Nurse

Please do not send your student to school if you answer yes to any of these questions:

• Does your child currently have a temperature of over 100.4 degrees?
• In the past 24 hours, has your child experienced:
  • Sore throat, runny nose, congestion
  • New frequent, dry cough (for students with chronic allergies/asthma, a change in baseline cough)
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • New onset of headache
  • Fatigue or muscle or body aches

Vaccine Records

Are you a student (current or former) or caregiver who needs your vaccine records? Try VaxViewNM first, and email our health assistant if you need help.

Are you a school needing vaccine records? Send your request to our health assistant.

• Allergy
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Medication
• Seizure Management
• Special Nutrition

• APS Medication Policy & Forms
• Immunization Information
• Sick Day Guidelines
• Medical Cannabis in Schools
• Wearing Cloth Face Masks
• Usar una Cubierta de Tela Para la Cara

• School Based Health Centers
• APS - When Is Sick Too Sick For School?
• APS - ¿Cuando Está Demasiado Enfermo Su Hijo(a) para Ir a la Escuela?
• Washing Your Hands (VIDEO)
• Lavarse las Manos (VIDEO)

Medication Administration at School

Whenever possible, medication should be given at home.  For example, medication that is prescribed three times daily can usually be given at home before and after school, and before bed. The Provider Order and Medication Authorization form for prescriptions or Parent Authorization for Over-the-Counter Medication or Short-Term Prescription Medication (taken less than 14 days) form must be on file in the Health Office in order for the Health Office to administer medication.  New medication orders are required at the beginning of each school year or whenever the order changes.  Prescription medication must be provided to the Health Office in the unopened pharmacy labeled package along with the appropriate provider order.

Over the Counter and Short Term Prescription Administration

Over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen (Motrin), Acetaminophen (Tylenol), and Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or Pamprin/ Midol etc., can be provided to the school by a parent/guardian for individual student use during the school day.  If the school nurse and parent/guardian determine that it is necessary that an Over the Counter (OTC) or short-term prescription medication (less than 14 days) be administered during the school day, the following procedures must be followed:

1. OTC medication for individual student use is provided by the student’s parent/guardian in the original unopened manufacturer labeled container.   It is recommended that the smallest container available be provided to the school.

2. A Parent Authorization for OTC Medication or Short Term Prescription Medication (taken less than 14 days) form must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian.

Asthma

The NM Asthma Action Plan for Schools is the provider order for inhaler administration, and is required for students with asthma who may need to use an inhaler during the school day. If the student is able to self-carry their inhaler, please fill out the paperwork and indicate the student will have the inhaler on them, and have them turn the form into our office.  If the student would like to keep an inhaler in the Health office, the inhaler can be provided to the Health Office in the unopened pharmacy labeled package, along with the signed paperwork. 

Allergies

The NM Food/Insect Allergy Emergency Care Plan  is the provider order for Epi-pens and Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for management of allergy symptoms.  An epi-pen may be provided to the Health Office in an unopened pharmacy labeled package. If your student will be carrying their own Epi-pen, please fill out the form and have them turn it into our office. .  If your child has a food allergy and will be eating in the cafeteria, a Special Diet Authorization form signed by a provider may also be required.  This form allows the school cafeteria to make the appropriate accommodations for your child’s dietary requirements. 

Special Diet Authorization

APS Food and Nutrition Services will make modifications and substitutions to the regular school meals for a student with a dietary restriction with a Special Diet Authorization Form.  The Special Diet Authorization form must be filled out by a provider and sent to our office. We will provide the information to the Cafeteria Manager and APS Dietician.

Diabetes

The Diabetic Medical Management Plan (DMMP) must be filled out by a provider and a parent/ guardian. If your student does not need supervision with their diabetic care, please indicate that they are independent. If they do require assistance with their diabetic care, please indicate what they require, and we will assist them. All diabetic students may keep supplies and snacks in our office for their convenience. 

***For students who have Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)- all students who require having their cell phones within reach for monitoring their glucose will need paperwork on file for their teachers due to the strict cell phone policies, especially during exams.***

Menstrual Cramps

The Health Office stocks feminine hygiene products- pads, tampons, and brand new panties. Please let your student know they can come anytime to our office to get what they may need. 

We do not have heating pads or medicine for students having menstrual cramps at school.

If your student requires medication for cramps, we can keep it in our office for them. Please fill out an OTC (Over the Counter) Medication form and your student can bring the form and an unopened manufacturer labeled container of medication such as Pamprin, Midol, Tylenol, or Motrin to our office for them to use as needed. Students may also carry their own medication, but the form must be filled out and on file in our office. Please emphasize to your student not to share medications as students may have unknown allergies.