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Health Room

Is my child too sick for school?

It can be difficult for a parent to know if their child should come to school when the parent knows the child is not feeling well. Here are a few guidelines to consider when making that decision.

1. Does the child have a fever?

  • Keep your child home until his or her fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication.
  • Does the child have symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as:
    • Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite
    • Productive coughing, sneezing
    • Headache, body aches, earache
    • Sore throat
      • A minor sore throat may not be a problem, but a severe sore throat could be strep, even if there is no fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children include headache and stomachache. Contact your healthcare provider to see if your child needs a throat culture.

2. Has the child been vomiting or diarrhea?

3. Do you think your child may be contagious to other children?

Please note: these tips should not take the place of medical advice from a healthcare provider.

If my child is sick, how do I help them feel better?

  • Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and reduced screen time
  • Encourage fluids such as water, soup, juice and ice
  • Help your child relax by reading a story and giving plenty of TLC
  • Consider using cool humidifier

How can I prevent my child from getting sick?

  • Teach your child to wash his or her hands frequently, using plenty of soap and warm water
  • Teach your child to cough and sneeze into an elbow
  • Keep the child’s environment tobacco free
  • Try to minimize the time your child spends with others who have respiratory symptoms
  • Keep an annual well-child exam to follow the changes in your child’s health
  • Keep all of your child’s immunizations up-to-date
  • Prevention guidelines now recommend an annual flu shot for most children from the age of 6 months
  • Serve a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Daily vitamins may be recommended by your child’s healthcare provider
  • After your child is feeling better, clean all surfaces, wash bedding, and air out the room
  • Keep surfaces like door knobs, phones, remote controls, toys, and keyboards clean
  • Always make sure to consult with healthcare professionals with concerns or questions

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Four Georgians Health Room at 324-1291

Medication at School Policy

Medication Policy

Students should not take medication during school hours or during school-related activities unless it is necessary for a student’s health and well-being. When a student’s licensed health care provider and parents believe that it is necessary for the student to take a medication during school hours, they must request that the school dispense the medication to their child and otherwise follow the District’s procedures on dispensing medication.

The Board will permit administration of medication to students in schools. A school may administer medication to any student in the school or may delegate this task pursuant to Montana law.

In special cases the school nurse, doctor, and parents may agree on a plan for administration of medication during school hours. The physician shall then be requested by the parents to prescribe duplicate bottles of said medication if it is necessary that it be taken during school hours. One bottle will be kept at school under the care of school authorities. Both bottles shall contain the name and telephone number of the pharmacy, the pupil’s identification number, the name of the prescribing physician, and the dosage of the drug to the given.

See: Board Policy 3070.

Emergency Administration of Medication

A school nurse or designee may administer emergency medication to any student in need thereof on school grounds, in a school building, or at a school function, according to a standing order of a chief medical advisor or a student’s licensed health care provider.

Administration of Medication

Prior to any medication being given at school the following conditions must be met:

1. Prescription Medication

  • All medications must come in the original container and must include: the student’s name, medication name, route, dose, time and name of prescribing health care provider.
  • A completed “Authorization for Medication to be Given at School” form for all prescription medications must be signed or verbally authorized by the parent or guardian.
  • A signed order from a health care provider with prescriptive authority or the original pharmacy container is required.

2. Over the Counter Medications

  • Pre K-8th grade students: A licensed health care provider must provide a written order for administration of said over the counter medication and written or verbal authorization from the parent must be on file. The medication must be in the original container.
  • 9th grade – 12th grade students: Parents who want the school to manage over the counter medication for their high school student must complete a written authorization form.
  • 9th – 12th grade students may keep a small quantity of non-prescribed, parent recommended medication with them and may self-administer, according to package directions on a short term basis.
  • Parents may be contacted by the School Nurse if concerns arise over health issues, need for medication, or inappropriate use.
Authorization for Medicine to be Given in School