School Health
School health programs promote positive health behaviors and lessen negative health behaviors. School programs that account for the individual, family, school, and community can positively influence both student health behaviors and learning.
Popular Questions
At a minimum, a local school health program will include first aid and emergency response, including CPR and response to breathing emergencies utilizing the mandated medication protocol; medication administration; immunization, physical exam, and visual evaluation compliance; and health screening.
School nurses keep children healthy and promote wellness, disease management and hygienic health practices in school. They advance the well-being, academic success and life-long achievement and health of students.
Each student must be protected by immunization against the following diseases (unless otherwise exempted from this requirement under provisions of 173 NAC 30010):
- Measles
- Diphtheria
- Invasive pneumococcal disease
- Mumps
- Tetanus
- Rubella
- Pertussis
- Polio
- Haemophilus
- Influenzae type b (Hib)
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella
School require the presentation of an immunization history which includes the name of the vaccine and the month, day, and year of administration.
Yes. You will need a statement signed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner stating that, in the health care provider’s opinion, the specified immunizations required would be injurious to the health and well-being of your child or any member of your family or household. Also acceptable is a notarized affidavit signed by your child or, if he or she is a minor, by a legally authorized representative of the child, stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized religious denomination of which the child is an adherent or member or that immunization conflicts with the personally and sincerely followed religious beliefs of the child.
Nebraska Schools have a duty under state law to provide a quality health screening program to all students. The purpose of health screenings is to identify those students needing further evaluation or assistance in the areas of screening.
Health screenings include height, weight, vision, hearing, and dental.
Your child is required to have
- a physical examination by a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse-nurse practitioner with in the six months prior to the entrance of your child into the beginner grade and the seventh grade, or in the case of a transfer from out of state, to another grade of the local school
- a visual evaluation by a physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse-nurse practitioner, or an optometrist within six months prior to the entrance of your child into the beginner grade or, in the case of transfer from out of state, to any other grade of the local school
Nebraska School Health Screenings Frequently Asked Questions for Parents/Guardians
DHHS has provided a guideline on contagious and infectious diseases and conditions that can affect your child in school.
View the guidelines on contagious and infectious diseases/conditions
If you suspect your child is being bullied in school, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) have created a bullying handout that outlines resources and strategies to help parents to address bullying.
If your child is feeling hopeless, helpless, or thinking of suicide, you can contact National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
StopBullying.gov provides information on bullying, cyberbullying and prevention.
Visit StopBullying.gov
Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.
Every school is required to comply with the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This law makes it illegal for public schools to discriminate against children with disabilities. In a school setting, children with a disability who do not qualify for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), may still qualify for a reasonable accommodation under Section 504.
A Section 504 plan is a written document that ensures that students who have a disability will receive reasonable accommodations from their school district for accessing a free appropriate public education.
Every school district is required to have a 504 Coordinator, who is responsible for ensuring that 504 evaluations and plans are written for students who need them.
If you think your child may need a 504 plan, you will need to contact the 504 Coordinator in your school district. You should contact this person in writing. You may wish to write a letter asking for your child to be evaluated or you may be able to supply the coordinator with your child’s medical records.
Learn more about Section 504 plan
No child should die at school from an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction. All schools in Nebraska are to be prepared to respond to life-threatening asthma and anaphylaxis emergencies. The protocol directs school staff to identify signs and symptoms of a breathing emergency and respond by calling 911, administering an EpiPen and following with nebulized albuterol.
As a parent, you are expected to ensure your child continues to have school-day access to emergency medications; auto-injectable epinephrine, metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), albuterol for nebulizing (to include neb cup & tubing) AND to have an asthma/allergy action plan on file with the school.
Instructions on how to create an asthma/allergy action plan
Visit Asthma / Anaphylaxis Intervention, Resources & Education (AIRE) in Nebraska website
