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Arizona State Law Requires parents to show proof of the following Immunizations for their children PRIOR to enrollment, again within 30 days AFTER their 11th birthday, and prior to 6th/9th grade entry. AZDH Immunization Reference Immunization Records must show your child’s current legal name, date of birth, the complete date your child was given each required vaccination, and where the vaccine was administered.  If you do not have your child's Immunization Record or your child has not received all required immunizations, call your Licensed Healthcare Provider for an appointment. You may also reach out to the Pima County Health Department for the date and location of the next immunization clinic. Additionally, many pharmacies may also be able to provide any missing immunizations to your child.  IMMUNIZATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS K-12 

• (DTaP/DTP) Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis, (DT/Td) Diphtheria & Tetanus:  3-5 doses (except Kindergarten/1st Grade which requires 4-6 doses), At least 1 dose must be after the child’s 4th birthday. 
• (IPV/OPV) Polio: 3-4 doses, with the last dose being after the child’s 4th birthday. No more than 4 doses are required. 
• (MMR) Measles, Mumps & Rubella: 2 doses, with the 1st dose on/after 1st birthday, 2nd dose must be at least 1 month after 1st dose 
• (HEP B) Hepatitis B: 3 doses, the last dose must be after the child is 24 weeks of age 
• Varicella (Chicken Pox):  1-2 doses 2nd dose is recommended, but required if 1st dose was given at 13 years old or older 

   ADDITIONAL IMMUNIZATIONS REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS AGED 11 YEARS AND OLDER  

• Tdap Booster (1 dose) is required for all students when they turn 11 years old.
• Meningococcal vaccine (MV) (1-2 doses) is required for all students aged 11 years and older. 
• If your child will have their 11th birthday during the school year, you will be given up to 30 days after their 11th birthday to acquire the child’s Tdap Booster and Meningococcal Vaccine. Please plan ahead and schedule your appointment ASAP!

Additional Immunizations that are RECOMMENDED by the health department but NOT REQUIRED for school enrollment at this time include the following (please see your healthcare provider for more information and age requirements for each vaccine):  COVID-19 Vaccine, Annual Flu Vaccine, Hepatitis A Vaccine, HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine, Meningitis B Vaccines 

Hearing and Vision screenings are conducted annually at all Sahuarita Schools on the following students:

• Students in Grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9  (other grades may be included as time permits)
• All students receiving Special Education services or who have been referred for Special Education testing
• Students who are new to the district and any student (PreK-12) who is referred to the health office for a Hearing/Vision Screening

IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR CHILD’S HEARING OR VISION SCREENING DONE AT SCHOOL, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE SCHOOL HEALTH OFFICE IN WRITING BY THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL EACH YEAR! If you elect to “opt out” of hearing and/or vision screenings, please provide a copy of a recent (within 6 months) hearing/vision report to the school health office. 

While SUSD utilizes Powerschool for our student “Educational” database, SUSD Health Offices utilize the SchoolCare database for student health records management. SchoolCare is a secure web-based student health documentation system that adheres to both FERPA and HIPAA regulations to ensure the confidentiality of your student’s health information.  

Like Powerschool, parents who enroll in SchoolCare will be able to log into their student’s health records and access Immunization and Health History records; hearing and vision screening results; and see when their child comes to the health office for any reason. If your student takes medications at school, SchoolCare will notify you when their inventory runs low. We may also use SchoolCare to send you e-mails when a student comes to the health office but an immediate call to parents is not needed.

Parents are asked to complete a brief student annual health history for your student during the School Registration/Re-Registration process and then should wait for an e-mail from SchoolCare to complete your online SchoolCare parent registration and complete the student’s health enrollment form.  Please stop in to see your school Health Assistant if your student has any health conditions that we should be aware of!

SchoolCare

SUSD is a “Drug-Free Zone.” All medications must be taken in the health office. This includes non-prescription medication.  

Every attempt must be made by the student’s parent and an Arizona Licensed Physician/Health Care Provider to have medication administered at home during non-school hours. When this is not possible, a completed Consent for Administration of Medication to Students Form must be provided for each medication to be administered during school hours. Parents may obtain this form from the school health office.

All medication administered by school personnel must be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (No medications from Mexico or another country will be accepted).

Information on dosage, side effects and contraindications of any medication or medicinal-like substance given by school personnel must be readily available from a professionally acknowledged resource (Physician's Desk Reference or other U.S. published drug reference book, FDA or USP website, etc). 

SUSD will not accept or administer any medications purchased outside of the United States;

All medications must be stored in the original container, labeled clearly with student name, medication name, dosage appropriate to student’s age and weight, times to be given, and expiration date. 

All medication shall be kept in secured storage in the Health Center with the exception of emergency medications that may be carried by a student with special written request of the Arizona Licensed Physician/Health Care Provider, parent/guardian and student. (See "Special Consent to Carry Medication" below.) Exception: Epi-Pens must be stored in a storage case that is easily accessible in an emergency. 

Students MAY NOT carry any medications on campus. All medications must be transported to/from school by an adult. Students possessing medications at school may result in a seizure of the medication and disciplinary action. (For students with asthma, anaphylaxis, or diabetes – please see the section on prescription medications)

For medications that need to be taken both at home and at school, please supply the school with a medication bottle to be kept at school, and keep an additional bottle of the medication at home for home use. Taking medications to and from school daily is not permitted unless a parent drops it off AND picks it up!  If the medication is a prescription medication, please ask your physician or Pharmacy to divide doses into two bottles with a prescription label on each bottle 

The student is responsible for coming to the School Health Center at the appropriate time for medication, although the school nurse and/or health assistant will be responsible for monitoring compliance.

School personnel should be informed of any side effects or complications which may result from taking the medication.

It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school nurse and/or health assistant of changes in medication schedules and/or discontinuation of the medication, in writing. All changes in medication, dosage, or times to be given are to be accompanied by a new Consent for Administration of Medication to Students Form and a written order from the prescriber must accompany any change in medication dosage.

The District reserves the right to circumscribe or disallow the use or administration of any medication on school premises if the threat of abuse or misuse of the medicine may pose a risk of harm to the individual student or to a member or members of the student population.

Parents are responsible for supplying medication and assuring that students do not run out of medication at school. 

It is recognized that the nurse and/or health assistant may not be aware of students who have medication in their possession. In such situations, District disciplinary procedures will be followed by site administration. 

All discontinued medication must be picked up within 1 week of discontinuation of the medication. Medications not returned to the family will be discarded in an appropriate and legal manner. 

 Before the end of the school year, the parent or legal guardian will be notified to pick up any leftover personal medication from the Health Center. Medications not returned to the family by the last day of school will be discarded in an appropriate and legal manner.

Prescription Medication

See Previous Sections on “All Medication.”

No student will be given prescription medication except upon order from an Arizona Licensed Physician/Health Care Provider or dentist who has the responsibility for medical management of the student. 

Prescription medication must be in the original non-expired container with a pharmacy label listing the student's name, medication name, dosage and the prescriber's name and phone number. 

The prescription container shall serve as the prescriber's original order since the prescription is on file at the pharmacy. Instructions on the Consent for Administration of Medication to Students Form must match the instructions on the pharmacy label. 

Prescription medications may not be shared with multiple children in the same family, even if they take the same medication with the same instructions. 

A written order from the prescriber must accompany any change in medication dosage that is inconsistent with the pharmacy label.

No sample medication will be given unless accompanied by a written note from the prescribing Arizona Licensed Physician/Health Care Provider. 

Administration of the medication during the school day must be medically necessary. 

The school nurse and/or health assistant will determine the schedule for medication administration unless specified by the prescriber. 

Written parent/guardian request and consent is required (Consent for Administration of Medication to Students Form). 

Parent/guardian consent shall be renewed annually. 

The parent/guardian assumes full responsibility for the supply, appropriate transportation and maintenance of prescription medication. 

Reasonable efforts will be made to ensure that the student receives his/her medication. If a student misses and/or persistently skips medication doses, the parent will be notified.  

Arizona state laws permit students to self-carry and self-administer epinephrine, an albuterol rescue inhaler, and/or diabetic medication/supplies. Parents must reach out to and speak with the health office to determine if this is the best option for their child and to obtain consent for Students to Self-Carry and Self-Administer Medications. This form must be on file with the health office PRIOR to the student bringing any of these medications onto campus. 

Please note: If your child’s medical condition requires them to keep an Albuterol Inhaler, Epinephrine Auto-Injector, Diabetes Medications/Supplies, or other “Life Saving” Medications with them at all times, PLEASE SEE SCHOOL HEALTH STAFF! Students may NOT carry any medication on campus without health office approval and the appropriate consent form on file. It is recommended that any child whose medical condition requires they keep these medications with them at all times should also keep backup medications/supplies in the health office so they may always be available to health staff in the event your child is experiencing an emergency.

Naturopathic, Homeopathic, and Herbal Medications: Must be FDA approved and shall follow the same guidelines as Prescription Medication. 

Controlled Substances: Controlled substances will be administered to students only by Arizona Licensed Physician/Health Care Provider order, validated by an Arizona Licensed Physician/Health Care Provider’s Statement, and with parent/guardian consent. 

Non- Prescription and Over the Counter Medications

See Previous Sections on “All Medication.”

If a parent/guardian wishes administration of an OTC medication, the parent/guardian and the student’s Arizona Licensed Physician/Health Care Provider will complete and sign a " Consent for Administration of Medication to Students Form) and supply the school with the medication. 

Parent-supplied OTC medication must be unopened in its original unexpired container and labeled with the student's name. 

Administration of parent-supplied medication will be at the discretion of the school nurse and at a dosage in keeping with the manufacturer's recommendations.

If your child has any allergies or medical conditions/needs that school staff needs to be aware of, please reach out to the school health office prior to the first day of school. Depending on the condition, we may require additional medical documentation from the child’s parent/guardian and an Arizona Licensed Physician/Health Care Provider. Documentation required may include a Medical Statement, a Medical Management Plan, Parent Questionnaires, Medication Consent, or other documentation forms. 

If your child requires the use of any medical equipment during school hours, please reach out to your school health office. This includes crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, and a wide variety of other medical equipment. A physician’s order will be required to use any medical equipment on campus during the school day. 

To assist parents with obtaining the correct documentation for some common health conditions, please review the documents below and print the appropriate forms and parent information packets as needed. Please complete any “parent questionnaires” prior to visiting your Arizona Licensed Physician or Health Care Provider so that they may review and are prepared to complete the appropriate Medical Management Plan. 

For students with Food Allergies, Food Restrictions, or Special Medical Needs Diets, please be sure your Arizona Licensed Physician/Healthcare Provider completes the Medical Statement for Students with Food Allergies, Food Restriction, or Special Needs diet form as required by state and federal law. If this form is not received by the school, the cafeteria cannot provide accommodation for your child. Please also have your Arizona Licensed Physician/Healthcare Provider complete the Food Allergy Medication Management Plan if your child has an epinephrine auto-injector device for any food allergies. Both documents are included in the appropriate Parent Information Packets below. 

Please return any completed forms to your child’s school health office. 

Please note: School health office staff must keep student medical information confidential, to the greatest extent possible. Therefore, we ask that parents also notify teachers of any allergies, food restrictions, special needs diet, or other medical conditions/needs that your child’s teacher should be aware of. 

• Consent and Authorization Forms and Parent Information Packets for Specific Conditions

• • Permission for Release/Exchange of Student Records 
  • Medical Statement and Authorization to Administer Tube Feedings and Reinsert Dislodged G-Tube or J-Tube 
  • Authorization to Administer Physician-Prescribed Treatment/Procedure 
  • Authorization to Assist K-12 Student with Toileting and/or Diapering - please see health assistant for form. 
  • Parent Information Packet: Food Allergies Documentation Requested
  • Parent Information Packet: Food Restriction or Special Needs Diet Documentation Requested
  • Parent Information Packet: MILK Allergy/Sensitivity/Intolerance Documentation Requested
  • Parent Information Packet: Insect-Environmental Allergies Documentation Requested
  • Parent Information Packet: Asthma Documentation Requested 
  • Parent Information Packet: Diabetes Documentation Requested
  • Parent Information Packet: Seizure Documentation Requested
  • Request to use medical equipment or mobility devices (walker, wheelchair, crutches, etc.) at school - please see health assistant for form. 

Guidelines and Procedures to Support Local Wellness Policy

Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies

Nutrition Letter to Parents

Nutrition Calculator

SUSD #30 has developed a Return to Academics Concussion Management Team. The main goal is to ensure that students engage in a safe level of cognitive activity as their brain heals. The team systematically works with the student, family, teachers, administrators, athletic trainers, and physicians to manage symptoms and provide teachers ways to help students recover.

If your child sustains a concussion, you may refer him/her to Sarah Dachtyl, Ph.D., CCC/SLP ([email protected]; 625-3502 x1514) if you would like access to this team.

Does your child- entering or in Grades 6-12th- plan on participating in sports? If so, they are required to submit a valid annual sports physical to their school health office. Sports Physicals are valid for one school year and must be submitted on or after March 1st for it to be valid for the following school year.

Sports Physical Forms may be obtained from the school health offices or printed online. Sports Physical Forms can be completed at your Physician’s Office or other sports physical clinics throughout the area.

• AIA Sports Physical Form 15.7 A Annual Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (parent/guardian signature required)
• AIA Sports Physical Form 15.7 B Annual Preparticipation Physical Examination (physician/nurse practitioner must complete)
• AIA Sports Physical Form 15.7 C Annual Preparticipation Acknowledgement (parent/guardian and student signatures required)

Common Colds and Flu plague schools year-round. They are an unavoidable nuisance, however, teaching your children to cover their cough/ sneeze with their elbows or arm and to wash their hands frequently will help them stay a little healthier. If your child is coughing or sneezing a lot, they may need to be kept home from school. Generally, we do not notify parents that colds and the flu are going around since that occurs all year long.

Other common communicable illnesses to be on the lookout for include Chicken Pox, Conjunctivitis (“Pink Eye”) and Head Lice. You should check your child frequently for signs of these health problems, and if you suspect your child has one, then please DO NOT send them to school! They should be evaluated by a medical professional and receive treatment if necessary before returning to school. If your child IS diagnosed with one of these problems, it is very important that you notify the school so we can monitor for potential outbreaks. Please have your physician write a note about the diagnosis (even if they are diagnosed with another problem) and any treatments needed, and how long a student is expected to be absent.

These nuisances and others are present in very small numbers throughout the school year. When we suspect that a child has one of these health concerns, we do send them home for medical evaluation and treatment. If we see more than an isolated case or any unusual trend of illness, we will notify parents of classmates. Please do not be alarmed if your child says we checked his/her head for lice. We do periodic health concerns, we do send them home for medical evaluation and treatment. If we see more than an isolated case or any unusual trend of illness, we will notify parents of classmates. Please do not be alarmed if your child says we checked his/her head for lice. We do periodic random head lice checks throughout the year, it does not necessarily mean they have been exposed to head lice.

If your child has “eye allergies” it is very important you have your physician write a note that we can keep on file to document this. If we do not have medical documentation, then we do have to send your child home for possible “pink eye” anytime they are red/irritated and have tearing or purulent drainage. And in some cases, even with documentation, we may still send students home if their eyes look like “Pink Eye” as opposed to allergies, especially if other cases of “Pink Eye” have been identified in the school.

ANY UNCOMMON, SERIOUS OR LIFE-THREATENING (OR AN OUTBREAK) OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES WILL BE FOLLOWED UP WITH PARENT COMMUNICATION LETTERS. We work closely with the Pima County Health Department and will follow their guidance on any public health issue’s affecting our schools.

Should you have any questions and/or concerns about whether your child should return to school after an illness, please contact your school nurse or health assistant.

To maintain the health and well-being of your child and other students, the following information may be helpful.

• Mild Respiratory Tract Illnesses - Most children will not need to be excluded unless accompanied by fever or behavioral changes. Students may need to be excluded from school if they have multiple or severe symptoms.
• Flu-Like Symptoms – Students with aching accompanied by fever 100.0 or higher, sore throat, and/or headaches may need to be excluded from school until symptoms resolve or fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications.
• Fever 100.0 or higher – A student having a temperature of 100.0°F or higher and should be kept home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications.
• Vomiting - A student having active vomiting should be kept home until they are vomiting free for 24 hours unless vomiting is caused by a medically documented non-communicable condition. Students with a non-communicable condition may need to be excluded from school if they vomit 2 or more times during the school day OR if they have multiple symptoms of illness which may include fever/diarrhea.
• Diarrhea - A student having active diarrhea should be kept home until they are diarrhea free for 24 hours unless the student is known to have diarrhea from a medically documented non-contagious condition, documented by their medical provider. Students with a non-communicable condition may need to be excluded from school if they have diarrhea 3 or more times during the school day if diarrhea cannot be contained OR if they have multiple symptoms of illness which may include fever/vomiting. 
• Pink Eye - Students with “pink/red” eyes with tearing or purulent drainage should stay home from school and see their pediatrician. If diagnosed with Pink Eye and/or prescribed antibiotics, Students should remain home from school for a full 24 hours beginning with the FIRST DOSE of antibiotics.
• Strep Throat - Students having a “sore throat” with redness, swelling of the throat, and/or white exudates should stay home from school and see their pediatrician. If diagnosed with Strep Throat and/or prescribed antibiotics, Students should remain home from school for a full 24 hours beginning with the FIRST DOSE of antibiotics.
• Other Contagious Infections Requiring Antibiotics - Students should remain home from school for a full 24 hours beginning with the FIRST DOSE of antibiotics.
• Head Lice – Sahuarita Unified School District has a “nit free” policy. Any student who is found to have head lice and/or nits must be excluded from school until treatment is received and all lice/nits are removed from hair with a fine-tooth comb. Students returning to school will need to be checked for head lice/nits before they are permitted to return to class.
• Rash – A student should be kept at home for any suspicious rash or if the rash is accompanied by a fever or behavioral change until a physician has determined the illness is not a communicable disease. 

If a student has a medical condition that causes any of the symptoms outlined above or other symptoms that concern the Health Office Staff, we may request that you provide written documentation from your child’s medical provider. Your child may be excluded from school for any of the above symptoms or other symptoms that concern the Health Office Staff until written medical documentation is provided.

In the event your child is too sick to come to school, please call your school's attendance office as soon as possible to report the student’s absence. Please also notify the attendance clerk of any health problems that are contagious and may “spread” to the rest of the class, so that we may monitor the situation. Please refer to your school for their attendance policies.

ANY UNCOMMON, SERIOUS OR LIFE-THREATENING (OR AN OUTBREAK) OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES WILL BE FOLLOWED UP WITH PARENT COMMUNICATION LETTERS. We work closely with the Pima County Health Department and will follow their guidance on any public health issues affecting our schools.

Should you have any questions and/or concerns about whether your child should return to school after an illness, please contact your school nurse or health assistant.

Most children LOVE to visit the Health Offices. They visit the Health Office for many reasons. Most children come for minor illnesses or injuries such as a tummy ache, mild headache, a small bump, scrape or scratch, or even dress code issues. Some children come because they want to get out of class, perhaps because of a tough subject. With the younger children, they often want to come because “Johnny got to go to the Health Office”. Others just need a little “TLC” (Tender Loving Care).

When a child gets a pass to the Health Office, they will most often be seen by one of our capable Health Assistants. The Health Assistants will evaluate the child to see if they have a problem that can be easily remedied with rest, band-aids, icepacks (the kids LOVE icepacks whether they truly need one or not), a small snack, change of clothes, or even a “pep talk”. Whenever possible, children are returned to class as quickly as possible.

If a child soils clothing, he/she will be given a change of clothing if available, and the child will go to the bathroom alone to clean up and change. If students require assistance cleaning up, parents will be called immediately. Soiled clothing will be bagged and placed in child’s backpack to be brought home and washed. If your child has frequent bathroom accidents, or you do not wish for your child be given our clothing, please keep extra clothing in your child’s backpack and let your child’s teacher know. Most schools appreciate donations of gently used dress code clothing. Schools are also in need of new underwear to give to students in the event of bathroom accidents. Any clothing loaned to your students should be washed and returned to school in good condition.

When a child’s symptoms are out of the ordinary (head injury, facial injuries, etc) or the child appears to be too sick to remain in school, the Health Assistants will call parents and either ask for guidance as to what to do next or request that the student be picked up from school. Sometimes they will refer the parent to take the child to a doctor for further evaluation.

Please remember, Nurses and Health Assistants CANNOT DIAGNOSE children. We can only tell you what we see, and determine whether or not the child is well enough to remain in school. If we suspect that the child MIGHT have a more serious health concern or potentially contagious illness, we may exclude the child from school and ask that the child is seen by a physician for a diagnosis.

Students who are too sick to remain at school will be kept in the Health Office and parents will be contacted to pick up their sick child. Please make sure your emergency contact numbers are always up to date at the school. If you are called to pick up your child, please do so in a timely manner to avoid the possibility of passing illnesses to others.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your School Health Assistant. If you have concerns they are unable to address, please contact the school administrator or district nurse.