Medical Support

Nurse/Illness during the School Day

The state of Minnesota has authorized local public school districts to allow pupils attending a nonpublic school, established and operating within the school district boundaries, access to the existing district Pupil Health Services program. On behalf of all AHA students, a request has been made that the district's Pupil Health Services program be made available this school year. Parents’ acceptance of this policy as part of the Student Handbook indicates acceptance. If a parent wishes not to receive the named items, please contact the Principal. By not accepting these items, a parent will be required to pay an additional fee, which will be automatically added to tuition. The dollar amount that Holy Angels received from the state for the 2018-19 school year is $78.61. 

A nurse is available for consultation and assistance. The Health Office is located on the third floor. If a student becomes ill during the day, he/she should inform the teacher who will give the student a pass. The nurse will contact a parent/guardian if necessary. Emergency forms must be completed and returned at the time of registration so ill students can be released. Please be sure to keep the school informed of changes in phone numbers and emergency contacts, including caretakers while parents/guardians are out of town or on vacation. Students only can be released to individuals named as emergency contacts.

Parents/guardians of students with chronic conditions or who are diagnosed with chronic conditions or suffer an injury that disrupts normal ambulatory functions (e.g., Type I Diabetes, migraine headaches, leg or ankle injury) during the course of the school year will be asked to sign a release of information allowing school officials to speak to the clinician who is coordinating the care of the student. In addition, if a single condition results in six absences, school will also ask the parent/guardian to sign a release of information. It is imperative to the integrity of the educational process that the school be in direct communication with the caregivers. Such communication might involve administrators and guidance counselors as well as the school nurse.

The nurse should be notified of any infections or serious illnesses, changes in health status, or additional immunizations. Students who are ill may not leave school without the nurse's knowledge and approval. When the nurse is not available, students should contact the Attendance Administrative Assistant.

In accordance with the School Immunization Law  (Minnesota Statutes, Section 121A.15), students may not enroll or remain enrolled in school without having provided either documentation of immunizations against certain vaccine-preventable diseases or appropriate notarized medical or conscientious exemptions.  All students are expected to be in compliance on the first day of their entry into school.  Questions about immunization status, documentation or any issue related to immunizations should be directed to school nurse at 612 798-2632.

On some occasions, students will require the use of the school’s elevator. For more information about the procedure for making elevator-use requests, see the Elevator section in the Around the Academy portion of this handbook.

Information about AHA’s concussion response procedures

AHA is committed to the management of concussions in our student population. A concussion is an injury of the brain caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, neck or body that results in a temporary change in normal brain function. Each concussion is unique in its presentation and treatment and exact recovery time cannot be predicted. Our school nurse and our school counselors will work in conjunction with the athletic training staff and physicians to provide the best possible outcomes, pnysically and academically.

1. All students must take a baseline impact test before participation in any athletic activity. These tests are administered on site by the athletic trainer at the start of every athletic season. You will not be permitted to practice or play until you have completed the baseline impact test.
2. Should a student sustain a possible concussive injury, they are responsible for reporting this incident to the responsible coach, teacher or athletic trainer. If an athletic trainer is present, they will assess the condition and diagnose a concussion. In the absence of an athletic trainer, it is the responsibility of the coach, teacher or other staff member to report what happened in detail to the athletic trainer as soon as possible. The student should report to the trainer at the earliest possible time for evaluation. The athletic trainer will monitor the student's condition and activity throughout the recovery phase. They will also determine when the student can begin the return to play protocol that is outlined by the MSHSL.
3. If academic accommodations are in order, the athletic trainer will email the school nurse/academic counselor to set those accommodations in motion. Athletic trainers are able to recommend academic accommodations for up to five days after the injury. If accommodations are needed beyond the five day time frame, the student will be referred to a concussion specialist for formal accommodations.
4. Return to play and return to learn procedures are monitored by the athletic trainer and the school nurse/academic counselors. If the initial diagnosis came from a physician, only a physician can clear the student to begin return to play. Clearance can NOT be on the day that the concussion occurred. A parent cannot authorize return to play for his/her child in any circumstance. Students must always be cleared academically before return to play can begin.

To see AHA's complete consussion response procedure, go to the Activities Handbook section of this Student Handbook and click on Concussion Response Procedure.

Medical Privacy Policy (HIPAA* notification)

AHA may at times create or receive student medical information for educational or extracurricular purposes or to assist with medical issues that may arise at school.

AHA will comply with all applicable laws governing the confidentiality of student
medical information. For more information on how medical records are protected and under what circumstances they may be disclosed, please see AHA's Policy on Student Educational Records, which incorporates discussion of medical information.

*HIPAA refers to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Medications During School Hours
When students require medication during the school day, it's important that the medications be administered properly and that Holy Angels has accurate records of the medication students require and when they're receiving them.  AHA has three categories of medication administration.  For each category, AHA has developed a permission form that must be signed and on file in the AHA Health Office.  The three categories are:

• Over-the-counter medications
• Prescription medications
• Self-administered medications

Even with a signed permission form on file, students may not carry prescription or non-prescription drugs with them, nor can they keep these medications in their lockers, with the exception of asthma inhalers, insulin, EPI pens or other self-administered medications.  If discovered, all such medications will be confiscated, and the parents will be called.  If the problem continues detention or suspension will result.

Over-the-Counter Medications
The school nurse administers over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.  Parents must provide the nurse with the medication in its original container and must sign and submit the Over-the-Counter Medication form. The form can be found on the school’s website. The school does not maintain a supply of any over-the-counter medications.  A physician's signature is NOT necessary for the nurse to administer over-the-counter medications.  The student to whom the medication is assigned is the only person allowed to take it, and it will be returned to the student at the end of the school year. 

Disciplinary Consequences for Violations of AHA’s Over-the-Counter Medications Policy

1. If a student is found possessing or responsibly using their own over-the-counter medications, without the correct paperwork and authorization of the school nurse, the medication will be confiscated and the student will be suspended in accordance with AHA’s Chemical Policy. (See the Chemical Health Policy section of the Student and Parent Handbook.)
2. If a student is found irresponsibly using, abusing, or misusing over-the-counter medications (e.g., taking more than the recommended amount or administering the drug by an incorrect method), or if a student is found selling or distributing over-the-counter medications, the medication will be confiscated and the student will be expelled in accordance with AHA’s Chemical Policy (See the Chemical Health Policy section of the Student and Parent Handbook.)—even if the student possesses the correct paperwork and authorization of the school nurse to possess and use such medications.

Prescription Medications
Prescription medications must be brought to the school nurse in their original, pharmacy labeled containers.  If the dosage requires a half tablet, the pills must be pre-cut, either by a pharmacist or by the parent/guardian.  A physician signature along with instructions for administering medication are required on the Prescription Medication form which parents must complete and submit to the school Health Office.   The form can be found on the school’s website. Any dosage changes or discontinuation of a medication must be reported to the Health Office.  In the case of a dosage change, the prescription label must reflect the change.  A minor student cannot transport narcotic-containing prescription medications such as Ritalin to school.  Leftover medications in this category cannot be returned to a minor student.  Parents must bring these medications in and pick them up.  Other remaining prescription medications will be returned to students at the end of the school year.

Disciplinary Consequences for Violations of AHA’s Prescription Medications Policy

1. If a student is found possessing or responsibly using his or her own prescription medication, without the correct paperwork and authorization of the school nurse, but the student has a valid prescription for the medication, the medication will be confiscated and the student will be suspended in accordance with AHA’s Chemical Policy (See the Chemical Health Policy section of the Student and Parent Handbook.)
2. If a student is found possessing or using a prescription medication for which the student does not have a valid a prescription, the medication will be confiscated and the student will be expelled in accordance with AHA’s Chemical Health Policy (See the Chemical Health Policy section of the Student and Parent Handbook.)
3. If a student is found irresponsibly using, abusing, or misusing prescription medications (e.g., taking more than the prescribed or recommended amount or administering the drug by an incorrect method), or if a student is found selling or distributing prescription medications, the medication will be confiscated and the student will be expelled in accordance with AHA’s Chemical Policy (See the Chemical Health Policy section of the Student and Parent Handbook.)—even if the student possesses the correct paperwork and authorization of the school nurse to possess and use such medications.

Self-Administered Medications
Self-Administered Medications like inhalers for students with asthma or epi-pens for students with allergies may be carried and administered by the student during the school day if the Self-Administered Medications Form is filed with the school nurse.  Parents must submit the Self-Administered Medications form to the school nurse.  The form requires a physician signature, and a signed affidavit stating that the student has been educated on the administration and side effects of the medication. The form can be found on the school’s website. In addition, parents of students who have severe allergies are asked to contact the school nurse to discuss a treatment plan in case of exposure to the allergen.  AHA does NOT have an epi-pen available for general use.  Students must have their own epi-pen. 

Disciplinary Consequences for Violations of AHA’s Self-Administered Medications Policy

1. If a student is found possessing or responsibly using their own self-administered medication, without the correct paperwork and authorization of the school nurse, the self-administered medication will be confiscated and the student will be suspended in accordance with AHA’s Chemical Policy (See the Chemical Health Policy section of the Student and Parent Handbook.)
2. If a student is found irresponsibly using, abusing, or misusing self-administered medications (e.g., taking more than the prescribed or recommended amount or administering the drug by an incorrect method), or if a student is found selling or distributing self-administered medications, the medication will be confiscated and the student will be expelled in accordance with AHA’s Chemical Policy (See the Chemical Health Policy section of the Student and Parent Handbook.)—even if the student possesses the correct paperwork and authorization of the school nurse to possess and use such medications.

Permission Forms
All permission forms can be found on the AHA website by clicking on the Parent heading, then on “School Nurse”, then on "Forms & Releases".  Signed permission forms are good for one school year or for the term of the short-term prescription medication.  Forms must be renewed annually. 

For more information, contact the school nurse at 612-798-2632.

Insurance
Students may purchase a secondary insurance policy for athletics. Contact the Business Office for more information.

(Revised June 2008, updated April 6, 2009, updated April 2010, 6/21/11, 7/05/12 mn; 6/13/13mn; 6/19/2014 mn, 7/14/15 ga, 7/20/16 ga; 6/27/18 cd)