Upon return, school staff will re-examine the student before the child returns to the classroom. The student will be examined again in 7-10 days by school staff to confirm the absence of lice and nits. If only nits (lice eggs) are observed, the student may remain in school for the balance of the day, parents will be notified and information will be sent home advising how to address the condition. Once treatment has been verified (signing of the document sent home with the child and proof of treatment), the child will be allowed to return to school. Upon return, school staff will re-examine the student before the child returns to the classroom.
The student will be examined again in 7-10 days by school staff to confirm the absence of lice and nits. The county health department will be notified of a recurring head lice problem with a student if the student has three (3) consecutive occasions during one (1) school year. The principal or administrator shall not allow the child to attend school until proof of treatment is obtained. MS Code 41-79-21. See OSSD BOT Policy JGC - Student Health Services.
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OSSD works cooperatively with the Mississippi Health Department to prevent, control, and contain communicable diseases in schools. Students are expected to be in compliance with the required immunization schedule. The building principal is required under Section §41-23-37 to exclude students from school attendance who are out of compliance with the immunizations required by this act. School personnel cooperates with public health personnel in completing and coordinating all immunization data, waivers, and exclusions, including the necessary Immunization Assessment Program Forms, to provide for preventable communicable disease control.
The superintendent has the authority and obligation under the Mississippi State Board of Health Rules and Regulations Governing Reportable Diseases to exclude students or staff members from school when reliable evidence or information from a qualified source confirms his/her having a communicable disease or infection that is known to be spread by a form of casual contact and is considered a health threat to the school population. Such a student or staff member shall be excluded unless his physician approves school attendance or the condition is no longer considered contagious.
When reliable evidence or information from a qualified source confirms that a student/staff member's illness is known not to be spread by casual contact (i.e., HIV infection, Hepatitis B, and other like diseases), the decision as to whether the affected person will remain in the school setting will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by a review panel to ensure due process. Mandatory screening for communicable diseases that are known not to be spread by casual contact is not warranted as a condition for school entry or for employment or continued employment.
Irrespective of disease presence, routine procedures shall be used and adequate sanitation facilities will be available for handling blood or other body fluids within the school setting or school buses. School personnel will be trained in the proper procedures for handling blood and body fluids, and these procedures will be strictly adhered to by all school personnel.
All persons privileged with any medical information that pertains to students or staff members shall be required to treat all proceedings, discussions, and documents as confidential information.
Instruction on the principle modes by which communicable diseases are spread and the best methods for the restriction and prevention of these diseases is taught to students by their teachers and the school nurse. Any student having evidence of a significant communicable disease must remain out of school until the disease is no longer a threat to others.
Common communicable diseases as listed below will automatically result in exclusion from school and school-related activities for the designated period of time shown below. For these or other communicable diseases, the principal may require a written note from the student's family doctor or public health department for a student's return to school after having a communicable disease.
| Disease | Exclusion from School |
|---|---|
| Chicken Pox | Until no new blisters are present |
| German Measles | 4 days after onset of rash |
| Red Measles | 7-1- days after onset of rash |
| Mumps | 9 days after glands swell |
| Hepatitis | Clearance by physician |
| Mononucleosis | Clearance by physician |
| Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) | Until proper treatment |
| Impetigo | Until proper treatment |
| Pediculosis (Lice) | Until proper treatment |
| Ringworm | Until proper treatment |
| Scabies | Until proper treatment |
When A Communicable Disease Is Suspected
If a student becomes ill at school, there are facilities and personnel to accommodate the student until the parent can be reached to take the student home.
- Students with fever will not be admitted until the fever subsides (See FEVER),
- Students with diarrhea will not be readmitted until diarrhea subsides (See DIARRHEAL DISEASES)
- Students with conjunctivitis (pink eye), bacterial meningitis, or tuberculosis will not be readmitted without a note from a health care worker
Parents will be informed if their child has been exposed to a communicable disease that requires exclusion. The notification will include the signs and symptoms of the disease so that immediate medical advice and treatment can be sought. If it is necessary for a student to leave school because of an illness or injury, the student must be signed out and escorted by the parent/guardian, or a designee, if the parent or guardian is unavailable.
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Students with a temperature of 100.0 degrees or above (orally) will be sent home. To prevent the spread of a communicable disease, ill students must be symptom-free and fever free WITHOUT the use of temperature-reducing medications for 24 hours before returning to school.
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Many different viral and bacterial agents may cause diarrhea. The child MUST be excluded from attendance until the diarrheal illness has resolved or until the child's physician or the health department has cleared, in writing, the child to return to school.
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It is requested that parents notify the school nurse if a student is diagnosed with a communicable or contagious disease. School administration/school nurse requires a note from a parent or health care worker (Physician, local health authority, Advanced Practice Nurse or Physician's Assistant) for readmission to school when a student is excluded from attendance for a communicable disease. A student sent home by the school nurse under the following criteria will be considered excused until they meet the required criteria to return to the classroom. A notification of treatment requirements will be provided by the nurse for the parent to sign and return with the child.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a student be kept home from school if any of the following conditions exist:
- Signs of severe illness, including fever, irritability, difficulty breathing, crying that doesn't stop with the usual comforting or extreme sleepiness.
- Diarrhea or stools that contain blood or mucus.
- Vomiting and diarrhea two or more times in 24 hours unless a physician feels the cause of vomiting is not an infectious disease, and writes a note to that effect and the student is no longer in danger of becoming dehydrated and must be able to self-care for diarrhea.
- Mouth sores and/or drooling until a physician or the health department does not feel the condition is infectious.
- Fever or rash or a change in behavior until a physician has determined that the problem is not caused by an infectious disease.
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Each year parents are asked to complete an emergency care form that includes a place for parental consent for school officials to obtain medical treatment for the student, as permitted by law. Other information that may be required in case of an emergency should be provided and updated by the parents as necessary. Should it become necessary to call EMS, the expense will be incurred by the parent or legal guardian.
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