Health Center/Nurse

 Welcome to the Health Center    

Debra Lawhon, LPN

623-445-3010 ~  debra.lawhon@dvusd.org

Office hours M-F  7:15 AM to 2:30 PM 

IF YOUR STUDENT IS ILL WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS PLEASE HAVE YOUR STUDENT REMAIN AT HOME.

• FEVER OF 100 DEGREES OR HIGHER
• NEW LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL
• CHILLS AND/OR BODY ACHES
• RUNNY NOSE/SORE THROAT/NASAL CONGESTION
• SHORTNESS OF BREATH/TROUBLE BREATHING
• NAUSEA, VOMITING, DIARRHEA OR STOMACH ACHE
• HEADACHE  

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PICK UP YOUR STUDENT FROM SCHOOL IF THEY HAVE A TEMPERATURE OF 100 DEGREES OR HIGHER WITHIN AN HOUR OF HAVING BEEN NOTIFIED OF ILLNESS.

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year.  I'm very happy to welcome all new students and a special welcome back to all returning students. 

Let me share with you a few things we can ALL do to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Handwashing is of extreme importance to prevent the spread of illness.

• WASH YOUR HANDS SEVERAL TIME A DAY.
• PLEASE REMAIN AT HOME IF YOU ARE ILL. 

Please discuss food safety with your child. I would like to recommend that students chew foods completely while eating, sit upright while eating and minimize talking and laughing while eating to avoid choking.  

To all parents and guardians:  Medications can be dropped off at the Health Center for the school year by parent or guardian only.  Please do not send your student to school with any medication.   In accordance with the Arizona School Board Association and the DVUSD Governing Board Policy JLCD, a written doctor's order will now be required for any prescription medication or dietary supplement.  The form can be obtained from the school nurse.  Please contact the school nurse with any questions at 623-445-3010.  

Students with Asthma or an allergy that requires the use of an inhaler or Epi Pen may carry these medications on their person while on campus. Parents must sign a self-carry form that is kept on file in the Health Office. Diabetic students may carry their supplies while on campus. Any other medications must be kept in the Health Center. This includes OTC medications including cough drops, eye drops, Tylenol and Ibuprofen.  OTC MEDICATIONS WILL BE STORED ON A LIMITED BASIS.      ****NO STUDENT MAY TRANSPORT MEDICATIONS TO SCHOOL FOR THE NURSE TO ADMINISTER***.

The Health Center provides on-campus health screenings, assessment and education as well as first-aid and nursing care for students and staff. The Health Center is NOT a primary care facility. By law, the nurse is not allowed to make a medical diagnosis or prescribe treatment. When accidents or illness occur during school hours, basic first-aid and/or emergency care will be given according to Arizona State Board of Nursing standards and practices. The nurse may suggest further medical follow-up in certain circumstances. Further care is the responsibility of the parents. 

All students must have written proof of all State of Arizona required immunizations for school attendance, or a valid exemption on file in order to attend school. Arizona law allows exemptions for medical reasons per your physician's documented request, laboratory evidence of immunity and personal beliefs. Exemption forms are available from the Health Center. When initially enrolling your student, please include an updated copy of their immunization record with your registration information for the Registrar. When your child receives vaccinations at any time, please bring a current copy of the record to the Health Center so we can update our records. If you receive a note or message of "Inadequate Immunizations" for your child, please complete these by the date indicated. Failure to complete this in a timely manner is a violation of Arizona law and your child may be excluded from attending school until you comply with the requirements. Immunization clinics are held throughout the school year. Information is available by calling 623-445-3010. Flyers are also available in the front office.  

FREE IMMUNIZATIONS AVAILABLE!  Please visit the Maricopa County Department of Public Health at the West Valley Immunization Clinic located at:

West Valley Immunization Clinic
1850 N. 95th Ave.  Suite 184
Phoenix, Arizona 85037
Phone: 602-506-6767

Please call and schedule an appointment.

Hearing and vision screenings are done throughout the school year for all 9th grade students, SPED students, new students to our

district and students that have left and then returned to our district.

ILLNESS PROCEDURE-

PLEASE DON'T SEND SICK CHILDREN TO SCHOOL ONLY TO HAVE THE NURSE CALL YOU TO COME FOR YOUR CHILD. THE NURSE CAN'T PROVIDE YOU WITH AN EXCUSE FOR YOUR EMPLOYER TO MISS OR LEAVE WORK DUE TO A SICK CHILD.

First-aid and medical care provided by the school nurse is primarily for illnesses or injuries that occur at school during the school day. The Health Center is NOT a primary care facility like a doctor's office, Urgent Care or the ER. The nurse is qualified to collaborate with you and your child's physician to provide a healthy educational environment in which your child can learn and thrive. The nurse does not make medical diagnoses or prescribe treatments or medications but can provide treatments and medications as prescribed by a physician with a doctor's order. 

 
ILLNESS / COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
 
1. School is no place for a sick child. Please do not send your child to school if:

• - They have a fever of 100.0 or higher
• - Persistent cough
• - Rash of ANY type
• - Chest congestion or pain with or without shortness of breath. Seek immediate medical attention from your physician.
• - have vomited within the last 12 hours
• - have any diarrhea in the last 12 hours
• - or have any of the symptoms listed below. Children should be free of fever for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Ibuprofen before returning to school, regardless of how they feel. If your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease such as Strep throat or pink eye, they must have been on antibiotic treatment (and free of fever) for 24 hours prior to returning to school. A PHYSICIANS NOTE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE STUDENT TO RETURN TO SCHOOL.

Signs/symptoms of illness:

• - Fever (oral temp of 100.0 or more)
• - Diarrhea, loose stools
• - Red, watery eyes, pus or crust in corners of the eyes
• - Constant sneezing and/or deep cough, constantly runny nose
• - Unexplained rash
• - Headache
• - Nausea or vomiting
• - Swelling to neck or face
• - Flushed face or paleness
• - Sore throat
• - Painful earache
• -Stomachache

2. DO NOT SEND A SICK CHILD TO SCHOOL FOR THE SCHOOL NURSE TO DECIDE WEATHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD BE IN SCHOOL. If in doubt, call your family physician. School nurses can assess and refer but DO NOT DIAGNOSE OR PRESCRIBE and will always refer to you and/or your physician.

3. If your child sustains an injury at home or off campus  PLEASE TAKE CARE OF IT AT HOME. The nurse is more than happy to take care of injuries that happen during school hours but the nurse is not here to take the place of your primary physician's evaluation and treatment. Please call your physician as needed.

4. If your child becomes ill enough to be removed from school, has more than a minor injury, or has an emergency, you will be notified. It is the parent's responsibility to make arrangements to pick up an ill or injured child promptly within one hour of notification. Students are not permitted to walk home sick, even with permission. Please make sure there are up-to-date home/work numbers on your child's emergency card. Please notify the school immediately of any changes in phone numbers. If your child has a temperature in the health office of 100 degrees or greater, they will be sent home per Maricopa County guidelines. Any child with an undiagnosed rash will be sent home and should remain out of school until all symptoms are gone or a physician verifies (with a written note) that the child is not contagious and is well enough to return to school. If your child is sent home by the school nurse due to fever, vomiting or diarrhea they may not return to school for at least 24 hours, even if they are feeling better.

If every parent follows these procedures  it will save a lot of suffering and prevent the spread of contagious diseases, some that may be life threatening.

AS ALWAYS, hand washing is the best defense against the spread of germs. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water is the best method. Do not hesitate to call your physician if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child well being.