St. Francis Area Schools Health Services provides services necessary to promote student health so that health concerns do not become obstacles to learning.

Regular attendance at school is very important, yet we do not want children to come to school when they are ill. Remember that a child, ill with an infectious disease, can spread the disease when in contact with others in the family and community. Here are some basic guidelines to follow when concerned about whether your son/daughter should stay home or attend school:

• If your child has a temperature of 100 degrees or more, they should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal.

• If your child has vomited or had diarrhea, they should stay home for 24 hours after the last episode.

• If your child has any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your health care provider before sending them to school.

• If your child has had a throat culture to rule out strep, they should stay home until the results of the test are known. If it is positive for strep, they will need to be on antibiotic therapy for 24 hours before returning to school.

• If you have any questions regarding this information or your child’s illness, please call the health office at your child’s school.

Sick Children in School

If your child becomes ill during the school day you will be called and your child will be sent home. Certain conditions such as impetigo, scabies, head lice and undiagnosed rashes require the child to be at home until treatments have been obtained.

Communicable Diseases

The health office will notify parents when communicable diseases, such as strep throat and chicken pox, are recurrent in your child’s classroom.

Allergies

Frequently, children have various allergies due to food, pets, and environmental conditions. It is important that health services be made aware of any of your child's allergies. If your child is known to be severely allergic to insect bites, peanuts, etc., it is important that you work with the school nurse in developing an emergency plan in case of a reaction.

School Health Rooms

All schools have health rooms equipped with cots and basic first aid supplies. Minor scrapes and bruises are attended to and parents contacted if the child needs to go home or require medical attention. If immediate medical attention is required, the emergency medical team will be called and the child will be transported to the nearest hospital.

School Health Record

Minnesota state law requires schools to maintain a permanent health record for every student. This record includes immunization dates, screening, and health concerns, and follows the student from kindergarten through graduation. Parents are requested to notify the school of health concerns, updated immunizations, and other conditions affecting the health of their child.

Dental Health

Dental health is emphasized in the overall health program.

Special Health Concerns

When students have special health concerns (diabetes, asthma, heart problems, allergies, seizure disorders, ADHD, etc.), parents are urged to contact their school health office so that appropriate arrangements and accommodations, if necessary, may be made. Licensed school nurses are alerted to the special needs of students and work with the teachers and staff to ensure the student’s safety.

All students in St. Francis Area Schools are required to be immunized or show freedom from the common communicable diseases as required by Minnesota State Immunization Law (M.S. 121A.15). Failure to be immunized or show evidence of freedom from such diseases will result in the student's exclusion from school. 
St. Francis Area Schools has adopted the No Shots, No School policy. Students must show compliance with the Minnesota State Immunization Law prior to attending school. If it is against your beliefs to have your child immunized or if your health care provider has indicated that your child should not receive an immunization you may file a medical exemption signed by a health care provider or a conscientious objection signed by parent/guardian and notarized.
All immunizations must be completed and health office records updated prior to the first day of school.

View the Minnesota Department of Health Immunization Law information.

IMMUNIZATIONS NEEDED

Medication Policy

The school district acknowledges that some students may require prescribed and/or over-the-counter medication during the school day. The following requirements must be met to have the medication administered during the school day:

• Prescription and over-the-counter medication requires a written order from the licensed prescriber and a signed authorization from the parent/guardian.

• Download the Administration of Medication Form

• Prescription medication must be in the original prescription container appropriately labeled for the student by the pharmacy or licensed prescriber.

• Over-the-counter medication must come in the original unopened container with the proper label.

• Medication should be brought to school by the parent/guardian or according to an individual plan developed between the school nurse and parent/guardian.

• If medication is to be carried by the student during the school day, such as an inhaler, there must be written permission from the licensed prescriber and an agreement signed by the student, parent, and the health office.

Emergency Cards

This information is essential so parents may be contacted when students become ill, need to be sent home, or in case of an emergency. It is very important to list friends or neighbors who may be called and are willing to provide transportation if you are not at home. Please keep the health office updated on any changes throughout the year.

Mental Health Support

Health Camps

Health Topics

Physical Exams

Health Resources

Screening Programs

Section 504

Each health office is staffed with a health education assistant who works under the supervision of a licensed school nurse. The health assistant is on duty throughout the day to attend to sudden illnesses, emergencies, and to administer medications. A licensed school nurse is available in each building. The role of the nurse includes supervising the health office, assessing special health concerns, consulting families and students to address the special needs of students and maintaining a healthy environment for learning.

Holly Coy, RN
Licensed School Nurse 
St. Francis High School, St. Francis Learning Center, Crossroads School, Homeschool/Non-Public
holly.coy@isd15.org
763-213-1670

Jami Rinderknecht, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
St. Francis High School
jami.rinderknecht@isd15.org
763-213-1530

Beth Anderson, LSN
Licensed School Nurse
Cedar Creek Elementary School/East Bethel Elementary School/Early Childhood Family Center
beth.anderson1@isd15.org
763-213-8876

Dakota Wellman, LPN
Health Educational Assistant
East Bethel Elementary School
dakota.wellman@isd15.org
763-213-8910

Heidi Book, RN
Licensed School Nurse
St. Francis Middle School, St. Francis Elementary School
heidi.book@isd15.org
763-213-8510

Sarah Sarracco, LPN
Licensed School Nurse
St. Francis Learning Center
sarah.sarracco@isd15.org
763-753-7239

Jaclynn Rothbauer
Health Educational Assistant
Cedar Creek Elementary School
jaclynn.rothbauer@isd15.org
763-213-8800

Teresa Cadwell
Health Educational Assistant
St. Francis Elementary School
teresa.cadwell@isd15.org
763-213-8708

Victoria Gerlach, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
St. Francis Middle School
victoria.gerlach@isd15.org
763-213-8530

Amber Johnstone, LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Early Childhood Family Center
amber.johnstone@isd15.org
763-213-7180