KISD Medication Administration Protocol

If a student must take medication during school hours, the student’s parent must provide the medication. All medication, whether prescription or nonprescription, must be kept in the nurse’s office and can be administered by the nurse or another authorized district employee. A student may be authorized to possess his or her own medication because of asthma or a severe allergy as described below or as otherwise allowed by law. 

ALL MEDICATION DROP OFF/PICK-UPS MUST BE MADE BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN.

Prescription Medication:

• MUST be in the original bottle with the original, unexpired label 
• A written request from the parent must be signed 

Nonprescription medication:

• MUST be a new, unopened bottle
•  A written request from the parent must be signed and/or a note from the student’s physician

Sick Students Return to School Policy

Please keep sick students at home. School attendance is important, but so is keeping our students healthy. Sending sick children to school promotes the spread of germs and increases the probability that other students become ill. Please help us keep our students healthy and follow the below guidelines when your child is not feeling well: 

FEVER

Students with a fever over 100 degrees, must stay out of school until fever-free for 

24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

DIARRHEA

Students with diarrheal illnesses must stay out of school until diarrhea free for

24 hours without the use of diarrhea-suppressing medications.

VOMITING

Students that are throwing up should stay out of school until 

24 hours have passed with no episodes of vomiting.

Please reach out to your child’s campus nurse with any questions to concerns.

Kemp ISD Vaccine Requirements

Texas school immunization requirements are determined by the state legislature and set by the Texas Department of State Health Services, in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency. Maintaining adequate immunization rates in schools is critical to preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring the health of Texas children. Children are required to have all state-mandated immunizations and provide documentation to the school district for school attendance. 

Exemptions

You can apply for an Affidavit Request for Exemption at the link below for Reasons of Conscience. An original, notarized affidavit must be provided to the school to be considered valid. Exemptions must be renewed every two years. 

Medical Vaccine Exemptions require documentation signed by your child’s physician and are valid for one year from the signing date. 

• Info on Texas Vaccine Exemption

Click HERE to view information on Texas Immunization Exemptions

• Affidavit Request for Exemption

Click HERE to access the Immunization Exemption Request Form

7th Grade Immunization Requirements 

All incoming 7^th graders MUST receive two new vaccinations or obtain a notarized exemption from the State of Texas by the first day of school. Students will not be allowed to start their 7th-grade school year if an updated immunization record is not received by the campus nurse.

1. Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) – Booster dose
2. Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)  – 1st dose 

Helpful Links: 

• Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for College Entry

Click HERE to access the Back-to-School Immunization Guide

Click HERE to access the Minimum State Vaccine Requirements K-12

Parent Notification of SB66:

The purpose of this notification is to inform parents/guardians that in accordance with Chapter 38, Subchapter E of the Texas Education Code, Kemp Independent School District (KISD) has allows authorized and trained personnel to administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a person who is reasonably believed to be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction on a school campus.

Each campus will be supplied with stock epinephrine auto-injectors and standing orders from an advising physician to be used for cases of unsuspected anaphylaxis.

KISD will ensure that a sufficient number of school personnel at each campus are trained to administer epinephrine so that at least one trained individual is present while the campus is open. For purposes of this policy, a campus is considered open beginning with the first hour of instruction through the last hour of instruction. See Board Policy FFAC (Local). Mylan will fund the program through Epipen4schools. If funding from an outside source ceases, the implementation of Stock Epinephrine Auto-Injectors will be re-evaluated by KISD.

Parents of students with known life-threatening anaphylaxis should provide the school with all necessary medications for implementing the student- specific order on an annual basis. This guideline is not intended to replace student-specific orders or parent-provided individual medications.

PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR CHILD’S CAMPUS NURSE AS SOON AS YOUR CHILD IS DIAGNOSED WITH A FOOD ALLERGY

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FAMILY INCLUDE:

• Notifying the school of the student’s allergies in accordance with TEC, Section 25.022. Use of the KISD Food Allergy Disclosure Form is the preferred method of notification (The form is linked below).
• Working with the School Nurse (RN) to develop and review the FAAP/EAP and IHP as well as discuss accommodations the student will need throughout the school day, during school-sponsored activities, and on the school bus.
• Providing completed and signed KISD medication authorization, and Food Allergy Action Plan (signed by the physician) to the school nurse.
• Provide properly labeled medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration.
• Working with your child in the self-management of their food allergy including:

• Safe and unsafe foods,
• Strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods,
• Symptoms of allergic reactions,
• How and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem,
• How to read food labels (age appropriate),
• If age appropriate, the importance of carrying and administering their personal asthma and anaphylaxis medications as prescribed.

• Meeting with the school staff for post-exposure conference.
• Providing emergency contact information and update when needed.
  THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT INCLUDE:
• No trading of food with others.
• Not eating anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen.
• Being proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions (as developmentally appropriate).
• Immediately notifying an adult if they eat something they believe may contain a food to which they are allergic.

Click HERE to access the Food Allergy Form

TEXAS DSHS GUIDELINES

In response to the increasing rate of students with diagnosed food allergies at risk for anaphylaxis, laws were passed. This occurred during the 2011, 82nd Legislative Session, and the 2015, 84th Legislative Session. The bills were codified in the Texas Education Code, Chapters 25 and 38. Texas Education Code, Chapter 25, Section 25.0022, requires a parent or legal guardian to disclose, at the request of the school district, whether the child has a food allergy. Texas Education Code, Chapter 38, Section 38.0151, requires the board of trustees of each school district and the governing body or an appropriate officer of each open-enrollment charter school to adopt and administer a policy for the care of students with diagnosed food allergies at risk for anaphylaxis based on the guidelines developed by the legislated Ad-Hoc committee. The Guidelines are from the Texas Department of State Health Services can be viewed below. 

Click HERE to access Food Allergy Guidelines

Vision and Hearing

Texas law mandates vision and hearing screening for students in Early Education, Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th. Vision and hearing screenings are conducted in the fall or within 120 days of a new student’s enrollment in KISD. Parents of students who fail two vision screenings or two hearing screenings will receive a referral letter from the school nurse recommending a more comprehensive exam by an eye doctor, audiologist, or physician. 

Spinal Screening

Texas Law Changes to Spinal Screening Law (HB 1076):
Texas law mandates spinal screening for students. Girls will be screened two times, once at age 10 and again at age 12. Boys will be screened one time at age 13 or 14. Spinal screenings will be conducted throughout the year according to your child's birthday. Parent notification will be sent out approximately two weeks prior to screening. If you do not want your child to be screened at school, a physician statement of screening results or a  NOTORIZED reason of conscience affidavit will need to be on file in the clinic by 8:00 am the Monday prior to the scheduled screening date otherwise your child will participate in the screening. 

This is done in a private environment by school nurses. Parents of students who have positive findings will receive a referral letter from the school nurse recommending a more comprehensive exam by a physician. 

The purpose of spinal screening is to detect the signs of abnormal curves of the spine at their earliest stages so that the need for treatment can be determined. Scoliosis, a common spinal abnormality found in adolescents, is a sideways twisting of the spine. It is usually detected in children between ten and fourteen years of age. Kyphosis, sometimes called round back, is an exaggerated rounding of the upper back and is often confused with poor posture. Many cases of curvature of the spine are mild and require only ongoing observation by a physician when they are first diagnosed. Others can worsen with time as the child grows and require active treatment such as bracing or surgery. Early treatment can prevent the development of a severe deformity, which can affect a person’s health and appearance.

Acanthosis Nigricans (AN)

Texas law mandates this screening for students in grades 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th in conjunction with the vision and hearing screenings. If a positive AN marker is noted, the student will have blood pressure, height, and weight measured individually in a private setting at a later date. Parents of students who have positive findings will receive a referral letter from the school nurse recommending a more comprehensive exam by a physician. 

The purpose of the screening is to detect a linear, darkened skin color change that usually appears on the back of the neck. This marker is called Acanthosis Nigricans and is caused by too much insulin in the blood. It is a pre-diabetic condition and serves as an indicator of risk for Type 2 diabetes. Acanthosis Nigricans is usually seen during the pre-adolescence and adolescence years.

If you have any questions about screenings or your child’s results, please contact the school nurse on your child’s campus.

Mental Health Resources

Kemp ISD has a full-time counselor on each campus available to students, an Elementary SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) Counselor, a Secondary SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) Counselor, and a second At-Risk Counselor at the High School Campus. Our Counselors are available to assist students with a wide range of personal, social, and family concerns, including emotional or mental health issues and substance abuse.  
 

Please see the link below for a list of Mental Health resources:

Click HERE to access Local Mental Health Resources

School Health Advisory Council

A SHAC is a group of individuals representing segments of the community, mandated by the Texas Education Code and appointed by the school district to serve at the district level, to provide advice to the district on coordinated school health programming and its impact on student health and learning. The SHAC assists the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the district's health education instruction. The SHAC Committee will conduct their work in accordance with Title 2, Chapter 28, Section 28.004 of the Texas Education Code. The SHAC Committee will meet four times during the school year.

SHAC Members 2024/2025 School Year 

Ali Chapman, BSN RN – Committee Chair

Jessica Daniels, RN

Tammy Carmical, BSN RN

Alexandra Wright, RN

Cristi Shull, RN

Marcie Hamilton

Kasie Hodges

Brandi Norton

Amber Mahan

LaRhesa Haley

Shelly Pringle

Sherry Bell

Catherine Young

Stephanie Frosch

What is Bacterial Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is the most common and the least serious. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of the disease to cause serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.

Bacterial meningitis can be caused by multiple organisms. Two common types are Streptococcus pneumoniae, with over 80 serogroups that can cause illness, and Neisseria meningitidis, with five serogroups that most commonly cause meningitis.

What are the symptoms?

Someone with bacterial meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.

Children (over 1-year-old) and adults with meningitis may have severe headaches, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere on the body. The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results.

Is it serious?

If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, most people make a complete recovery. If left untreated or treatment is delayed, bacterial meningitis can be fatal, or a person may be left with a permanent disability.

How is it spread?

Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the flu. They are not spread by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes) or when people cough or sneeze without covering their mouth and nose.

The bacteria do not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of the bacteria for days, weeks, or even months. The bacteria rarely overcome the body’s immune system and cause meningitis or other serious illness.​

How do I prevent it?

Who is at risk?

Certain groups are at increased risk for bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis. These risk factors include HIV infection, travel to places where meningococcal disease is common (such as certain countries in Africa and in Saudi Arabia), and college students living in a dormitory. Other risk factors include having a previous viral infection, living in a crowded household, or having an underlying chronic illness.

Children ages 11-15 years have the second highest rate of death from bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Also, children ages 16-23 years have the second highest rates of disease caused by Neisseria meningiditis.

Questions?

Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all infectious diseases. You may also call your family doctor or local health department office to ask about the meningococcal vaccine.

Click HERE for information from Texas Health and Human Services.

Head Lice (All Grade Levels)

Head lice is very common among children and is easily spread through head-to-head contact (sports, nap times, sharing personal items etc.). If it is determined that a student has lice or nits (lice eggs), the school nurse will contact the student’s parent to discuss a plan for treatment with an FDA-approved medicated shampoo or cream rinse that may be purchased from any drug or grocery store. Follow-up with the campus nurse is recommended after treatment to ensure all lice/nits are gone.

It is easy for someone to become infected with lice and often very difficult to get rid of them, unless you follow the complete treatment listed below.  Home treatment of this condition can be rapid and simple:

• Put on clean clothing.
• Machine wash and dry, on HIGH HEAT, all clothing and bedding.  Place stuffed animals in plastic bags for 10 days and then remove and vacuum or wash in hot water and dry in the dryer.
• Clothing or bedding that cannot be washed may be dried in the dryer on high for 20 minutes.
• Vacuum furniture and carpet, also inside of vehicles.
• Boil combs, and brushes 5 minutes or soak one hour in the solution used to treat the hair. This includes hair ties, headbands, hair bows etc.
• Check all family members.  Use the same treatment on anyone else having lice.  Unless the whole family is FREE OF “NITS” OR LICE AT THE SAME TIME, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A PROBLEM.
• If your child sleeps with another family member treat that person also, whether he/she has nits or not.
• Instruct your child not to use anyone else’s hat, cap, scarf, coat, comb, brushes, or hair bows etc.
• Repeat the shampoo treatment in 7-10 days.  While the medication rapidly kills crawling lice, it does not kill the nits (lice eggs). All nits need to be removed.
• Blow-drying hair twice a day also helps in reducing nits.

READ DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY, SOME MEDICATION GOES ON DRY, WHILE OTHER MEDICATIONS ARE APPLIED TO WET HAIR.

Click HERE for more information about head lice

Below is a list of local clinics available for vaccinations/physicals, as well as well & sick child visits:

Local Clinics

Local Clinics- SPANISH