Health Services

Guidelines: Am I Well Enough to go to School?  

Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748 adheres to recommendations made by the Minnesota Department of Health regarding excluding children from school for contagious/communicable illnesses. We ask for your cooperation in this so that we may promote a healthy, safe environment for all students.

Pre-K Immunization Form   K-12 Immunization Form

It is Minnesota Law that all students enrolled in school be up-to-date with his/her immunizations or parent(s)/guardian(s) file a notarized legal exemption with the school.  Please check with your child's primary health care provider to see if he/she has received all the immunizations.  The health office must be provided updated immunization records.  If there is a medical or religious exemption to any vaccine, parent(s)/guardian(s) are required to provide the health office with notarized documentation.

Please be advised that according to Minnesota Statutes 121A.15, all students must receive the necessary immunizations and provide documentation to the school by mid-August (see district calendar for specific date) or they will be excluded from school until this requirement is met.

Hennepin County Infectious Diseases in Childcare Settings and Schools manual

Sartell-St. Stephen Public Schools follows the infectious disease guidelines as outlined in the Hennepin County Infectious Diseases in Childcare Settings and Schools Manual.

Fact sheets provide prevention and control information on common infectious diseases seen in a school or childcare setting such as chickenpox, COVID-19, impetigo, pink eye, and head lice and strep throat. All standards follow recommendations by the American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Medication procedure (printer-friendly)

General Medication Requirements
Medical Order and Parent/Guardian Permission

• All medications administered or taken at school require a current healthcare provider's order and written parent/guardian permission.
• Medication orders and authorization forms must be submitted to the school nurse and renewed each school year.
• This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and essential oils.

Medication Authorization Form

• A Medication Authorization Form, provided by the healthcare provider or school district, must be completed by a licensed prescriber and parent/guardian before medication can be administered.

Prescription Medications

• Must be provided in a pharmacy-labeled container that includes the student's name, medication, dosage, directions, prescribing provider, administration time, and pharmacy information.

Over-the-Counter Medications

• Require a healthcare provider's order and parent/guardian authorization.
• Must be provided in the original, unopened container with the manufacturer's label and the student's name clearly marked.

Medication Delivery and Pickup

• A parent/guardian must deliver and pick up all medications and refills from the health office.
• All medications and medical supplies must be picked up by the last day of school. Unclaimed items will be disposed of according to district procedures.

Medication Administration

• Medication may be administered by trained, authorized school personnel and is not limited to licensed nurses.
• Medication will not be administered if required documentation, authorization, or labeling is incomplete. Parents/guardians will be contacted to resolve any issues.
• Exceptions to this procedure must be reviewed and approved by the District Licensed School Nurse.

Unauthorized Medication

• Students may not possess, administer, or share unauthorized medications at school. Violations may result in parent/guardian notification and disciplinary action.

Elementary School Cough Drops
Elementary school students may use cough drops without a healthcare provider's order when a parent/guardian has completed the Cough Drop Authorization Form.

• The container/bag must be labeled with the student's name, grade, and teacher's name.
• Cough drops may only be used as authorized by the parent/guardian and in accordance with school procedures.

High School Non-Prescription Medication Policy
High school students may be permitted to possess and self-administer certain over-the-counter medications with written parent/guardian authorization and approval under district procedures.

• Parents/guardians must complete the Non-Prescription Medication Authorization Form, identifying the medications the student may possess and self-administer.
• Medications must remain in the original manufacturer's container and be used according to the manufacturer's directions.
• Approved medications may include pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil, or Midol), cold medications, and allergy medications.
• Medications may be stored in the student's locker or health office, as permitted by district procedures.
• Students may not share medications with others.
• The district may revoke authorization if medication is misused, shared, used contrary to directions, or creates a safety concern.
• Medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine are not permitted under this provision.

Sartell-St. Stephen Schools procedure for medication administration on 2 hour late start days:

When there is a two hour late start to the school day, the nursing staff will not administer medication ordered before that days start time (see below). Parents/guardians must administer morning medication at home on two hour late start days.

• ORELC medications ordered before 10:00 must be given at home.
• PMPS medications ordered before 9:50 must be given at home.
• RIS medications ordered before 10:00 must be given at home.
• SMS medications ordered before 10:40 must be given at home.
• SHS medications ordered before 10:40 must be given at home.

If there are extenuating circumstances where the medication is unable to be given at home on a two hour late start day, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to communicate to the nurse (via phone call, email or note sent with the student) that the medication was not given at home and should be given at school.

Medication Administration Authorization