Health Services

School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential. Adopted by the NASN Board of Directors February 2017.

Goals: To maximize student attendance while reducing the transmission of communicable illnesses.

Nursing Staff

LAURA ARENAS

PIPER HIGH

Diane Baumgartner

KRIS KNEFEL

PIPER CREEK

AMY KNETTER

PIPER MIDDLE

TAUNISHA MCDONALD

PIPER PRAIRIE

RACHEL MILNARK

DISTRICT OFFICE, Districtwide

Chronic Health Conditions

Please inform the school nurse of any chronic health condition(s) and all emergency medications prescribed for your child. Each school has a Registered Nurse to provide case management and care coordination for students with chronic health conditions requiring treatment, monitoring, or accommodations during the school day.

Provider orders are required for any chronic condition if the student will need daily medication, emergency medication, monitoring, or nursing care at school. All required health forms must be completed and dated after May 1 for the upcoming school year.

Please visit the Meal Modification tab for information and required documentation related to chronic conditions that necessitate dietary accommodations during the school day.

Diabetes:
Students with diabetes who require blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, or other diabetes-related care during the school day must have current provider orders on file. A Diabetes Medical Management Plan is required if ongoing care or emergency treatment may be necessary.

Asthma:

Students who require inhalers or other asthma medications at school must have a current healthcare provider order on file. An Asthma Action Plan must also be provided and kept on file with the school nurse. Students may self-carry a rescue inhaler in accordance with district policy and with proper documentation.

Allergies (Food or Environmental):
Students with severe allergies requiring emergency medications, including epinephrine (auto-injector or nasal spray), must have a current healthcare provider order on file. An Allergy Action Plan must also be provided and kept on file with the school nurse. An individualized health plan will be developed as needed to support the student safely during the school day.

Students who have provider-issued epinephrine (auto-injector or nasal spray) will have it stored and readily available for use in the event of suspected anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction). Administration of epinephrine requires an immediate call to 911 and notification of lawful custodians. Parents/guardians of students with a known history of serious allergic reactions are encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider regarding the need for student-specific emergency medication.

Seizure Disorders:
Students who require daily seizure medication, emergency seizure medication, or monitoring at school must have current healthcare provider orders on file. A Seizure Action Plan is required if emergency intervention may be needed.

Medication Administration Form

Self-Administration Medication Form

Student Self-Administration of Medication Policy

Supervision of Medication Board Policy

Accommodating Students with Diabetes Policy

COVID Guidelines

Returning to school after testing positive for COVID:

In alignment with CDC and KDHE, the Piper School District has adopted the following guidelines.

A person can begin returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, BOTH are true:

Symptoms are improving overall, AND
No fever is present, without using fever-reducing medications

As always, if your student is too ill to attend class or needs medications due to illness prior to coming to school please keep them home.

Health Assessment

Kansas law requires that all students under the age of nine must have a completed health assessment on file before enrolling in any Kansas school. The assessment can be performed by a physician, a nurse certified by the Kansas State Department of Education, or someone working under a physician's direction. The assessment must be completed within 12 months of the student's enrollment and no more than 60 days after. Students who do not comply with this policy may be excluded from school until the assessment is completed.

KDHE Health Assessment Form

Note: Sports Physicals can be found on the Piper Athletics page

Health Services Policy and References

HIPPA Release of Information Form

Illness and Communicable Disease

When groups of people are in close contact with one another for extended periods of time, the risk is high for the spread of illness and disease. That is why schools observe disease prevention and control.

Students will be excluded from school when displaying one or more of these symptoms:

Temperature of 100 or greater
Undiagnosed rash
Vomiting
Persistent diarrhea
Nurse judgment based on physical assessment

Students will be readmitted after being fever-free (without the use of fever-reducing medication) or symptom-free for 24 hours. Students with some conditions may return to school after being treated for 24 hours with an antibiotic. Call the school nurse for specific readmission guidelines.

Kansas Handbook of Communicable Disease

Communicable Disease Board Policy

Immunizations

FALL IMMUNIZATION EXCLUSION DAY

For the 2026-2027 School Year is: September 30th

Official/valid immunization documentation must be provided to Piper School District. Present immunization information at enrollment.

Any student attending Piper Schools must be in compliance with the State's current immunization laws and regulations. Any student who does not meet the State's requirements will NOT be allowed to attend school on or after September 30th until one of the following documents is provided to the school nurse:

1. Up to date immunization records or a scheduled plan to give shots needed signed by the physician

For more information about these and other required and recommended immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage

2. Signed Medical or Religious Exemption according to the provisions of the law

USD 203 Religious Exemption forms are required by the exclusion due date.
- Religious Exemption Form
Medical Exemptions must come from your healthcare provider annually.

If you have questions regarding immunization requirements for school attendance, please contact your school nurse.

Inoculations Board Policy

KSHSAA Concussion Guidelines and Form

Concussions and other injuries that might affect or interrupt education should be reported to the school nurse. Any plans that a healthcare provider gives regarding concussions or injuries should be turned in to the school nurse. Plans may not be implemented without proper documentation.

Concussions or injuries that occur during school events must be reported to the school nurse.

Click here to learn more about the KSHAA Concussion Guidelines and Forms.

Meal Modifications

Meal Modification Forms are required when a student has a known health condition that necessitates dietary accommodations or when a new medical condition is diagnosed that requires changes to school meals. This form ensures that students with medical conditions or food allergies receive safe and appropriate meals while at school.

The Meal Modification Form must be completed and signed by a licensed healthcare provider and provides written documentation outlining the student’s specific dietary needs. Having this information on file allows the school nutrition team to implement necessary accommodations while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations.

Once submitted, the Meal Modification Form will remain in effect and follow the student throughout their enrollment in the district unless and until a parent or legal guardian submits a written request for its removal.

Meal Modification Form

Food Services Webpage

Over the Counter Medications

Students are prohibited from carrying over the counter medications in school. Parents/Guardians are expected to approve or deny the option of administering over-the-counter medications for their student during online enrollment. The following over the counter medications are available with parent permission for administration:

Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen
Diphenhydramine (for urgent needs only)
Antacids
Hydrocortisone cream
Antibiotic ointment
Cough drops
Vaseline/Aquaphor
Zyrtec (only given with parent/guardian approval via phone call)
Calamine Lotion
Burn/Sting Relief

Prescription Medication Administration

All prescription medications must be delivered directly to the school nurse by a parent or legal guardian. Students may not transport prescription medication to or from school.

Medication must be in the original pharmacy-labeled container with the student’s name, medication name, dosage, route, and prescribing healthcare provider clearly indicated. Medications that are not in the original labeled container will not be accepted or administered at school.

A current healthcare provider order and a signed parent/guardian authorization form are required before any prescription medication can be administered. Medication will not be given without both the provider’s order and the parent/guardian’s signature on file.

If these requirements are not met, the medication cannot and will not be administered during the school day.

Please refer to the Chronic Conditions tab for any student that has Diabetes, Asthma, Allergies (food or environmental), and Seizures.

Medication Administration Form

Self-Administration Medication Form

Student Self-Administration of Medication Policy

Supervision of Medication Board Policy

Administration of Emergency Opioid Antagonist Policy

Stock Supply of Emergency Medication Policy

School Screenings

Health screenings in the school setting are used to identify students that are at risk and do not replace a comprehensive examination by a healthcare professional. Hearing, vision, and dental screenings will be conducted during the school year at Piper. Parents/Guardians are required to opt in or opt out for each individual screening during online enrollment.

Hearing screenings are used to identify hearing loss and to make appropriate audiological, medical, and/or educational recommended follow-ups to maximize hearing and learning potential. Students to be screened annually in the early fall semester are:

Grades: Pre K, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 10th, and Onward
New students (all grades)
By referral from parent/teacher/staff/student

Note: Screening requirements follow Kansas Department of Health and Environment Guidelines

Vision screenings are utilized for early identification of students with potential vision problems. Students to be screened in the early fall semester are:

Grades: Pre K, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, and Onward
New students (all grades)
IEP Students: 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th
By referral from parent/teacher/staff/student

Note: Screening requirements follow Kansas Department of Health and Environment Guidelines

Free dental inspections will be provided to all enrolled students annually in the spring semester, planned for by designated school staff, and conducted by appropriate dental care providers. Students presenting a certificate from a legally qualified dentist providing that a dental examination was completed in the three months prior to the school dental inspection need not be provided with an inspection.

A certificate of the result of a school dental inspection, together with suggestions of requirements for the curing of any defects found, shall be made by the dental care provider making such inspection. One copy of this certificate is to be furnished to the child examined, and another will be filed with the clerk of the board. No dental work other than the inspection and provision of the certificate shall be performed by the examining dental care provider without the consent of the parents or guardian of the child.

Health Screenings Policy

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