The goal of our health office is to aid in the health and wellness of your child, by making sure students are current with their vaccinations, are compliant with our illness policies, and to keep your student at school and learning when possible.
The student health clinic at Great Hearts Arlington is staffed by two full time nurses. In the event that the school health professional is not present, trained personnel will be delegated to administer medications and respond to medical emergencies.
GREAT HEARTS TEXAS HEALTH SERVICES SITE
- Parents should notify the school nurse of any changes that arise throughout the school year regarding changes of the child’s health status such as: a new diagnosis; new medications given at home; surgery or hospitalizations; fractures or injuries; or communicable diseases in the child or immediate family.
- The state requires certain communicable diseases to be reported by the school to provide community assistance if necessary.
Please contact Nurse McDougall and Nurse Langham via email at GHAnurse@greatheartstxschools.org.
Medication and Health Policies
2023-2024 medication policies
Current policies regarding student health, medication, screenings, and more are also contained in Great Heart Arlington’s Family Handbook.
Vaccinations
The State of Texas requires that certain vaccinations be given in order to attend school. Your students immunizations will be monitored yearly for compliance. Click on the link below for the Texas Educational Agency Immunization Requirements.
DOWNLOAD THE SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
To claim an exclusion for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, the child’s parent, legal guardian, or a student 18 years of age or older must present to the school or child-care facility a completed, signed and notarized affidavit on a form provided by the department stating that the child’s parent, legal guardian, or the student declines vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including because of the person’s religious beliefs.
Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience
Health Screenings
As noted in our Family Handbook, there are a number of State-mandated health screenings we are required to conduct for students throughout the school year. These include:
- Hearing and vision screenings for all students new to Great Hearts Arlington (including all Kindergarteners),
- Annual hearing and vision screenings for all 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th graders,
- Annual Acanthosis nigricans screenings for all 1st, 3rd, and 5th graders, and
- Spinal screenings for all 5th/7th grade girls, and 8th grade boys
Medication Drop Off
Meet the Teacher/Upper School Orientation will provide Great Hearts Arlington parents the opportunity to bring in all prescribed/over-the-counter medications that your child will need for the upcoming school year. A Request for Medication Administration Form will need to be filled out when the medication is dropped off. This will also be the scheduled time to fill out and turn in all other medical forms and action plans.
REQUEST FOR MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION FORM (OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION)
REQUEST FOR MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION FORM (PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION)
For any questions about Meet the Teacher, please reach out to the Director of Campus Operations at Charlotte.Garthune@greatheartstxschools.org
Severe Food Allergies
Parents of children with histories of severe allergic reactions and risk of anaphylaxis are asked to complete a Food Allergen and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan form. If your child’s doctor has prescribed an EpiPen, AuviQ, or other epinephrine auto-injector, you will also need to complete the appropriate Request for Medication Administration form above as well.
FOOD ALLERGEN AND ANAPHYLAXIS EMERGENCY CARE PLAN FORM
Asthma
Parents of children with a history of asthma are asked to complete both an Asthma Information form and an Asthma Action Plan. The Asthma Action Plan requires a doctor’s signature. If the doctor has prescribed an inhaler, spacer, and/or peak flow meter, those will need to be delivered to the Nurse for dedicated school use. If nebulizer treatments are necessary throughout the school year, parents are expected to supply the mask and tubing. All prescription and over-the-counter medication to be administered at school (including albuterol) requires the appropriate Request for Administration of Medication form.
Asthma Inhalers
Lower School students are not permitted to self-carry inhalers. If your Upper School student will be self-carrying his/her inhaler, it is required that he/she have the necessary paperwork filed with the clinic. An Asthma Inhaler Self-Carry Contract must be signed by the student, parent/guardian, and a medical doctor.
ASTHMA INHALER SELF-CARRY CONTRACT
ASTHMA ACTION PLAN AND CONTRACT
Head Lice
Anyone can get head lice. Head lice spreads mainly through direct head-to-head contact, but also from sharing hats, brushes, and other personal items. Great Hearts Arlington observes a No Nit/Lice Policy. “No Nit” is defined as no live nits. Live nits will be within 1/4 inch of the scalp on the hair shaft. If no nymphs or adults are seen, and the only nits are more than 1/4 inch from the scalp, then the infestation is probable old and no longer active, and does not need to be treated (CDC). Students found to have live lice and/or live nits are sent home and are permitted to return only once treatment for live lice has been completed and nits have been removed. This is confirmed by the school nurse when the child returns.
If a case of lice is confirmed in your child’s classroom, the State of Texas requires us to notify you within five school days. If you receive a notification, it does not mean that your child has necessarily been exposed to lice. We will however ask you to do your part to prevent the spread of this communicable condition by checking your children daily for the next few weeks following the email. Lice infestation is much easier to treat if caught early.
If you should discover a case of head lice or nits in your household, please notify your child’s teacher as well as the school nurse as soon as possible. This is the best way to help your family and community. Your child’s privacy will be strictly protected at all times. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your campus’s nurse any time. For further information regarding head lice and its treatment, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov/lice or the National Pediculosis Association at headlice.org.