School Health

Backpack Act (2017-19) Provides awareness of the dangers of heavy backpacks.

From the National Safety Council –   

When you move your child's backpack after he or she drops it at the door, does it feel like it contains 40 pounds of rocks? Maybe you've noticed your child struggling to put it on, bending forward while carrying it, or complaining of tingling or numbness.

If you've been concerned about the effects that extra weight might have on your child's still-growing body, your instincts are correct.

Backpacks that are too heavy can cause a lot of problems for kids, like back and shoulder pain, and poor posture. The problem has grabbed the attention of lawmakers in some states, who have pushed for legislation requiring school districts to lighten the load.

Read more on the National Safety Council’s website: http://www.nsc.org/learn/safetyknowledge/Pages/backpack-safety-for-kids.aspx

Additional information regarding backpacks is located here http://www.bacsupport.com

Immunization Requirements for Attending School in the State of Alabama 

Alabama Schools must ensure that each student presents a valid Alabama Certificate of Immunization as required by the Code of Alabama, 16-30-4. A child’s entry and attendance in school is conditioned upon presenting a current and valid Alabama Certificate of Immunization unless a recognized exception applies. Exceptions include Medical and Religious Exemptions and exemptions for those deemed homeless under Federal law. Students may register/enroll, but may not attend school until the requirement is met. 

• Children entering Kindergarten require boosters of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), Polio, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and Varicella (chickenpox). 

• Children age 11 and entering the 6th grade need a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccination. 

Medical Exemption: Issued by the child’s Primary Care or Specialty Physician. 

Religious Exemption: Issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health. Contact Baldwin County Health Department to schedule an appointment. 251-947-1910 

How to obtain an Alabama Certificate of Immunization 

1. If your immunization status is current according to the State of Alabama requirements. Contact the Baldwin County Health Department’s Women’s and Children's Office (251-943-7260 ) to transfer your immunization dates onto a State of Alabama Certification of Immunization form. 
2. If your immunization status is not current: Contact the Baldwin County Health Department (251-947-1910) or your healthcare provider. 

8/14/2025 

PARENTS' TIP SHEET FOR TREATMENT OF HEAD LICE Three steps are required in the treatment of head lice:

1.  KILL THE LICE
*  If you do not understand the instructions, or if you have problems providing the necessary treatment, please contact the School Nurse.
*  Carefully read and follow product information exactly.  Do not use too much or too little of the product.
* Do not treat family members or contacts who do not have head lice, unless instructed to do so by a health professional.
* Call your doctor for advice on selecting a lice killing product if your child is allergic to ragweed or chrysanthemums.
* Do not treat pets.  Head lice cannot survive on pets.
* Apply some lice killing products to dry hair, others to damp hair. Please read the directions carefully!  Apply the product as the child leans over the sink.
* Avoid exposing the rest of the child's body to the lice killing products.  Do not apply while the child is in the shower or bathtub.
* Provide a towel to cover the eyes.  Do not use lice killing products near the eyes.

2.  REMOVE THE NITS
* Although it takes time, and is usually diffiicult, remove all nits for complete treatment.  Dead nits cling to the hair and cause uncertainty about new lice.
* Most products do not kill all the nits. Survi-  vors will hatch within 7-10 days, as a new cycle.
* Settle your child in a chair to read a book or to watch a video when removing the nits. Work near a window or other good light source.
* A fine-toothed comb is helpful, but many nits will have to be stripped from the hair shaft by hand.
* Grasp the nits between the thumb and finger, and slide them off the hair shaft.
* Nits and hairs that have been removed may be placed in a garbage can, or flushed down the toilet.
* Nits can be removed from individual hairs using blunt scissors or tweezers.  However, it is not necessary to cut a child's hair.
* Most lice killing products require a second treatment in 7-10 days to kill any newly-

3.  CLEAN THE ENVIRONMENT
* Machine wash all washable clothing (coats, scarves, hats, etc.) and bed linens which have been in contact with the infested person during the last three days.  Articles should be washed in HOT water and dried in a HOT dryer. Nonwashables should be dry cleaned.
* Articles that cannot be washed or dry cleaned can be sealed in plastic bags for 14 days, then removed and dusted for any dead nits/lice.  Lice and their eggs will die if kept away from people for 2 weeks.
* Combs and brushes should be soaked in a lice killing shampoo for one hour and then rinsed with hot water.
* Rugs, upholstered furniture, and mattresses (and any other personal items that cannot be washed) should be carefully vacuumed to pick up any living lice or nits attached to fallen hairs. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag once all areas have been vacuumed.
* Insecticide sprays should not be used because they may be harmful to family members and pets, and are of questionable benefits.
* Vacuum and damp wipe the interior of cars hatched lice before they mature and reproduce. and infant seats.
* Check your child' s hair daily for nits/lice for several weeks after  treatment.
* Don't be ashamed to talk about lice with other parents.  Be sure to tell the parents of any child who may have recently spent the night with your child.  Parental cooperation will help control this problem.

Purpose: To assist principals in enforcing the communicable disease regulations, the following guidelines are provided to insure uniformity in the management and control of pediculosis.
1. When a case of pediculosis capitis (head lice) is suspected in your school, the student should be checked to determine if the suspicion is valid. Students may be checked by the school nurse or other designated school personnel.  
2. If evidence of pediculosis (nits or lice) is found, brothers and sisters should also be checked. Parents of those students found with evidence are notified and asked to pick up their children and treat them. If siblings attend a different school, inform parent that the school nurse at the particular school will be notified to check their child. A letter stating that evidence of pediculosis was found should be given to the parent.
3. Parents may obtain non-prescription medication from their pharmacist or obtain a prescription from their family physician.
4. When evidence of head lice is found, all students in those classrooms shall be screened. If no additional cases are found, screening may be discontinued. However, if further cases are identified, their contacts must also be screened.  
5. A student who is returning to school after treatment must check in through the school office and be screened by the nurse or designated personnel. The student must have been treated with an appropriate lice treatment and be free of all nits and lice before being readmitted to school. A doctor’s or health department’s excuse does not preempt these admission requirements.  
6. Students who return to school without appropriated treatment will be sent home with a second letter of explanation. No more than 3 consecutive days absence should be considered excused when absence is due to pediculosis. After 3 consecutive days, absences should be considered unexcused.  
7. School nurses and each principal have a plan implemented to screen, prevent, and control pediculosis.  
8. All teachers should be aware of these guidelines. Questions concerning the above listed should be addressed to the school nurse. 
Revised 8/2022 

Medications at School Parent Guidance  
(Effective beginning 25-26 school year)  
The following must be followed for the school nurse or an unlicensed medication-trained assistant to administer medications during school hours, field trips, and school-sponsored activities outside of school hours.  
1. All Prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications must be delivered to the nurse’s office by the parent or guardian. Students should never have any medications on their person such as in purses, backpacks, or lunch boxes unless permission is granted by the healthcare provider and the school nurse.  
2. Over-the-counter (OTC) medication must be in the original, unopened container from the manufacturer and not expired. OTC medications will only be administered for 2 weeks unless a healthcare provider has completed a Prescriber/Parent Authorization (PPA). All OTC medications that contain salicylates or dosing that exceeds the manufacturer's guidelines must have the PPA signed by a healthcare provider.  
3. All prescription medication must have the pharmacy label attached, not expired, and a PPA completed by a healthcare provider.  
4. Sunscreen: Students may carry and apply sunscreen without a PPA. If a school employee is asked to apply sunscreen, a parent must complete the PPA before the employee applies. A healthcare provider’s signature is not required.  
5. Food supplements, natural substances, and herbs are not without potential harm, including life-threatening conditions. Herbal products and dietary supplements have not been subject to the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). School personnel will not give any substance that could be considered a drug or medication, including natural remedies, herbs, and nutritional supplements, without a PPA signed by a healthcare provider.  
6. Controlled Substances: They must be counted upon receipt and when returned to the parent. After the medication count is complete, a parent and medication-trained assistant or school nurse signature is required. The quantity of controlled medications to be received is limited to a 30-day supply.  
7. All medications must be given by the school nurse, or an unlicensed medication-trained assistant who has completed the medication training curriculum provided by the Alabama Board of Nursing and the Alabama State Department of Education.  
8. Any medications remaining at school past the last day will be discarded.  
9. Students with an inhaler and/or Epi-pen in the health room attending after-school care must provide a second dose to after-school care unless the healthcare provider indicates the medication can be self-carry. Medication kept in the nurse's office during the school day will not be sent to after-school care.  
3/21/2025 

Gulf Shores City Schools Medication Administration Guidelines
(Effective 2025-2026 School Year)
The purpose of administering medication during the school day and school-sponsored activities is to help each student maintain an optimal state of health to enhance the ability to learn and protect our students' health, safety, and welfare.
It is the policy of Gulf Shores City Schools to administer a student’s medication as prescribed by their Healthcare Provider (MD, DO, NP, PA, DDS, DMD). The following requirements provide school personnel, parents, guardians, students, and health professionals with the guidance necessary to provide safe and proper medication assistance in schools. The Alabama Board of Nursing in collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education developed these requirements.  
1. Students requiring medication to be given at school, whether daily or as needed, must have a School Medication Prescriber/Parent Authorization Form (PPA) completed for each medication. Medications will not be administered without a completed PPA. These forms can be obtained from the school nurse or online at www.gsboe.org (Menu, Departments, click on the Health Services page and scroll to the bottom of the page. All medications must be brought to the school by a parent/guardian.
2. Over-the-Counter Medications (OTC):  
● The PPA should be filled out completely matching the manufacturer’s label and have the parent’s signature. "A parent's signature allows medication administration for up to two weeks. If longer use is required, a healthcare provider's signature is needed.
● OTC medication must be age/weight appropriate and must be administered per manufacturer label    instructions unless otherwise noted by a PPA completed & signed by a healthcare provider.  
● All OTC medications must be brought in the original sealed container. Open bottles will not be accepted.  
● Siblings may share a bottle of OTC medication as long as it is age-appropriate for each child. A separate PPA must be completed for each sibling and doses of medications should be specific. An exception to sibling share is Benadryl and each sibling should have their own supply.  
3. Prescription Medications:
● The parent or guardian is responsible for obtaining a healthcare provider’s signature on the PPA. NO medications will be accepted or dispensed without proper signatures. The PPA must be completely filled out including the reason for taking and side effects. The time on the PPA and the time on the pharmacy label must match. Times must be specific. (once daily, morning, afternoon, or evening is not acceptable as time given).  
● Medication must be brought in the original bottle with a pharmacy label attached. Parent/Guardian will be asked to sign in medication and count the number of pills brought in with the school nurse or school staff.  
● Medications must be given as ordered, for instance, if a pill needs to be crushed or capsule needs to be opened the healthcare provider must document such on the PPA.  
● Verbal medical and treatment orders will be accepted from healthcare providers. However, a written order must be received within 48 hours. If written orders are not received within 48 hours, verbal orders are considered void. School nurses will not allow changes to be made to the Parent/Prescriber Authorization based solely on communication with a parent/guardian.  
● Any change in medication or to the medication order, including a change in the dosage, time given, etc. must be documented on a new PPA form, signed by the healthcare provider and  parent/guardian. Medication discontinuation orders must be included in writing by the healthcare provider on the discontinuation date. The parent or guardian must pick any remaining doses of the discontinued medication stored at the school. Any medication not picked up within 7 days of discontinuation will be disposed of according to state & federal guidelines.  
● If a sample medication is received from a healthcare provider to be given at school, please have them write a prescription with the student’s name, medication to be given, frequency of medication, etc., so the school nurse can use this as a “pharmacy label”.  
4. Self-Carry/Self-Administration Medications: . Emergency or Rescue medications are allowed to be self-administered and/or kept on students. Students with chronic health conditions are allowed to self-carry and/or self-administer their prescribed medication if both, the healthcare provider and parent/guardian, indicate on the PPA that the student is allowed to do so. Before medication is self-administered and self-carried, the school nurse must assess the student’s proficiency and competency. The Self-Administration and/or Self-Carry Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the student, parent/guardian, and school nurse. 
5. Expired Medications will not be accepted. You will be notified if the medication expires during the school year. If medication is not picked up within 2 weeks of the expiration date, it will be disposed of per state and federal regulations. Medication will not be administered after the expiration date.  
6. School personnel will not administer natural remedies, herbal supplements, and nutritional supplements not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) without a PPA completed by the student’s healthcare provider and signed by the parent.  
7. Gulf Shores City Schools does not stock nonprescription medications, as this practice would violate the Alabama Board of Pharmacy regulations. First aid supplies, such as Neosporin, lotion, calamine, Vaseline, eye wash, contact lens solution, wax for braces, peroxide, ice packs, and rubbing alcohol in the health rooms are not considered nonprescription medications and used as deemed necessary by the school nurse. All schools are under the medical direction of Dr. Jason Eversall who provides yearly orders for Gulf Shores City Schools to stock Epinephrine auto-injectors and Narcan.  
8. Sunscreen: Students may possess and use Federal Drug Administration (FDA) regulated sunscreen  at school and school-sponsored events without a PPA. A completed PPA is required if the parent/guardian requests a school employee to apply the sunscreen.  
9. Insect Repellent is considered a non-prescription medication; therefore, the parent/guardian must complete the PPA. If the school nurse makes a nursing judgment that the insect repellant is not age appropriate the parent will be advised to seek the advice of a physician. Self-administration of insect repellant is not allowed unless in the presence of a parent/guardian, school nurse, or school employee.  
10. If a medication error is made, the medication-trained assistant or school nurse will do the  following:  
● Locate and bring the student to the health room for assessment and observation.  
● Notify the Lead School Nurse and School Administrator.  Contact the healthcare provider and/or Poison Control and follow the instructions as provided.  
●  In the event a prescribed medication dose is omitted, contact the Lead Nurse with the student’s name, medication, strength, and frequency. The RN will use his/her professional judgment to determine the best plan of action. Parents should be notified of all omissions and other errors. An Unusual Occurrence Report must be completed and submitted within 24 hours to the Lead School Nurse.  
11. Prescription and nonprescription medications must be picked up by a parent/guardian by the last day of school. All remaining medications will be disposed of by school personnel (for controlled substances with a witness) and documented on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) and in PowerSchool.  
12. CBD oil or related products, even with a healthcare provider’s order, will not be administered to students under any circumstances.
13. Only persons listed on the student’s emergency contact list will be allowed to administer medication to the student during school hours.  
14. Students with an inhaler and/or Epi-pen in the health room who attend after-school care will need to provide additional medication for after-school care employees to administer or have the healthcare provider indicate the medication to be self-carry and self-administered. Medication stored in the health room will not be sent to after-school care.  
Gulf Shores City Schools follows the State Department of Education and the Alabama Board of Nursing’s guidelines for the administration of medication to students. Only school nurses and unlicensed trained medication assistants are legally allowed to administer medications to students in the State of Alabama.  
DISCLAIMER: Gulf Shores City School’s nurses do not take the place of a healthcare provider. None of the information provided is meant to replace a healthcare provider and is only meant for informational purposes. Gulf Shores City Schools and its employees are not responsible for anyone who does not follow the advice of their healthcare provider. References:  Alabama Board of Nursing  Alabama State Department of Education  3/21/2025 

Jessica Elkins Act (2014-274) Provides awareness and vaccine information regarding Meningococcal Meningitis for parents of students in grades 6-12.

More information regarding the Meningococcal vaccine is located here:  https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization/meningococcal.html

Public K-12 schools, Seizure Safe Schools Act, HB 76 (208658-4) 2021

Unlicensed Seizure Medication Assistants for Gulf Shores City Schools

Gulf Shores Elementary School:
Tiffanie Deese
Jaclyn Clanton
Alison Davis
Mary Oglesby
Lacey Musgrove
Hilary McKinney

Gulf Shores Middle School:
Kesley Canan
Lakeshia Patty

Gulf Shores High School:
Danny Norton
Lucinei Araujo 

Excluding a sick child from school may decrease the spread of the disease to others. The decision to send your child home in the event he/she becomes sick at school will be made on an individual basis based on the school nurse’s professional judgment.  This list serves as guidance in managing students and is not inclusive. Children with any of the symptoms listed below should be excluded from the school setting until symptoms improve; or a health care provider has determined that the child can return to the educational setting.  
Communicable Disease or Condition Exclusion and Readmission Criteria  
CONJUNCTIVITIS (Pinkeye) Redness and swelling of the outer layer of the eye and inside the eyelid. It can also cause sore and watery eyes with discharge Keep your child home until the discharge and signs of infection have cleared and/or completion of 24-hour treatment prescribed by a health care provider.  
COVID  A respiratory virus that may cause fever and chills. Cough shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, and sore throat May return to school when fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and have symptom improvement.  
FEVER Elevated temperature of 100.4 or greater Keep your child home until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school.  
VOMITING 2 or more episodes of vomiting in the past 24 hours.  Keep your child home until vomiting resolves (no further vomiting for 24 hours) unless the health care provider indicates the vomiting is not contagious.  
DIARRHEA Frequent, loose, water stools compared to child’s normal pattern: not caused by diet or medication Keep your child home until diarrhea resolves (no further diarrhea for 24 hours) unless the health provider indicates is not contagious. HAND, FOOT, AND MOUTH DISEASE Fever and tiny blisters on the cheeks and gums, inside the mouth and on the hands and feet. Keep your child home until fever free for 24 hours and all blisters have dried
HEAD LICE Tiny insects that bite and cause itching of the skin.    Your child may return to school after lice treatment and free of nits (eggs) and bugs. Child must be brought to school by parent/guardian and checked by the school nurse before being admitted to class.
IMPETIGO Blister like lesions which develop into pustules. May “weep” and crust
RASH WITH FEVER Any new rash accompanied by fever Keep your child home for 24 hours after medical treatment is initiated. Lesions must be covered for school attendance.  Contact your child’s health care provider for medical advice. May return to school after the rash goes away or clearance is given by the health care provider.  
RINGWORM A common skin infection, usually resulting in red, itching, scaly circular rash Your child may come to school after treatment has started and the area must be covered for school attendance.
SCABIES  Intense itching and sometimes a rash Keep your child home until 24 hours after prescribed treatment has been completed.
SKIN WOUNDS Any wound: abscesses, boils, draining lesions, Staph and MRSA. Keep your child home for 24 hours. Wounds must be covered and have no visible  drainage.
STREP THROAT  Fever, red sore throat, swollen glands.  Keep your child home. May return when treated with antibiotics for 24 hours, and fever free for 24 hours.  
OTHER  Symptoms that prevent your child from active participation in school activities. Keep your child home and follow your child’s health care providers recommendations  
Follow the directions from the child's health care provider and/or school nurse before returning to school.  

K-12 Student Accident Insurance