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Medical Conditions Protocols

  • Head lice
    • School nurses may perform routine lice checks routinely throughout the school year.Students may be sent not be allowed to return to school for at least 24 hours following discovery of lice in order to give families sufficient time to complete the following requirements. Treat the individual and the entire family (it may be a good idea to advise extended family including grandparents, etc. if they have frequent contact). Treatment requires using an over-the-counter or prescription medication. We strongly urge you to contact your family physician.
    • The following treatment steps are recommended:
      • 1. Remove all clothing and launder.
      • 2. Apply lice medicine, also called pediculicide, according to label instructions. If your child has extra-long hair, you may need to use a second bottle. WARNING: Do not use a conditioner or combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice medicine. Do not re-wash hair for 1-2 days after treatment. Follow the directions on the medication carefully.
      • 3. Clean clothing should be worn after treatment.
      • 4. If some live lice are still found 8-12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not retreat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair. The medicine sometimes takes longer to kill the lice.
      • 5. Nit (head lice egg) combs, often found in lice medicine packages, should be used to remove nits and lice from the hair shaft. Many flea combs made for cats and dogs are also effective.
      • 6. If, 8-12 hours after treatment, no dead lice are found and lice seem as active as before, the medicine may not be working. See your health care provider for a different medication and follow their treatment instructions.
      • 7. After treatment, check, comb, and remove nits and lice from hair every 2-3 days.
      • 8. Re-treat in 7-10 days.
      • 9. Upon return to school students will be checked for 3 weeks to ensure all lice and nits are gone.
    • The following steps are recommended to treat the household:
      • 1. Machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens.
      • 2. Use the hot water cycle (130 degrees F) to wash clothes. 19
      • 3. Dry laundry using the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes. 4. Dry clean clothing that is not washable (coats, hats, scarves, backpacks, etc.).
      • 5. Store all clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc. that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned in a plastic bag and seal for 2 weeks.
      • 6. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol, Lysol, or wash with soap and hot water (130 degrees F).
      • 7. Carefully vacuum the floor, furniture, vehicles, and car seats.
      • 8. Do not use fumigant sprays, as they can be toxic if inhaled.
  • Bedbugs
    • Bed bugs have become a re emerging problem in the United States due to increased international travel and resistance to commonly used pesticides. They do not transmit disease, but individuals who live in infested homes suffer from lack of sleep, anxiety and secondary skin infections resulting from the itching bites.
    • Bed bugs are very difficult to control and it’s recommended that all infestations are handled by a licensed and trained professional who can develop an integrated pest management plan. Often multiple treatments are needed to effectively treat an infestation in the home environment.
    • Bed bugs are not a factor of the cleanliness of the environment; they affect everyone equally. Bed bugs are more likely to feed during the night-time hours and reside in places where people sleep. Therefore, infestations of school buildings are uncommon, although bed bugs may “hitch-hike” on a student’s clothing, books or backpack from an infested home.
    • A review of publications from various schools of entomology and other state health departments suggests that schools take the following actions when dealing with a potential bed bug infestation in the home of a student or on the school property.
    • It is not recommended to exclude students from school for an infestation in the home.
    • School closure related to bed bugs is not recommended during an infestation.
    • Inspection and Reporting:
      • • If the bug is found on a student or his/her belongings, it is important to discreetly remove the student from the classroom and examine the student’s clothing and other belongings.
      • Remember that it is possible the bug did not originate from the student’s home and may have crawled from another student’s items.
      • Store the student’s personal items in a garbage bag or plastic bin until the student leaves school.
      • Contact the parent/guardian of the student by telephone or through a notification letter to let them know a bug was found on the student’s belongings and recommend a home inspection by a licensed professional.
      • • If bed bugs have been trapped or visualized in a classroom on multiple occasions within a short period of time, the school should call a licensed professional exterminator to inspect the classroom
      • • Provide education to the parents/guardians of students who have suspected infestations of the home information on the treatment of the bites, control of the infestation and the need to use professional exterminator service in the home.
      • Provide instruction on actions parents can take to reduce the spread of bed bugs to the school environment. This includes:
        • 1. Laundering items worn outside the home first in hot water and drying again in high heat.
        • 2. Store freshly washed clothing and other items taken daily to school, such as lunch boxes and coats in a sealed clear plastic bin or garbage bag until the student needs to take them outside the home. These items should be inspected for the presence of bed bugs daily.
        • 3. Routine cleaning of all hard surfaces with normal cleaning solutions
      • Treatment & Prevention: Only a trained professional, or someone under the direct supervision of a licensed professional, should perform the inspection and apply pesticide treatments to affected areas in the school building.
        • A school administrator or nurse should oversee the implementation of the integrated pest management plan.
        • It is unlawful to have students present in the area of the school while the treatment is being applied (357 IAC 1-16-1). Consider having the treatment applied after school hours
  • Influenza/Covid/RSV
    • Flu/Covid/RSV are contagious respiratory illnesses that infect the respiratory tract. Symptoms can be mild to severe and in some cases may even cause death. Although anyone can become infected with these respiratory illnesses, people 65 years and older, young children, and people with other health conditions are at higher risk for hospitalization and complications.
    • Symptoms of respiratory illness can begin in as little as two days after exposure but can range from 1-4 days after being exposed. Symptom length can vary. Complications from respiratory illnesses may include pneumonia, exacerbation of existing health conditions, hospitalization, and even death.
      • Symptoms Include but are not limited to:
        • Fever
        • Chills
        • Headache
        • Cough
        • Sore Throat
        • Nausea
        • Muscle/body Aches
    • Since respiratory viruses change over time, it is encouraged but not required to get vaccinated every year.
    • Good respiratory hygiene is also important to prevent the spread of flu, including:
      • Covering nose and mouth when coughing and/or sneezing.
      • Washing your hands after coughing or sneezing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
      • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
      • Stay home from work, school, and social gatherings if you are sick.
  • Concussion
    • A concussion is a brain injury that can happen even without a loss of consciousness. It affects how the brain works and can have serious short- and long-term effects, especially in children and teens.
    • Common Signs and Symptoms
      • Symptoms may appear right away or hours/days later.
      • Watch for:
        • Headache or "pressure" in the head
        • Nausea or vomiting
        • Balance problems or dizziness
        • Confusion or memory issues
          Sensitivity to light or noise
        • Sleep disturbances
        • Mood or behavior changes (irritability, sadness, anxiety)
    • Our nursing staff is trained to recognize signs of concussion and take immediate action. If a concussion is suspected at school:
      • The student is removed from physical activity immediately.
      • Parents/guardians are contacted promptly.
      • A medical evaluation may be required before returning to school sports or physical activity.
    • What You Can Do at Home
      • **Seek medical attention if you suspect a concussion.
        **
  • **Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for rest and gradual return to activities.
    **
  • Monitor symptoms and keep the school informed.
      • Return-to-Play & Return-to-Learn Policies - Students must follow a step-by-step plan and receive written clearance from a healthcare professional before resuming sports or full academic participation.
    • Mental Health–Anxiety/Depression
      • Mental health is an essential part of your child’s overall well-being. As part of our district’s commitment to supporting the whole student, we want to share important information about mental health and anxiety—issues that affect many children and teens today.
      • Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how children think, feel, and behave, and how they handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
      • It’s normal for children to experience anxiety occasionally. However, when anxiety becomes persistent or overwhelming, it may interfere with daily activities such as school, friendships, or family life.
      • Common Signs of Anxiety:
        • Frequent worries or fears
        • Trouble concentrating or staying focused
        • Avoidance of school or social situations
        • Physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches)
        • Sleep disturbances or nightmares
        • Irritability or restlessness
        • Sudden drop in grades or interest in activities
      • Our schools support the mental health and wellbeing of our students through:
        • Trained counselors/advisors on staff
        • Wellness programs and classroom education
        • Safe spaces for students to talk and be heard
        • Support plans tailored to individual student needs
        • Working with local health partners as necessary
      • How Parents Can Help
        • Talk openly with your child about their feelings
        • Validate their concerns without judgment
        • Establish healthy routines (sleep, meals, screen time)
        • Model stress management strategies
        • Reach out to your child’s school counselor if you notice concerning changes
        • If your child’s anxiety interferes with daily functioning, or if you notice signs of depression, self-harm, or withdrawal, please seek professional help.
      • Together, we can help every student thrive—mentally, emotionally, and academically.
      • For more information, please contact your school counselor or district wellness coordinator.