Nurse's Office

When students are absent or going to be absent from school, we ask that a parent or guardian notify the school with the reason for absence. Please call your student's schools Attendance Line before 9:30 a.m. for elementary schools and before 10:30 a.m. for middle and high schools. All buildings have voicemail set up for non-school hours.

If your student will be late to school because of an appointment, missed bus, oversleeping, etc., contact the office as soon as possible to let us know if or when the student is expected to arrive at school.

Should My Student Stay Home from School?
Parents and students frequently have questions about when it is appropriate to stay home from school because of illness. Follow these guidelines to help with your decision and keep your student at home:

• A temperature of 100.0ºF or higher in the past 24 hours
• Diarrhea within the past 24 hours
• Vomited two or more times in the previous 24 hours, unless it is determined to be caused by a noncommunicable condition and is not in danger of dehydration
• New, undiagnosed rash
• Pus-like eye drainage
• Symptoms of severe illness such as unusual fatigue, uncontrolled cough and difficulty breathing
• Feels ill enough that he/she would not be able to benefit from being at school

If your student has been diagnosed with a health condition, please contact the school's health office to discuss when your student will be able to return to school or with any additional questions.

Contacting Parent/Guardian
If your student becomes ill at school and needs to go home, Health Service staff will attempt to contact a parent/guardian listed on the Emergency Information form. If a parent/guardian cannot be reached, we will contact the listed emergency contact. Your student will not be allowed to leave school without contacting an adult.

In the event of a medical emergency, 911 will be called. The school will then attempt to make contact with the parent/guardian listed on the Emergency Information form.

Find out which immunizations are required for students at different ages with the "Are Your Kids Ready? Minnesota K-12 Immunization Law" facts sheet. The attached form can be completed by your doctor and turned into your child's school.

Minnesota law requires all children enrolled in a Minnesota elementary or secondary school to be immunized against:

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Polio
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella (German measles)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (chickenpox)

No child shall be allowed to enroll or remain in school until verification of the child's immunization has been submitted or a legal exemption filed with the school. Students entering kindergarten and grade 7 are required by law to have updated immunizations.

Student health physicals from a doctor are requested before Early Learning programs, kindergarten, 7th grade, and 10th grade.

Any student entering 6th grade wishing to participate in middle school sports must also have a valid physical form on file in the IGH Middle School nurse's office.

Students are encouraged to see their dentist at least once a year and obtain recommended treatment.

Sports Physicals

The Minnesota State High School League mandates a sports physical every three years. Students may not practice or participate without a completed sports physical form on file. This applies to all middle school and high school students. Bring the following form to your child's doctor:

Sports Physical Form

Before bringing the completed form to school, please make sure:

• The participation area is circled, and
• The doctor has signed and dated the form

High school students: turn in completed sports physical form to the Activities Office at Simley High School.

Middle school students: turn in completed sports physical form to the school nurse at IGH Middle School.

The intent of the ISD 199 Medication Policy 516 is to provide safety for students. Each fall, the Health Services staff completes a self-audit of medications for compliance with school procedure.

If students need medicine dispensed while they are at school, parents must complete a permission form and have it signed by the student's doctor. A new form must be placed on file with the school each year.

Form for Medications at School
The form details the district's policy, including procedures for non-prescription medications

When it is necessary for a student to receive prescription or non-prescription medication at school, the medication is kept in the Health Office, with the exception of inhalers, Epipens, or when special arrangements have been made.

Students who need to have medication at school must have:

• Medication in its original container
• Written permission from the parent
• Written order from the physician

For detailed symptoms of specific illnesses and guidelines on what to do if your student has these symptoms, click on the illness fact sheets below.

• Bronchitis Fact Sheet
• Chicken Pox Fact Sheet
• COVID-19 Fact Sheet
• Infectious Diarrhea Fact Sheet
• Fifth Disease Fact Sheet
• Head Lice Fact Sheet
• Influenza Fact Sheet
• Meningococcal Meningitis Fact Sheet
• Mononucleosis Fact Sheet
• Norovirus Fact Sheet
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Fact Sheet
• Pink Eye Fact Sheet
• Pneumonia Fact Sheet
• Ringworm Fact Sheet
• Shingles Fact Sheet
• Staph Infection Fact Sheet
• Strep Throat Fact Sheet

Additional Information About Influenza

The Minnesota Department of Health emphasizes basic infection prevention measures to stop the spread of influenza, including covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, frequent hand washing with soap and water, and staying home when you are ill. Click here for influenza vaccine facts from the CDC.

If you have traveled within the past week to Mexico or other areas where H1N1 novel influenza is circulating, and you develop fever along with other flu symptoms, call your health care provider. Tell them about your symptoms and travel history.

Early Childhood Screening

Preparations for kindergarten begin in the preschool years. An early childhood screening is required for children entering kindergarten in a public school in Minnesota.  

Screenings are scheduled throughout the school year at the IGH Early Learning Center, 3203 68th Street East in Inver Grove Heights. Screenings are free and take about an hour. Please click the button below or call 651-306-7503 to schedule an appointment.

Schedule an Early Childhood Screening

Vision and Hearing Screenings

Vision and hearing screenings are provided for ISD 199 students. Early identification and treatment can prevent or alleviate many of the problems that result from impaired hearing and vision. This screening is conducted by ISD 199 nurses and numerous parent volunteers.

Students will be screened through the following schedule:

• Vision: Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7
• Hearing: Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7
• Color Vision: Grades 4 and 7

If a student does not pass the screening procedure according to the Minnesota Department of Health standards, the screening will be repeated. If the student does not pass the second screening, a physician referral notice will be sent to the parent. If you do not wish your child to be screened, please notify the health office.

At any time, if a parent, teacher, staff member, or student has concerns, a child can be individually screened.

Screenings are not intended to be a substitute for wellness checks with the student's primary provider. Height and weight checks will be done at grade 7 and when requested by a parent.