Health Services
- Health Office
- When to Keep Children Home?
- Medications in School
- Immunizations
- Asthma
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Dental Care
- More Health Resources
- Nutrition Nuggets
- Head Lice
- Cuándo mantener a su hijo en casa
Health Office
Contact Info:
Sheril Denny
320-352-2258 ext. 4004
Sheril Denny
Hello! My name is Sheril Denny, I was excited to be able to start working as the school nurse for Sauk Centre Public Schools in September of 2016. I first went to college for Early Childhood Education and worked at a Montessori School for 10 years before moving here to Sauk Centre. When we moved in 2008, I decided to go back to school for nursing. I graduated with my LPN in December of 2011, my RN in May of 2016, and my BSN in June 2018 from Bemidji State University. I also recieved my Public Health Certification in July 2018 and my School Nurse License in August of 2018. I was so fortunate to find a job I love that combines my love of nursing and working with children.
I have worked at assisted living facilities in town as well as the clinic for a few years while I was obtaining my RN. I live here in Sauk Centre with my husband, Adam and our two girls, Brooke and Erika. We also have a dog, Sophie and cat Bella.
I look forward to working with the students and staff here at Sauk Centre Public Schools.
Feel free to reach me anytime with any questions or concerns. My hours are M-F 7:30-3:30.
Contact Info:
Jess Hiltner
320-352-2258 ext. 4004
Jess Hiltner
Hello! My name is Jess Hiltner, and I am incredibly excited to join Sauk Centre Public Schools as a Health Paraprofessional. I moved to Sauk Centre in 2013, and have enjoyed the small town feel of our local community. My husband Jamie and I have 5 kids, Delaney, Oliver, Freddy, Simon and Rett who are a part of the Streeter family. We enjoy spending time together at our camper in Ottertail, MN, going for pontoon rides and taking day trips to visit new places.
I was a daycare provider in town for 5 years before closing my business to take care of our medically complex child. Taking care of Simon taught me a broad variety of medical skills that I am able to apply in this position. I feel lucky to combine these medical skills with my passion for helping kids. I look forward to building relationships with the students at Sauk Centre Public Schools as a Health Paraprofessional.
When to Keep Children Home?
I have a lot of parents question when they should keep their student home from school. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding. As always, please feel free to call with any questions.
Fever- Parents must keep their children home with a fever 100 degrees or higher. Students must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school. If a child develops a fever over 100 degrees at school, parents will be called and must arrange to pick the student up from school.
Strep throat- If a child is diagnosed with strep throat, students must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school, as well as be fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications. If your child is seen in nurse's office with symptoms of strep throat, parents will be called as well.
Vomiting- Please keep children home until they are vomit free for 24 hours. If a child vomits while at school, parents will be called to take the student home.
Diarrhea- Keep your child home if they are having diarrhea more than once. If it occurs at school, they may be sent home as well.
Pink Eye- No exclusion, unless the child has a fever or is not healthy enough to participate in routine activities. If the eye is extremely bothersome, parents may be called to come and get their child and potentially seek medical advice.
Head lice- Students do not need to be sent home if head lice or nits are found. We do ask that treatment be started the same day it is found, and repeated in 7-10 days to ensure all lice and nits are killed. If you find your child has lice, please notify the nurse so a letter can be sent home to students in that class/grade as needed. No names will be used in the letter. Remind children to avoid sharing brushes, hats, pony holders, headbands ect. Although typically students will not be sent home due to head lice, it is up to the nurse's discretion if a child will need to go home, depending on the severity of the lice/nits.
Rash- If your child has an unexplained rash, your child should be seen by a medical provider to rule out any contagious diseases/illnesses before coming back to school.
Frequent symptoms- Sometimes children pretend or exaggerate illness in order to stay home. However, frequent complaints of tummy aches, headaches and other symptoms may be a physical sign that a child is feeling emotionally stressed, a common experience even in children. Consult a medical provider to evaluate symptoms. Stress-based complaints cause some children to unnecessarily miss a great deal of school. It is important to check often with your children about how things are going. Share concerns with school staff so they can provide support for you and your child to help make attending school a positive experience.
Keep in mind that any absences over 10 days will need a physician's note to be excused. If you do take your child to the clinic, ask for a letter for school and they can fax one or you can send it with your child the next day.
Again, this is a guideline. There may be other things that come up, if you question if your child should be sent to school, feel free to call first. I am in the office 7:30-3:30 Monday-Friday.
Medications in School
Guidelines for Medications at School
It is not the responsibility of the school or its employees to prescribe drugs, medications or home remedies. Medications should be administered at home under the supervision of the parent/guardian when possible. However, some students require administration of medications during the regular school day. In those situations, the following procedure will be followed:
Parent/Guardian Needs to Bring the Medication to School
Physician Order for Medication and Parent/Guardian Authorization
Before any medication will be dispensed by school staff, a Physician Order for Medication and Parent/Guardian Authorization form signed by the parent/guardian of the student must be on file with the school health secretary. The forms are available from the school health secretary.
Prescription Medications
Prescription medications must be provided in an original pharmacy container with a current label. Prescription medications brought to school in any other container will not be administered. Questions regarding dosage and administration of the medications will be directed to the prescribing physician or the parent/guardian, at the discretion of the school staff. Medications will be administered after questions have been resolved.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Parent/guardians must complete and sign an Authorization of Administration of Medication form before school staff will administer over-the-counter preparations. Over-the-counter preparations must be provided in the original labeled container. Over-the-counter preparations will only be administered to a student according to the label directions, unless contrary written directions from a physician are provided.
Physician Authorization for Self-Administration of Medication
For prescriptions or over-the-counter medications that are carried by the student for self-administration, a Physician Authorization for Self-Administration of Medication form must be completed by the physician and signed by the parent/guardian.
Sharing of Medications Prohibited
Students may not share prescription or over-the-counter medications with other students. Appropriate disciplinary action may be taken if necessary, upon the determination by the principal or his/her designee, after investigation that a violation of this policy has taken place.
Unused Medications
When use of a medication has ceased or is no longer needed by the student, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to retrieve unused medications from the school. Any unused medications will be disposed of by the school upon the written request of the parent/guardian or at the end of the school year.
Immunizations
Minnesota law requires children enrolled in school to be immunized against certain diseases OR file a legal medical or conscientious exemption.
If your child is not up to date on immunizations and/or do not have an exemption on file, they may not be allowed to come to school until completed, these would be unexcused absences.
Please be sure there is a K-12 Immunization/Exemption Form or Early Childhood Immunization/Exemption Form on file for your child.
Immunization Form and Exemption Form
New Minnesota Immunization Laws as of September 2014:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/immrule/newlawsfs.pdf
Minnesota Exemption Laws:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/basics/exemption.html
Asthma
PLAN: Once you have an action plan set up with your physician, please make sure to bring a copy to the school nurse. Meeting with your child’s teacher and/or nurse can help ensure that arrangements are in place.
INHALERS: In case of an emergency situation, it may be beneficial to have the student’s inhaler kept with the homeroom teacher. Your child’s inhaler can also be kept locked in the nurse’s office. It can also be kept with the student if he or she proves to be responsible with its use and knows signs and symptoms of an asthma flare-up.
Please fill out the inhaler permission form to indicate where you would like your child’s inhaler kept during the school day.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: It is important that children are aware of the signs and symptoms of an asthma flare-up so they can use their inhaler appropriately. These signs and symptoms include the following:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid breathing
- Inability to talk more than a few words at a time
- Retractions in the neck and chest (sucking in of the muscles when inhaling)
Other Resources:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/asthma/school_asthma.html#
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/basics/definition/con-20026992
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
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Definition: Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection with a persistent cough. Coughs are sometimes accompanied with a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like a “whoop.” Coughing can be so severe that it leads to vomiting and/or red or blue in the face. Complications are especially dangerous for babies and can be life threatening.
Signs and Symptoms: It can take 1-3 weeks for signs and symptoms to appear. They are usually mild at first; then, after a week or two the signs and symptoms worsen as thick mucus accumulates in airways, which causes the uncontrollable coughing.
Initial signs:
Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Sneezing
Red, watery eyes
A mild fever
Dry coughSevere signs:
Vomiting with coughing
Red or blue face with coughing
Extreme fatigue
A “whoop” sound during the next breath of airCauses: Pertussis is caused by bacteria that are spread through droplets with coughing and sneezing that can be breathed into the lungs of anyone nearby. Pertussis is contagious for the first three weeks of coughing if not treated with antibiotics.
Treatment: Pertussis is usually diagnosed with a nasal swab or throat culture and is treated with a five-day course of antibiotics.Treatment is also given to the family of the individual infected with pertussis as a preventative measure because it is so contagious. After the individuals have been on antibiotics for 5 days, they are no longer contagious and are able to go back to work or school.
Prevention: Pertussis can be prevented by a vaccine. This vaccine is usually included with the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine, and it is now required for kindergarteners and 7th graders starting September 2014. The pertussis vaccine is a series of five doses that are given before the child enters kindergarten. It is usually given at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years. The vaccine is most potent in the first few years and continues to wane over the years, which is why a booster shot is required for students entering 7th grade.
Resources
Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whooping-cough/basics/definition/CON-20023295
Dental Care
More Health Resources
Nutrition in Minnesota:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/chp/cdrr/nutrition/facts/index.html
Nutrition in Schools:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/chp/cdrr/nutrition/schoolwellness/index.html
Minnesota Department of Health:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/
Minnesota Department of Human Services:
http://www.mn.gov/dhs/
Centers for Disease Control:
http://www.cdc.gov/
American Heart Association - Getting Active:
http://www.heart.org/
Kids Health:
http://kidshealth.org/
Children's Sleep Guide:
https://www.sleephelp.org/childrens-sleep-guide/
How to Manage Screen Time and Bedtime:
https://www.sleephelp.org/how-technology-affects-sleep/
Nutrition Nuggets
I am trying something new this year and will be posting a monthly Nutrition Nuggets newsletter online for you to view. This newsletter is geared toward elementary students. The newsletters will have simple and fun ideas for snacks, recipes, and ways for you and your kids to get active! I will post them every month, so check back often!
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Head Lice
Cuándo mantener a su hijo en casa
* Tengo muchos padres que preguntan cuándo deben mantener a sus hijos en casa lejos de la escuela. Aquí hay algunas cosas ahi que tomar en cuenta a la hora de decidir. Como siempre, no dude en llamar con cualquier pregunta.
Fiebre- Los padres deben mantener a sus hijos en casa con fiebre de 100 grados o más. Los estudiantes deben estar libres de fiebre por 24 horas sin el uso de medicamentos para reducir la fiebre antes de regresar a la escuela. Si un niño desarrolla fiebre de más de 100 grados en la escuela, se le llamará a los padres y tendra que recoger al estudiante de la escuela.
Infección de la garganta: si a su un niño se le diagnostica una faringitis estreptocócica o infeccion de la garganta, los estudiantes deben tomar antibióticos durante 24 horas antes de regresar a la escuela y estar libres de fiebre durante 24 horas sin medicamentos para reducir la fiebre. Si su hijo va con la enfermería con síntomas de faringitis estreptocócica, se llamará también a los padres y tendran que venir por ellos.
Vómito: por favor, mantenga a los niños en casa hasta que estén libres de vómitos durante 24 horas. Si un niño vomita mientras está en la escuela, se llamará a los padres para que se lleven al alumno a casa.
Diarrea: mantenga a su hijo en casa si tiene diarrea. Si ocurre en la escuela, pueden ser enviados a casa también.
Infeccion del ojo rosado - El ojo rosado es muy contagioso, los síntomas son los ojos rojos, con comezón en los ojos que típicamente riegan y pueden tener pus verde y amarillo. Muchas veces los niños se despiertan y se les cierra el ojo. A veces, también se puede presentar hinchazón del párpado. Si nota estos síntomas, mantenga a su hijo en casa y tráigalo a la clínica para que lo examine. Por lo general, se le recetará gotas para los ojos y deberán administrarse 24 horas antes de regresar a la escuela. Si se sospecha que su hijo tiene ojos rosados en la escuela, se llamará a los padres para que uste lo lleve a la clínica para que lo examinen.
Piojos: no es necesario enviar a los estudiantes a casa si se encuentran piojos o liendres. Pedimos que el tratamiento se inicie el mismo día en que se encuentre, y repita en 7-10 días para asegurar que todos los piojos y las liendres mueran. Si descubre que su hijo tiene piojos, notifique a la enfermera para que se envíe una carta a casa a los alumnos de esa clase / grado según sea necesario. No se usarán nombres en la carta. Recuérdeles a los niños que eviten compartir cepillos, sombreros, ligas, diademas, etc. Aunque normalmente no se enviará a los alumnos a casa debido a piojos, depende de la enfermera si un niño tendrá que irse a casa dependiendo de la gravedad de los piojos / nits.
Síntomas frecuentes: a veces los niños fingen o exageran enfermedades para quedarse en casa. Sin embargo, las quejas frecuentes de dolores de estómago, dolores de cabeza y otros síntomas pueden ser un signo físico de que un niño se siente estresado emocionalmente, una experiencia común incluso en niños. Consulte a un proveedor médico para evaluar los síntomas. Las quejas basadas en el estrés hacen que algunos niños pierdan innecesariamente una gran parte de la cantidad de escuela. Es importante verificar con sus hijos cómo van las cosas. Comparta las inquietudes con el personal de la escuela para que puedan brindarle apoyo a usted y a su hijo para que la asistencia a la escuela sea una experiencia positiva.
Tenga en cuenta que cualquier ausencia de más de 10 días necesitará una nota del médico para ser excusado. Si lleva a su hijo a la clínica, pida una carta para la escuela y pueden enviarla por fax o puede enviarla con su hijo al día siguiente.
Puede haber otras cosas que surjan, si usted pregunta si su hijo debe ser enviado a la escuela, no dude en llamar primero. Estoy en mi oficina
7: 30-4 de lunes a viernes.
La enfermera de la Escuela de Sauk Centre Sheril Denny ext:4004
O con Nancy y Dora ext: 3002