The model of health services in Willmar Public Schools uses a combination of Licensed School Nurses (LSN), Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), and paraprofessionals and office staff. The nursing staff supports a healthy learning environment for all students and staff.

School nurses provide a variety of services, including health screenings for vision and hearing, administration of daily medications to students and providing basic first aid and episodic care. The Licensed School Nurse develops individualized health plans for those students who have specific medical needs and who may require medical attention during the school day.

To contact Health Services staff for your child, please click on the school they attend listed to the left. 

Commonly Used Forms

Click on the link to download these commonly used forms: 

• Medication Consent Form
• Special Diet Statement Form
• Lactose Intolerance Form
• MDH Immunization Form

Immunizations

Minnesota Statutes chapter121A requires that all children who are enrolled in a Minnesota school be immunized or have a legal exemption on file before starting school. These requirements can be waived only for medical reasons or if you are conscientiously opposed to a particular immunization. For more information, contact Minnesota Department of Health website at health.state.mn.us/immunize.

Willmar Public Schools adhere to a “No Shot, No School” Policy (or legal proof of exemption). All students must have the required immunizations or be actively in the process to receive the series or have proper documentation of exemption on file in order to pick up schedules and begin the school year. Contact your primary health care provider, your local public health agency, or the school nurse to determine if your child is compliant with Minnesota state law.

Illness and Communicable Diseases

General Guidelines are listed below but exceptions can occur when there are attendance concerns or special health conditions. A child should not come to school (and will be sent home from school) if they have:

• A fever of 100 degrees F or more in the past 24 hours 
• Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours 
• A skin rash that may be disease related/contagious
• Untreated live head lice
• Open/draining skin sores that cannot be covered
• Inflamed and draining eyes or ears until seen by health care provider
• Severe, persistent, uncontrollable cough

 
When your child is ill, please call the school daily to report the illness; please indicate the type of illness when calling.  If the school calls because your child is ill, please make arrangements for your child to be picked up within an hour. Please make sure contact phone numbers are updated regularly and you have alternative plans in place if you are unable to pick up your child during the school day.

Influenza - Chicken Pox - Pertussis

The school health office, by request of the Minnesota Department of Health, is asking for parental assistance. Parents are asked to report to the school nurse any student with chickenpox, shingles, influenza or pertussis (whooping cough) which has been diagnosed by a medical professional. 
 

Physical Education/ Recess Excuses

Generally a physician’s excuse is needed to be excused from gym class/recess.  Some teachers allow a written parent note for 1 day only. The student may be asked to make missed gym class time up.

Administration of Medication in Schools

If it's necessary for prescription or over-the-counter medications to be given during the school day, please provide the following:

• A completed Medication Consent Form. This form MUST be completed and signed by the licensed health care provider and signed by the parent/guardian.
• A new form is required annually and for all changes in medications.
• All medication must be supplied by the family in the fully-labeled original container.
• Review the District Student Medication Policy.
  
  
  

School Health Records/Health Conditions

Minnesota State Law requires schools to maintain a permanent health record for every child registered in the district including immunizations and health conditions. Health information pertinent to the student’s safety and ability to learn in school is requested upon entrance to the Willmar Public School system. Parents are encouraged to notify the school of health concerns, updated vaccines, or diagnosis of infectious disease. Information is considered confidential and shared with school personnel only as needed.  

***School nursing services are only available during regular school days/school hours. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to inform their bus company or after school programs, including sports, of any health concerns for their child.

Health Screenings

The Minnesota Department of Health recommends health screenings for students. In Willmar Public Schools the health office staff make reasonable efforts to screen:

• Vision: Grades K,1,3,5,7, 9.
• Color vision: Grade 1 boys.
• Hearing: Grades K,1,2,3,5,7, 9.
  
  

If at any time you question your child's hearing or vision, feel free to contact the health office.

If your child fails any part of the hearing and vision screening, the health office will rescreen them to verify the results. If they fail the second screening, a referral letter will be sent to the parent/guardian with findings and recommendations.  

It is important to bring the referral letter to your child’s appointment and ask the examiner to complete it and return it to school.