Health Services
WHEN TO STAY HOME DUE TO ILLNESS
Parents and students frequently question when it is appropriate to keep students home from school because of illness. Mankato Area Public Schools follows the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) guidelines and recommends students be excluded from school for the following reasons:
~ If your child has a fever of 100.4°F or more, he/she should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal, without fever-reducing medication.
~ If your child has vomited or had diarrhea, the child should not return to school until 24 hours after the last episode.
~ If your child has an undiagnosed rash, please contact your medical provider before sending him/her to school.
~ If your child feels ill enough that he/she would not benefit from being at school.
~ If you have questions regarding sending your child to school, please contact the health office at your child’s school.
The goal of the ISD #77 Health Services Team is to promote optimum health as the foundation for learning for all school aged children.
The Mankato Public Schools Health Services Team includes:
- Licensed School Nurses
- Building Health Assistants
- Health Secretaries
The team is committed to providing the services needed so students are healthy, safe and ready to learn.
- Licensed School Nurses strive to advance partnerships with students, parents/guardians, families, school staff, community resources and health care providers in order to provide students with consistent school management of their health care needs. Licensed School Nurses are an important part of the Student Support Services Teams in the school buildings.
- Health Assistants work in the school health offices and are under the direct supervision and direction of the Licensed School Nurses and building principals. The Health Assistants administer daily medications and treatments for students as prescribed by health care providers and as communicated by the Licensed School Nurse. Health Assistants communicate with parents/guardians, provide limited daily first aid and emergency care to students.
- Health Secretaries work with the Licensed School Nurses and Health Assistants to maintain accurate and up to date records of immunizations, health conditions and medication administration forms for students at all of the public and non-public schools.
All of the Health Service Team Members strive to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all students. We partner with parents and students by requesting that they keep us informed of any known health conditions that may result in an emergency or require assistance during the school day
In the case of serious or life threatening emergencies, 911 will be called. Whenever possible the parent/guardian will be notified by phone. If parent/guardian cannot be reached, the emergency contact person listed on the annual health census form will be contacted.
Students that need medication at school, prescription or non-prescription, must be administered according to the school district medication administration policy. Parents must bring properly labeled medication containers to the school and have a Consent Form for the Administration of Medication During the School Day completed and signed by parent/guardian, health care provider (prescription medication) and the Licensed School Nurse in order for their child to receive medication at school.
If a student becomes ill during the school day, the student is instructed to obtain a hall pass from the classroom teacher to the Health Service Office for assistance and further evaluation. If it becomes necessary for the student to leave school, Health Service Staff will contact parent/guardian in order for the student to be excused. Students leaving the building without parent/guardian permission will be considered unexcused.
Flu Information for Families - English
Flu Information for Families - Anuak
Flu Information for Families - Arabic
Flu Information for Families - Somali
Flu Information for Families - Spanish
Are Your Kids Ready?
