Health & Wellness

We believe healthy students learn best.

School Nurses promote health and well-being across the district. Services provided through the school nurse health office include:

Emergency care
Assessment and intervention with health issues
Medication administration
Health counseling
Hearing/vision screening
Chronic health management

Medication Procedures
Medication Forms

Medication Procedures

Administration of medication is foremost the responsibility of the parent/guardian. All medications that can be given outside of school hours without serious effects must be given before or after school.
The first dose of any medication must be given at home.
School personnel/nurses are not responsible for giving missed or late home doses of medication.
All medication be recorded on the student’s medication record.
Prescription and non-prescription medication will be administered only if:
- The appropriate school medication administration form is completed including the doctor’s signature, parent/guardian's signature, student's name, name of medication, amount of medication needed, route of administration and time of administration.
- Any prescription medication that is ordered only once or twice daily must be given at home and will not be administered at school unless the school receives a letter from the physician explaining why the medication must be given at school instead of at home.
- The original pharmacy container with the label that includes the student’s name, physician name, name of medication, strength, dosage, time interval and route.
- Over-the-counter medications must be in unexpired original container and all manufacturers’ labeling must be legible. All over-the-counter medications must be supplied by the parent/legal guardian. The school will not supply any medications.
- All medications to be given at school require a physician’s signature on the school form.
- The information on the medical form and the medication bottle must be the same.
- Medication will not be accepted in household containers, envelopes or baggies.
Medication will not be provided by the nurse or the teacher from his/her supply.
A new medication form must be completed and signed for each medication, change of medication order or new school year.
All medications must be brought to the school by an adult. Medications and paperwork will be reviewed by the school nurse before administration of medication.
Medications cannot be transported on the school bus.
No district employee will be responsible for administering any medication on field trips or school-sponsored events.
It is the responsibility of the parent to obtain all unused medication from the school when it is discontinued, the school year ends or the student leaves the district. All medication left in the school will be disposed of by the school nurse or delegate.
Students may always keep diabetic medications with them if permitted by the parent/legal guardian, physician, school nurse and the school receives all appropriate forms from the parent and physician.
Students may always keep their asthma inhalers with them; however, the parent/guardian must meet the following requirements:
- Provide written authorization for self-administration to the school.
- Provide a written statement from the student’s health care provider that the student has asthma and has been instructed in self-administration of asthma medications. The statement should also contain:
  - the name and purpose of the medication
  - the prescribed dosage
  - the time and circumstances the medications are to be regularly administered
  - the length of time for which the medications are prescribed
The district and its employees and agents shall incur no liability because of any injury sustained by the student from the self-administration of asthma medications. Upon fulfilling the requirements of this section, a student with asthma may possess and use asthma medications when at school, at a school-sponsored activity, under the supervision of school personnel or before and after normal school activities while on school properties including school-sponsored childcare or after-school programs.

If your student requires an inhaler at school for prophylaxis before exercise or for treatment of asthma symptoms please bring the inhaler to the school office along with the Asthma Action Plan. This form must be signed by you and your student's doctor and renewed every year. Your student may carry the inhaler with him/her if they are able to safely self-administer the medication and it is approved by their physician. The Asthma Action Plan is still required when your student carries an inhaler.

Asthma Form

Diabetes

Food Allergies, Intolerances or Special Diets

Medication Administration Form

Severe Allergy Plan with Epipen

If you child has a severe allergy in need of an Epipen please provide an Epipen/Benadryl to the school office along with the Allergy Action Plan provided below. This Allergy Action Plan must be completed by your doctor and renewed every year. If your child may require an Individualized Health Care Plan for precautions and accommodations in the classroom contact the school nurse.

Student Allergy Care Plan

Seizure Action Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

If my student forgets to take their medication, may I bring it to the school?

My student takes medication daily. What do I need to do?

My student needs a sports physical. What do I do?

Are students allowed to bring medication for headaches, cramps, colds, etc?

What if my student has head lice?

Parents will be required to come for their student if live bugs are found. The student will not be allowed to attend school until proof of treatment is obtained.

Please note, the Forrest County Health Department will be notified when a child has a third occurrence of head lice. Repeated occurrences are considered neglect and may be reported to the Forrest County Department of Human Services.

Help Keep Petal Students Healthy

Students will be sent home if any of the following symptoms are present.

Good rules of thumb:

Running fever over 100?
- Do not return to school
Vomiting three or more times in 24 hours?
- Do not return to school
Only return when the doctor approves
Bring a doctor's note to school for absences from illness

COVID-19

Diarrhea

Fifth's Disease

Flu and Pneumonia

Hand, Foot and Mouth

Impetigo

Lice

Mononucleosis (Mono)

Pink Eye

Ringworm

Scabies

Staph Infection

Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever

School Immunization Requirements

Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection that includes meningitis, swelling of the tissues around the brain and spinal cord: bacteremia, a severe blood infection; and pneumonia, a lung infection. It can be spread through coughs, sneezes and the exchange of respiratory droplets. As a result, individuals can catch the disease through common, everyday activities such as sharing water bottles, cups and utensils; kissing; and being in close quarters such as a dormitory or sleep-away camps.

Meningococcal disease can be difficult to recognize because early symptoms or signs are similar to those of common viral illnesses, such as the flu. The disease is rare, but serious. It develops quickly and can take the life of an otherwise healthy child in as little as one day after symptoms first appear.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that a child receive an initial vaccination at age 11 or 12, followed by a second vaccination at age 16. If you are unsure if your child is up to date with the recommended vaccinations please consult your healthcare provider.

Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Required Immunizations

MyIR: Get Immunization Records and Forms Online

Student Accident Insurance

The SeMRHI Petal Health Clinic

The Petal School District has partnered with the Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative (SeMRHI) to provide the students of the district with affordable and convenient health care. The Petal Health Clinic is located on Stadium Drive and can be used by any student currently enrolled free of charge. The clinic is staffed by a SeMRHI nurse practitioner and is open from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. year-round. Students wishing to use this service must complete a registration form and health history.

If your child needs a sports physical for school please see your healthcare provider or contact SEMRHI Clinic.

P: 601.450.2144 | F: 601.450.2145 | Address: 36 Panther Stadium Dr, Petal, MS 39465