Student Health

A healthy child is one that will engage in learning and have a successful school experience. Please review the following checklist and make sure that all required forms are in the office before your child attends the first day of school.

• A physical exam (including vision and hearing screenings) and a dental exam by a healthcare provider are helpful and recommended.
• North Dakota State Law, Chapter 33-06-05, requires children to be adequately immunized before entering school. A record of your child’s immunizations must be submitted to the school before they start Kindergarten/begin school. Note: Any child not adhering to the recommended schedule shall provide proof of immunization or a certificate of immunization within 30 days of enrollment or be excluded from school or early childhood facility. The school exclusion date is October 1 for those students who are not up to date.
• If your child has any special health concerns, including severe allergies, seizures, or diabetes, an individualized health care plan will need to be completed and signed by your child’s health care provider. This plan will inform all staff about how to best care for your child’s health needs. This needs to be in place prior to your child attending school.
• If your child needs to keep an Epinephrine auto-injectable device and/or Benadryl at school due to allergies, your child’s health care provider must complete a Food Allergy/Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan. This form must be signed by the health care provider and the parent/guardian. The signed form and the medication(s) must be at school before your child begins their first day.
• If your child has been diagnosed with asthma and may possibly need an inhaler or nebulizer treatment during the day, an Asthma Emergency Care Plan must also be completed and signed by you and your child’s health care provider.
• If your child needs any medication given at school, a Medication Authorization Form must be filled out and signed by the health care provider and the parent/guardian. This is for all medications, including inhalers and over-the-counter medications.
• If your child has a diagnosed food allergy and needs special meals, the Medical Statement to Request School Meal Modification form must be completed and signed by the child’s healthcare provider and returned to school.
• Seizure Action Plan

Medical Forms

• 24 Hour Rule

  • Fever
    • 100.4 degrees or greater, you need to stay home until you have not had a fever for 24 hours WITHOUT medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)!
  • Vomiting / Diarrhea
    • You need to stay home for at least 24 hours after your last bout of vomiting or diarrhea. You need to regain strength and not pass on germs!
  • Antibiotics
    • If you are sick and go to the doctor, you should stay home for 24 hours after your FIRST dose of antibiotics for anything like strep throat, bronchitis, or pink eye.

  Tips for Not Spreading Germs

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer.
  • When you use a tissue to sneeze or cough into, THROW IT AWAY!
  • Get a new toothbrush every time you are sick
  • Don’t drink out of anyone else’s glass or cup!

  Please consider the health of your co-workers, classmates, and teachers and follow these guidelines before returning to school or work.

  Recovery time is shorter when you get plenty of rest!

  Thank you for helping to keep your school and work environment healthy and happy!

Dear Families,

Allergies in our community can be quite common. We also recognize that some allergies are more severe than others. We have children in our district that have severe life threatening allergies to peanuts, nuts and products that have peanut or nut traces in them. Exposure to these products can cause anaphylaxis, a reaction which is sometimes referred to as allergic shock. When anaphylaxis occurs, the allergic reaction is a severe reaction that can lead to death. 

Even a small amount of nuts/peanut butter or peanut butter based products left on a door handle  have the potential to cause a severe life threatening reaction if touched by a child who is allergic to these products. The life threatening element of this allergy is of great concern in our schools. In order to assist and provide a safe environment for all children, Grand Forks Public Schools have established all elementary and middle school campuses to be Peanut & Tree Nut Restricted. 

We all want what is best for our children and we at and strive to ensure all children are safe at school. When purchasing food or snack items for your child to bring to school:

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

• Select an alternative to peanut butter in lunches coming to school
• Do not send snacks or treats with peanut butter or nuts in them
• If your child has peanut butter at home before coming to school, please make sure that his/her hands and face are washed with soapy water
• Read labels on food items carefully, even traces of peanuts can cause an allergic reaction

Head Lice Information

• What are head lice? Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live close to the human scalp. They feed on human blood. When checking for head lice, you may see several forms: the nit, the nymph, and the adult louse.

  • Nits are tiny teardrop-shaped lice eggs that are often yellowish or white. Nits are also what you call the shells that are left behind once the eggs hatch. Nits are attached to the hair shaft and often are found around the nape of the neck or the ears. Nits can look similar to dandruff, but cannot be easily removed or brushed off.
  • Nymphs, or baby lice, are small and grow to adult size in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Adult lice are the size of a sesame seed and appear tan to grayish-white.

  Fast Facts

  • An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year among U.S. children 3 to 11 years of age.
  • Head lice do not discriminate, often infesting people with good hygiene. They spread mainly through head-to-head contact.
  • Head lice are a common community problem. Though a head lice infestation is often spotted in school, it is usually acquired through direct head-to-head contact elsewhere, such as at sleepovers. Head lice are not dangerous, and they do not transmit disease.
  • If you or your child exhibits signs of an infestation, it is important to learn about treatment.

  Signs and Symptoms of Infestation include:

  • Tickling feeling on the scalp or in the hair.
  • Itching caused by the bites of the louse.
  • Irritability and difficulty sleeping because lice are more active in the dark.
  • Sores on the head caused by scratching which can sometimes become infected.
  • Finding a live nymph or adult louse on the scalp in the hair is an indication of an active infestation. They are most commonly found behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head.

  How are head lice spread?

  • Head lice move by crawling.
  • Head lice are mostly spread by direct head-to-head contact—during play, sleepovers, sports activities, or camps.
  • It is possible to spread head lice by contact with items that have been in contact with a person with head lice, such as clothing (hats, scarves, coats), bedding or other personal items (combs and brushes).

  What if my child gets head lice?
  There are a number of available treatments, including new prescription treatment options that are safe and do not require nit combing. Other things to consider include:

  • Follow treatment instructions exactly.
  • Head lice do not infest the house. However, bed linens and recently used clothing, hats, and towels should be washed in very hot water and dried on the high setting.
  • Personal articles, such as combs, brushes, and hair ornaments, should be soaked in very hot water for 5-10 minutes if they were exposed to someone with an active infestation.
  • All household members and other close contacts should be checked, and those with an active infestation should all be treated at the same time.
  • Contact your school nurse or your health care provider for any questions and additional information.