Health Services

Many health care services can be provided for students to keep them at school where they can learn and participate with other students. Our goal is to provide information to parents and legal guardians about some of the services and programs available for addressing the health care needs of students during the school day to help students succeed in school. It is important that the necessary health care information is shared with the appropriate people to ensure that the students’ needs are met throughout the school day. 

School Nurse

ECMCS employs a full time registered nurse to monitor student health records and provide aid for student health concerns. A completed medical information form is required for school admission. It is the parent’s responsibility to update the form if their child’s condition changes. In addition, an individualized health plan will be developed for specific conditions such as asthma or other ongoing health concerns. Our nurse is an RN and can be contacted at christythompson@montessoricharterschool.com

Services Available for Students with Special Health Care Needs Parent Notice Required By S.C. Code Ann. Section 59-63-90 (Supp. 2005) 

Individual Health Care Plans or Individual Health Plans (IHPs)

Individual health care plans are also called individual health plans or IHPs. School nurses who are registered nurses write IHPs to guide how a student’s health care needs will be met while at school. The nurse works with the student, the student’s parents or legal guardians, the student’s health care provider, and other school staff to write the plan. IHPs are written for students who have special health care needs that must be met by school staff during the school day. IHPs are also written for students who have been approved by the school district to self-medicate or self-monitor. 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) 

Section 504 is a federal civil rights law under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, including public schools, ensuring they get a free appropriate public education (FAPE) with necessary accommodations like a 504 Plan to provide equal access, unlike IDEA which focuses solely on special education. It requires schools to provide accommodations for students with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit major life activities, ensuring they aren't excluded or treated differently. 

 A team decides if a student is eligible. The team should include the student’s parent or legal guardian, the student (if appropriate), and others who know the student or know about the student’s disability, such as a teacher, an administrator, a guidance counselor, a school psychologist, nurse, and other school staff. If the student is eligible, the team develops an individual accommodation plan. The individual accommodation plan explains how the student’s needs will be met while at school and may include health services for the student during the school day if needed. 

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 

Students, ages 3 through 21 years, may receive services under the IDEA if the student qualifies for special education and related services to access his or her educational program. A team decides if a student qualifies for services under the IDEA. The team includes the student’s parent or legal guardian, administrator, school psychologist, teachers, and other school staff. The team develops an individualized education program (IEP) if the student meets federal and state requirements. The IEP outlines a plan for helping the student receive a free appropriate public education and meet goals set by the team. The IEP may include health services for the student during the school day if needed. 

Medical Homebound Instruction 

South Carolina mandates regarding medical homebound instruction appear in the State Board of Education Regulation 43-241, Regulation 43-241 says that students who cannot attend public school because of illness, accident or pregnancy, even with the aid of transportation, are eligible for medical homebound or hospitalized instruction. A physician must certify that the student is unable to attend school but may profit from instruction given in the home, another location, or hospital. The school’s LEA or his/her designee may approve or deny any student requesting homebound instruction. A school or district representative may contact the parent and doctor to request additional information and discuss strategies to maintain the student in the school environment. The parent has the right to appeal the homebound decision made by the superintendent or designee and school team. The appeal must be made in writing to the Department of Alternative Programs and Services within 10 days of receipt of the homebound denial letter from the school. Homebound service is appropriate for short term intervention and should not be viewed as a long term placement for regular school attendance. Homebound instruction is designed so the student does not fall significantly behind. Homebound services are approved for 45 instructional days at a time. If it is necessary for homebound instruction to continue beyond the approved period of time, a new Medical Homebound Instruction Form will be required. The school or district representative may ask for additional information regarding the student’s individual health/treatment plan, progress towards treatment goals, and specific plans to transition the student back to the school setting in order to justify the need for extended services. 

Health Services for Medication and Medical Procedures 

No student shall carry medicine in school except for students given permission to do so by the Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) to guard against a life threatening condition. All medications must be brought to the school by a responsible adult and delivered to the school nurse, or the principal. All medications administered at school require a Doctor’s Order.

For all families - If your child takes medication, you must sign in medications directly with the nurse along with the completed doctor’s order form (linked above). Please contact your Physician's office ASAP to obtain orders for the upcoming school year, as many offices are inundated with requests at the start of school. These are due to Nurse Christy by August 7th before noon. Nurse Christy will accept medication on August 3rd - 6th at the main school office between 8:00 am-12:00 pm

Medications

1. Medication may not be transported to or from school by students.

2. When possible, medications should be given by parents/guardians before or after school hours.

3. Any prescription medication to be given at school or school related activities must be accompanied by written orders from a health care practitioner who is recognized by SC’s Dept of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation as authorized to prescribe medications and accompanied by a completed CCSD Medication/Procedure Doctor’s Order form.

4. CCSD and ECMCS reserve the right to refuse to honor medication requests that are not consistent with professional standards and/or deemed unsafe for the school setting. If this occurs, alternatives for meeting the students’ needs will be discussed.

5. Medical Procedures require receipt of the completed CCSD Medication/Procedure Doctor’s Orders form and necessary equipment for the procedure.

6. The school nurse, in consultation with the parents/guardians, physician and student, will develop an IHP for the medical procedure.

Parent/Guardian Responsibility

1. Deliver the completed CCSD Medication/ Procedure Doctor’s Orders form along with medication in the original labeled prescription container and/or proper equipment for medical procedure to the school.

2. Inform the school of any changes in the student’s health condition, medical procedure, or medication.

3. Update CCSD/ECMCS forms annually or when there is any change in the medication or medical procedure.

4. Pick up any unused medication or medical supplies within one week of discontinuation or last day for students, whichever comes first, after which medications will be disposed of.

5. Provide no more than thirty (30) day supply of medication to the school.

6. Be responsible for medication/equipment until it is received by the school nurse or an administrator.

*The form can be found on the Nurse section of the website.

Guidelines regarding readmission after common childhood illnesses:

Colds: Students may return when there is no presence of yellow or green mucus, which may be related to an infection (may return if there is no elevated temperature, sore throat, or severe cough).

Conjunctivitis: Students who have pink or red eyes, and who have eye pain, reddened eyelids, with white or yellow discharge, or eyelids matted after sleep, may have purulent conjunctivitis and should not be in school until treatment.  

Diarrhea: Students may return when free of diarrhea for 24 hours or more if caused by illness and not medication.

Fever: Students must be fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours.

Head Lice: Students may return after completing an approved treatment. A parent must accompany the child into school upon return and provide proof of treatment (the lice shampoo bottle or medication box). No live lice may be present at the time of re-admittance.

Strep Throat: Students may return after treatment with antibiotics for at least 24 hours.

Vomiting: Students may return when free from vomiting for 24 hours or more.

A more detailed description of all illnesses that require school exclusion can be found in the Nurse Services Department section of the CCSD website.

Note: A faculty member certified in CPR and first aid is available at all times during regular school hours. ECMCS also has an AED Defibrillator.

Vaccinations 

ALL vaccinations required for each student must be properly documented and submitted to the school nurse by July 31st. 

**Non-compliant students cannot begin school until proof of vaccination is provided to the school on a South Carolina Certificate of Immunization form or an exemption is on file. This is State Law!