2017-18 Health Services Back-to-School Checklist

Published August 3, 2017

Remaining healthy is vital to a child’s growth and education. The Williamson County Schools Health Services Department is committed to providing students with a healthy environment and reducing health-related issues that can hinder learning.

WCS Nursing and Coordinated School Health Supervisor Tina Hamblen runs through what students and parents need to know in order to remain healthy during the school year.

Medications

WCS requires all medications, both prescription and non-prescription, be brought to the school nurse by the parent/guardian with the appropriate, completed authorization form. Parents can view and print authorization forms from the Health Services department section of the WCS website by selecting Medication Guidelines and Authorization Forms tab and choosing the form they wish to view. Parents should also read the WCS Medication Guidelines located on the second page of each form.

The appropriate authorization form must be completed before medication can be administered by the student or with assistance by staff during the school day. Students are not allowed to carry medications at school except those for use in an emergency situation and prescribed by the child’s healthcare provider.

Immunizations

According to Tennessee law, students who have not met the state’s immunization requirements will not be allowed to attend school. Parents should check with their physician as soon as possible to make sure their child’s immunization requirements have been met before the first day of school, Thursday, August 10.

TN Department of Health Certificates of Immunization will be required of each student prior to the first day of attendance for all new WCS students and those entering day care, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and seventh grade. Parents and guardians can obtain the properly completed certificate from a TN Health Department or a healthcare provider licensed in Tennessee.

Illness Guidelines

A priority of the Health Services Department is to keep all students healthy and in school. One way schools and parents can work together is to prevent the spread of illness. If a child is not feeling well, parents can refer to the WCS Illness Guidelines on the Health Services department section of the WCS website to determine if their child should remain at home.

Medical Needs

WCS is committed to ensuring each and every student is properly cared for. If a student has medical needs requiring accommodations or potential emergency medical needs, a school nurse will work with the student’s parent/guardian and healthcare provider to establish a healthcare plan for necessary accommodations to aid in the student’s safety and well-being in the school setting.