Students desiring to participate in athletic activities or enrolling in kindergarten or first grade in the school district will have a physical examination by a licensed physician and provide proof of such an examination to the school district.  A physical examination and proof of such an examination may be required by the administration for students in other grades enrolling for the first time in the school district.

A certificate of health stating the results of a physical examination and signed by the physician is on file at the attendance center.  Each student will submit an up-to-date certificate of health upon the request of the superintendent.  Failure to provide this information may be grounds for disciplinary action.

Students enrolling for the first time in the school district will also submit a certificate of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubeola, rubella, and other immunizations required by law.  The student may be admitted conditionally to the attendance center if the student has not yet completed the immunization process but is in the process of doing so.  Failure to meet the immunization requirement will be grounds for suspension, expulsion or denial of admission.  Upon recommendation of the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Department of Public Health, students entering the district for the first time may be required to pass a TB test prior to admission.  The district may conduct TB tests of current students.

Exemptions from the immunization requirement in this policy will be allowed only for medical or religious reasons recognized under the law.  The student must provide a valid Iowa State Department of Health Certificate of Immunization Exemption to be exempt from this policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 139A.8; 280.13(2009).
                                       281 I.A.C. 33.5.
                                       641 I.A.C. 7.

Cross Reference:  402.2   Child Abuse Reporting
                                       501       Student Attendance
                                       507       Student Health and Well-Being

Approved:  3/15/10                            
Reviewed:  4/22/15                  
Revised:6/24/20

 

The board is committed to the inclusion of all students in the education program and recognizes that some students may need prescription and nonprescription medication to participate in their educational program.

Medication shall be administered when the student's parent or guardian (hereafter "parent") provides a signed and dated written statement requesting medication administration and the medication is in the original, labeled container, either as dispensed or in the manufacturer's container.

When administration of the medication requires ongoing professional health judgment, an individual health plan shall be developed by licensed health personnel working under the auspice of the school with collaboration from the parent or guardian, individual’s health care provider or education team pursuant to 281.14.2(256).  Students who have demonstrated competence in administering their own medications may self-administer their medication. A written statement by the student's parent shall be on file requesting co-administration of medication, when competence has been demonstrated.   By law, students with asthma or other airway constricting diseases or students at risk of anaphylaxis who use epinephrine auto-injectors may self-administer their medication upon approval of their parents and prescribing physician regardless of competency.  

Persons administering medication shall include the licensed registered nurse and physician,and persons to whom authorized practitioners have delegated the administration of medication (who have successfully completed a medication administration course). The medication administration course is completed every five years with an annual procedural skills check completed with a registered nurse or a pharmacist.  A record of course completion shall be maintained by the school.

A written medication administration record shall be on file including:

 •     date;

•     student’s name;

•     prescriber or person authorizing administration;

•     medication;

•     medication dosage;

•     administration time;

•     administration method;

•     signature and title of the person administering medication; and

•     any unusual circumstances, actions, or omissions.

Medication shall be stored in a secured area unless an alternate provision is documented.  Emergency protocols for medication-related reactions shall be posted.  Medication information shall be confidential information.

Disposal of unused, discontinued/recalled, or expired medication shall be in compliance with federal and state law. Prior to disposal school personnel shall make a reasonable attempt to return medication by providing written notification that expired, discontinued, or unused medications need to be picked up. If medication is not picked up by the date specified, disposal shall be in accordance with the disposal procedures for the specific category of medication.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§124.101(1), 147.107, 152.1, 155A.4(2), 280.16, 280.23 (2009)
                                      Education [281] IAC § 14.1, .2
                                      Pharmacy [657] IAC §8.32((124, 155A)
                                      Nursing Board [655] IAC §6.2(152)

Cross Reference:  506       Student Records
                                       507       Student Health and Well-Being
                                       603.3  Special Education
                                       607.2  Student Health Services

Approved:  3/15/10       
Reviewed:  4/22/15       
Revised:6/24/20; 9/27/23

 

Students with a communicable disease will be allowed to attend school provided their presence does not create a substantial risk of illness or transmission to other students or employees.  The term "communicable disease" will mean an infectious or contagious disease spread from person to person, or animal to person, or as defined by law.

Prevention and control of communicable diseases is included in the school district's bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan.  The procedures will include scope and application, definitions, exposure control, methods of compliance, universal precautions, vaccination, post-exposure evaluation, follow-up, communication of hazards to employees and record keeping.  This plan is reviewed annually by the superintendent and school nurse.

The health risk to immunosuppressed students is determined by their personal physician.  The health risk to others in the school district environment from the presence of a student with a communicable disease is determined on a case-by-case basis by the student's personal physician, a physician chosen by the school district or public health officials.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the school nurse, to develop administrative regulations stating the procedures for dealing with students with a communicable disease.

For more information on communicable disease charts, and reporting forms, go to the Iowa Department of Public Health Website: http://idph.iowa.gov/CADE/reportable-diseases http://www.idph.state.ia.us

 

 

Legal Reference:  School Board of Nassau County v. Arline, 480 U.S. 273 (1987).
                                       29 U.S.C. §§ 701 et seq. (2004).     45 C.F.R. Pt. 84.3 (2004).
                                       Iowa Code ch. 139A.8 (2007).       641 I.A.C. 1.2-.5, 7.

Cross Reference:  403.3   Communicable Diseases - Employees
                                       506       Student Records
                                       507       Student Health and Well-Being

Approved:  3/15/10                            
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20

 

When a student becomes ill or is injured at school, the school district will attempt to notify the student's parents as soon as possible.

The school district, while not responsible for medical treatment of an ill or injured student, will have employees present administer emergency or minor first aid if possible.  An ill or injured child will be turned over to the care of the parents or qualified medical employees as quickly as possible.

It is the responsibility of the principal to file an accident report with the superintendent within twenty-four hours after the student is injured.

Annually, parents are required to complete a medical emergency authorization form indicating the procedures to be followed, if possible, in an emergency involving their child.  The authorization form will also include the phone numbers of the parents and alternative numbers to call in case of an injury or illness.

The superintendent is responsible, in conjunction with the school nurse, to develop rules and regulations governing the procedure in the event a student should become ill or be injured at school.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code § 613.17 (2009).

Cross Reference:  507       Student Health and Well-Being

Approved:  3/15/10                            
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20

 

Students will be informed of the appropriate action to take in an emergency.  Emergency drills for fire, weather, and other disasters are conducted each school year.  Fire and tornado drills are each conducted regularly during the academic school year with a minimum of two before December 31 and two after January 1.

Each attendance center will develop and maintain a written plan containing emergency and disaster procedures.  The plan will be communicated to and reviewed with employees.  Employees will participate in emergency drills.  Licensed employees are responsible for instructing the proper techniques to be followed in the drill.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code § 100.31 (2009).
                                       281 I.A.C. 41.25(3).

Cross Reference:  507       Student Health and Well-Being
                                       711.7   School Bus Safety Instruction
                                       804       Safety Program

Approved:  3/15/10                            
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20

 

Disagreements between family members are not the responsibility of the school district.  The school district will not take the "side" of one family member over another in a disagreement about custody or parental rights.  Court orders that have been issued are followed by the school district.  It is the responsibility of the person requesting an action by the school district to inform and provide the school district the court order allowing such action.

This policy does not prohibit an employee from listening to a student's problems and concerns.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure employees remain neutral in a disagreement about custody and parental rights.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 232.67, .70, .73, .75; 235A; 279.8; 710.6 (2009).
                                       441 I.A.C. 9.2; 155; 175.

Cross Reference:  506       Student Records
                                       507       Student Health and Well-Being

Approved:  3/15/10
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20

 

The board recognizes that some special education students need special health services during the school day.  These students will receive special health services in conjunction with their individualized education program.

The superintendent, in conjunction with licensed health personnel, will establish administrative regulations for the implementation of this policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Board of Education v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982).
                                      Springdale School District #50 v. Grace, 693 F.2d 41 (8th Cir. 1982).
                                      Southeast Warren Comm. School District v. Dept. of Public Instruction, 285 N.W.2d 173 (Iowa 1979).
                                      20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq. (2006).
                                      34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq. (2006).
                                      Iowa Code §§ 256.11(7); 256B; 273.2, .5, .9(2)-(3); 280.8 (2009).
                                      281 I.A.C. 41.404(1)(f); (3)(f); 41.405

Cross Reference:  502       Student Rights and Responsibilities
                                       506       Student Records
                                       603.3   Special Education

Approved:  3/15/10                            
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20

 

The board promotes healthy students by supporting wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment.  The school district supports a healthy environment where students learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices.  By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools contribute to the basic health status of students.  Improved health optimizes student performance potential.

The school district provides a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors.  The entire school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned with healthy school district goals to positively influence a student's understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity.

The school district supports and promotes proper dietary habits contributing to students' health status and academic performance.  All foods available on school grounds and at school-sponsored activities during the instructional day should meet or exceed the school district nutrition standards.  Foods should be served with consideration toward nutritional integrity, variety, appeal, taste, safety and packaging to ensure high-quality meals.

The school district will make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.  Toward this end, the school district may utilize electronic identification and payment systems; provide meals at no charge to all children, regardless of income; promote the availability of meals to all students; and/or use nontraditional methods for serving meals, such as "grab-and-go" or classroom breakfast.

The school district will develop a local wellness policy committee comprised of representatives of the board, parents, leaders in food/exercise authority and employees.  The local wellness policy committee will develop a plan to implement and measure the local wellness policy and monitor the effectiveness of the policy.  The committee will designate an individual to monitor implementation and evaluation the implementation of the policy.  The committee will report annually to the board regarding the effectiveness of this policy.

The district has the following goals that will encourage wellness in students and staff:

1. Encouraging physical activity, as outlined in the Student Wellness Plan.
2. Providing nutrition education and promotion, as outlined in the Student Wellness Plan.
3. Establishing other school-based activities that are designed to promote student and staff wellness, as outlined in the Student Wellness Plan.

 

Plan for Measuring Implementation of the Wellness Plan and Nutrition Guidelines

A.  Wellness Policy Committee 

1. The district will establish a local wellness policy committee that may be comprised of any of the following: representatives of the board; representatives of the district, including administrators; representatives of the public; parents; students; representatives of the school food authority; and nutrition/wellness experts, including teachers of physical education and/or school health professionals.

 

1. The wellness policy committee will implement, monitor, evaluate/measure and update the wellness policy. This committee will report annually to the board and to the general public regarding these efforts.

 

2. The district will designate one or more officials from the wellness policy committee to ensure that each school within the district and the district as a whole complies with the local wellness policy.

 

B.   Implementation

1. The district, through the committee and/or the designated official, will inform and update the public, including parents, students and the general community, about the content and implementation of the district’s wellness policy.

 

C.   Monitoring 

1. The superintendent, the principal at each school, and the committee and/or designee will ensure compliance with established district-wide nutritional and physical activity wellness policies.
    
2. Additionally, the following actions will occur:

a.      food service staff, at the school or district level, will ensure compliance with nutritional policies within food service areas and will report on this matter to the superintendent or principal;

b.      the school district will report on the most recent USDA School Meals Initiative (SMI) review findings and any resulting changes;

c.      the Food Service Director and/or the superintendent will develop a summary report on school district-wide compliance with the school district’s wellness policy, based on input from schools within the school district; and

d.      the report will be provided to the school board and also distributed to the district.

 

D.      Policy Review

1. To help with the initial development of the district’s wellness policy, each school in the school district has conducted a baseline assessment of the school’s existing nutritional and physical activity environments and practices. The results of those school-by-school assessments will be compiled at the school district level to identify and prioritize needs.
    
2. Periodic assessments will be conducted to review implementation and compliance, to assess progress, and to determine areas in need of improvement. As part of that review, the committee and/or the designated official will do the following:

a.          generally consider whether there exists an environment that supports healthy eating and physical activity;

b.         review the nutritional and physical activity policies and practices to determine the extent to which the district and schools within the district are in compliance with the local wellness policy;

c.          consider the extent to which the district’s local wellness policy compares to the model local wellness policy;

d.         assess the progress the district has made in attaining the goals of its local wellness policy;

e.          provide to the board any recommended updates to the district’s wellness policy.

The committee and/or the designated official will make the assessment available to the general public. The board will revise the wellness policies and develop plans to facilitate their implementation.

 

Physical Activity

A.         The district will provide at least thirty (30) minutes of physical activity per day for students in kindergarten through to fifth grade. The district will provide at least one-hundred twenty (120) minutes of physical activity per week for students in sixth through twelfth grade.

B.         Physical Education

1.         The district will provide physical education that:

●  is for all students in kindergarten through twelfth grade;

●  is taught by a certified physical education teacher;

●  includes students with disabilities; students with special health-care needs may be provided with alternative educational settings; and

●  engages students in moderate to vigorous activity during physical education class time.

C.         Daily Recess

1.   Elementary schools will provide recess for students that:

●  is at least twenty (20) minutes a day;

●  is preferably outdoors;

●  encourages moderate to vigorous physical activity; and

●  discourages extended periods (i.e., periods of two (2) or more hours) of inactivity.

2. When activities, such as mandatory school-wide testing, make it necessary for students to remain indoors for long periods of time, schools should give students periodic breaks during which they are encouraged to stand and be moderately active.

D.         Physical Activity and Discipline

1.         Employees should not use physical activity (e.g., running laps, pushups) as disciplinary action. Withholding opportunities for physical activity (e.g., recess, physical education) is discouraged.

 

School Meals

A.         Meals served by the district to students will:

1. be appealing and attractive to students;
2. be served in  clean and pleasant settings;
3. meet, at a minimum, nutrition requirements established by state and federal law;
4. offer a variety of fruits and vegetables;
5. include low-fat and fat-free milk and nutritionally equivalent non-dairy alternatives (as defined by the USDA);
6. encourage serving of whole grain products; and
7. accommodate alternatives for those students with allergies that meet the above guidelines as closely as possible. 

B.         Breakfast

1.          To ensure that all students have breakfast, either at home or at school, in order to meet their nutritional needs and enhance their ability to learn, schools will notify parents and students of the availability of the district’s breakfast program and encourage parents to provide a healthy breakfast for their children.

C.         Beverages

1.          The district will seek to provide water without added caloric sweeteners; fruit and vegetable juices and fruit-based drinks that contain at least 50 percent fruit juice and that do not contain additional caloric sweeteners; unflavored or flavored low-fat or fat-free milk; and nutritionally equivalent non dairy beverages (as defined by the USDA).

D.         Free and Reduced-Price Meals

1.          The district will make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced-priced meals. Toward this end, the district will utilize electronic identification and payment systems and promote the availability of meals to all students.

E.                      Sharing of Food

1.          The district prohibits students from sharing foods or beverages with one another during meal or snack times, given concerns about allergies, spreading of germs and communicable diseases, and other restrictions on student diets.

F.                      Meal Times and Scheduling

1. The district will do the following:
   
   1. provide students with adequate and appropriate time for meals;
   2. schedule meal periods at appropriate times, e.g., lunch should be scheduled between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.;
2. ​​​​​​​provide students access to hand washing or and sanitizing before they eat meals or snacks; and
3. take reasonable steps to accommodate the tooth-brushing regimens of students with special oral health needs (e.g., orthodontia or high tooth decay risk). 

G.         Qualification of Food Service and Staff

1.         Qualified nutrition professionals will administer the meal programs. As part of the district’s responsibility to operate a food service program, the district will provide continuing professional development for all nutrition professionals and provide staff development programs and training programs for the Food Service Director, kitchen managers, and cafeteria workers, according to their level of responsibility.

 

Other Food Available at School

A.         Food Sold Outside the Meal

1. All foods and beverages sold individually outside the reimbursable meal programs including those sold through a la carte lines, vending machines and sales foods during the school day will meet federal and state nutritional standards.
2. Middle School and High School.  The food service program and the school make available to middle and high schools foods and beverages meeting federal and state nutritional standards regarding calorie, sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, total fat, sugar and dietary fiber content of food and the ingredients in beverages.

 

B.         Snacks

1. Snacks served during the school day will make a positive contribution to students’ diets   and health. The district will disseminate a list of suggested snack items to teachers and parents.  The district encourages parents and teachers to provide food that is commercially packaged or comes from a commercial bakery.
2. Each school will be encouraged to evaluate their celebration practices that involve food   during the school day. The district will disseminate a list of healthy party ideas to    parents and teachers.

 

C.         Foods and Beverages at School-Sponsored Events

1. Foods and beverages made available and/or sold at school-sponsored events that occur outside of the school day are encouraged to meet the nutrition standards for meals and for foods and beverages outlined in this policy.

 

Food Safety

A.         All foods made available on campus will adhere to food safety and security guidelines.

B.         All foods made available through food service will comply with the state and local food safety and sanitation regulations. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans and guidelines are implemented to prevent food illness in schools.

C.         For the safety and security of the food and facility, access to the food service operations are limited to food service staff and authorized personnel.

 

Nutrition Promotion and Education 

A.         The district will promote general nutrition and the specific nutritional goals and requirements outlined in this policy by doing any and/or all of the following:

1. Promote nutrition and/or provide nutrition education at each grade level by including and incorporating general nutritional standards and the provisions of this nutritional policy into the teaching curriculum;
2. Promote educational learning activities, specifically participatory activities, which focus on nutrition (i.e., preparing nutritious food, attending field trips, planting a garden, etc.);
3. Develop nutrition extra-curricular and/or curricular programs that relate to the school lunch program and emphasize health choices within the school lunch program;
4. Emphasize caloric balance between food intake and physical activity;
5. Provide nutrition training for administrators, teachers and other staff members.

 

Other Aspects of Wellness Plan – Nutrition Guidelines

 

A.         Fundraising Activities

1. Regulated fundraising groups’ activities, which offer the sale of food and/or beverages on school property to students by students and/or student groups/organizations, must use foods and/or beverages that are compliant with the school’s wellness policies. These groups’ activities will be encouraged to promote physical activity.
2. To support student health and school nutrition-education efforts, non-regulated school fundraising groups’ activities will be encouraged to use foods and/or beverages that are compliant with the school’s wellness policies and promote physical activity. The District will make available a list of ideas for fundraising activities.

B.         Rewards

1. The District will discourage the use of foods or beverages, especially those that do not meet the nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold individually, as rewards for academic performance or good behavior, and will not withhold food or beverages (including food served through meals) as a discipline.

 

Activities that Promote Student Wellness

A.         For students to receive the nationally recommended amount of daily physical activity and for students to fully embrace regular physical activity as a personal behavior, students need opportunities for physical activity beyond the physical education class. Toward that end, the District will:

1. Integrate physical activity into classroom settings, by doing the following:
   
   1. ​​​​​​​Offering classroom health education that compliments physical education by reinforcing the knowledge and self-management skills needed to maintain a physically active lifestyle and to reduce time spent on sedentary activities;
   2. Discouraging sedentary activities, such as watching television, playing computer games, etc.;
   3. Providing opportunities for physical activity to be incorporated into other subject lessons; and
   4. Encouraging classroom teachers to provide short physical activity breaks between lessons or classes, as appropriate.
2. Market food in school in a manner consistent with nutritional education and health promotion, by doing the following:
   
   1. ​​​​​​​Limiting food and beverage marketing to the promotion of foods and beverages that meet the nutritional standards for meals or for foods and beverages sold individually;
   2. Prohibiting school-based marketing of brands promoting predominantly low- nutrition foods and beverages;
   3. Promoting healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products; and
   4. Marketing activities that promote healthful behaviors.
3. Communicate with parents regarding providing students with a healthy diet and daily physical activity, by doing the following:
   
   1. ​​​​​​​Sending home nutrition information and post nutrition tips on a school web site;
   2. encouraging parents to pack healthy lunches and snacks and to refrain from including beverages and foods that do not meet the established nutritional standards for individual foods and beverages:
   3. Providing parents a list of foods that meet the school district’s snack standards, ideas for healthy celebrations/parties, rewards, and fundraising activities;
   4. Asking parents or guardians to notify the school if their student has any food allergies or special dietary requirements;
   5. Providing information about physical education and other physical activity opportunities before, during, and after the school day;
   6. Supporting parents’ efforts to provide their children with opportunities to be physically active outside of school; and
   7. Sharing information about physical activity and physical education through a web site and/or newsletter.​​​​​​​

B.         The district will also provide instruction concerning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to all students, so that each student has completed instruction in CPR prior to their high school graduation. The district may offer this instruction as it deems appropriate, including offering it through its physical education program.

 

Activities that Promote Staff Wellness

A.         The district values the health and well being of every staff member. Staff members are encourage to plan and implement activities that support efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 The nutrition guidelines for all foods available with the objective of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity at each school building.

 

 

 Legal Reference:  42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq.
                                       42 U.S.C. §§ 1771 et seq.
                                       Iowa Code §§ 256.7(29); 256.11(6).
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.5; 58.11.

Cross Reference:  504.5    Student Fund Raising
                                       504.6    Student Activity Program
                                       710       School Food Services

Approved:  3/15/10
Reviewed:  4/22/15
Revised:6/24/20; 5/22/19