- Rockwood School District
- Overview
Overview
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School nurses are in each student building to advance the well-being and academic success of students, specifically through health education and promotion.
We are available for emergencies and acute illness care, but also provide chronic health condition management and education and promote student and family capacity for adaptation, self advocacy and management to promote learning.
We do whatever it takes to keep our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn!
From the Nurse's Office: How Sick is too Sick for School?
When your child says “I don’t feel well,” it can cause some concern and can certainly throw a wrench into your plans for the day. Although we are no longer monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms, many of those same symptoms are still good reasons to keep your child home from school. We have always asked that students with a fever (temperature of 100.0+ degrees), vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours remain at home until they are symptom-free for 24 full hours without the use of medication to alleviate the symptoms.
But what about sniffles, or a cough or sore throat? You know your child best, so use your judgment. Please be aware that giving your child acetaminophen or cold medication and sending them to school is generally not in the best interest of your child or those around them. Such students often end up visiting the school nurse when that medication wanes. We recommend that you keep your child home for a day to see if the symptoms improve or become worse. If they worsen, it’s a good time to call their primary health care provider for advice. If by mid-morning they are acting fine and feeling well without the use of medication, please consider bringing them to school, if you’d like!
As you’ve likely heard, the nation is seeing an early influenza season, a surge in RSV, and of course, other run-of-the-mill childhood respiratory viruses, and the St. Louis area is no exception. We want to take as many precautions as possible to help ensure the health of our students and staff members. As the holidays grow close, many of us will be interacting with extended families, including the very young and the elderly, both of whom are at higher risk for severe respiratory illness.
Please keep your child home - and staff members stay home - if you have any of the following:
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fever
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vomiting
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diarrhea
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persistent cough
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body aches
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generally feeling unwell
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severe sore throat
The best way for us all to remain well is for those who are ill to remain at home, and by practicing frequent and thorough handwashing. We appreciate your partnership in doing all we can to keep our staff and students safe and healthy through this cold and flu season.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What guidelines are in place for foods provided to students?
All foods provided to students must be commercially prepared, include a full ingredient list, and meet the Smart Snack Guidelines. Home prepared foods to share are prohibited due to the increasing incidence of food allergies and the possibility of food borne illness.
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Why do you require a doctor's note for an over the counter medication?
The registered nurses of the district are practicing according to the Missouri Nurse Practice Act, and as a requirement may only give medications when ordered by a physician.
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Can my child carry their medication in their backpack?
Per state law, any child may carry and administer emergency, life saving medications. This typically includes albuterol inhalers (for asthmatics) and epinephrine auto injectors (for severe allergic reactions). At the elementary level, we encourage students to leave theses medications with the nurse, or have them strategically located throughout the building. As students mature, we do encourage them to begin to carry their medication. Please check with your school nurse for requirements to do so.
High school students may also carry medications such as ibuprofen, but again, we require proper paperwork in place to allow this. Students may not carry any controlled substances.
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Why do you need my child's immunization record?
The State requires schools to collect and report immunization data on all students enrolled in Rockwood. All students are to be fully immunized (according to the state guidelines) or properly exempted, which is allowed only for religious and medical reasons, once a child reaches school age. See the full State Statute. For information on religious exemptions, contact the St. Louis City or County Department of Health. For information on medical exemptions, contact your primary health care provider, or specialist.
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Why do you need a physical for my student?
We require a physical at initial enrollment and again upon entry to 6th grade for all students. Our physical education program involves activity for the students and a physical is our way of assuring students are able to participate in such activities, as well as recess for our elementary students. Routine adolescent immunizations may also be required for continued school attendance, hence the physical requirement at the 6th grade level.
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Can my child bring cough drops to soothe a cough?
Cough drops contain an "active ingredient" and therefore are considered an over the counter medication. Parent permission and physician orders must be on file for students to be allowed this medication.
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What do I do if my child has head lice?
Head lice are common among school-aged children and carry no illness or disease, but they are a nusiance. Contact your primary health care provider for their advice. Many over-the-counter preparations are available, but there are also prescription options. Check everyone in your family for infestation. Please DO let your school nurse and parents of all close friends know so they can be on the lookout and checking their own children. Your child MAY return to school once they've been treated, but do check in with the school nurse. For more information, please visit the CDC information page.
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What are the guidelines for recess and P.E. outdoors?
Temperature (including wind chill or heat index)
Below 20 degrees - Stay Inside
20-95 degrees - Outside Normal Time
Above 95 degrees - Stay Inside
With cold weather, children improperly clothed should not be allowed outside. With warm weather, running should be limited and water/shade available for students. These guidelines are not the same as MSHSAA for after-school outdoor activities. They are recommendations of the Rockwood School District consulting physician with input from district administrators.
Contact Information
Wellness and Health Services
- . Administrative Center
- . Main Line 636-733-2008
- . Fax 636-733-8868
Did You Know?
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If parents want to know what ingredients are used in the school lunches, contact the Rockwood dietitian.
Cafeteria managers enter student allergens into our point of sale program. When the student scans his/her finger or enters the student ID, a message pops up alerting the cashier to the student's food allergies.
Rockwood staff members have mandated food allergy management training which covers avoidance, cross contamination, symptoms and treatment. All teachers and nurses leave detailed information for any substitutes they may have during the school year.