PIONEER
Union School District
Health
Health Note: Since the school is a community of persons with close physical contact, it is a requirement that parents keep children home who have signs of illness, as many communicable illnesses are most infectious at their onset. It is necessary to keep a child home at least 24 hours after an elevated temperature has returned to normal, because resistance to a new illness is decreased and the child may begin a new illness or have are lapse. For questions about specific illnesses, school exclusion, etc., contact your physician or the school nurse.
Nurse Services
The Pioneer School District provides the services of a school nurse on a limited basis. The school nurse is involved with head lice screening, checking student health forms and immunization records, family life education, scoliosis screening for middle school students, hearing and vision screening. Parents may contact the nurse at school if they have specific questions or concerns regarding their child(ren).
Use of Medication at School
Students who need to take medicine of any kind (prescription or over the counter) may do so only with written permission from the doctor AND the parent. Forms are available in the school office and one is included at the back of this handbook. The parent shall bring all medication to the school office for secure storage. The medication must be in the original container, properly labeled with the pupil's name, medication, and dosage (amount and times of medication). Parents should bring all medications to school. Students will not be allowed to take or administer in any way, any type of medications without the proper forms and permissions on file with the school office. Medication permission forms are valid for (1) one school year and must be renewed by the parent each school year. Forms can be found on the school district web site or in your school office.
Note: If parents are taking their child to the doctor for an illness which may require medication at school, it would be helpful to take a blank form with them. Both the parent and the physician can fill in needed signatures at that time rather than making a special trip later.
California Mandated School Screenings
Parents who do not wish for the credentialed school nurse to screen their child for vision, hearing, or scoliosis must provide in writing a note of exclusion to the site school nurse. Parents who opt out of screenings may provide the site school nurse with a medical summary from their primary care physician. (California Education Code 49451)
Vision Criteria: California Education Code 49452 and the California Department of Education, A Guide for Vision Testing in California Public Schools. The grades screened annually for vision are Kinder, 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 8th. The screening is conducted by the credentialed school nurse for distant visual acuity (DVA) and near visual acuity (NVA) for all grades. Additionally, color vision screening for 1st grade boys only.
​
Hearing Criteria: California Education Code 49452 and the state of California Health Services Children’s Medical Services Branch Hearing Conservation Program. The grades screened annually for hearing are Kinder, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 10th.
​
Scoliosis Criteria: California Education Code 49452.5 and California Department of Education, Standards for Scoliosis Screening in
California Public Schools. The grades screened annually for scoliosis
are 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys. The screening is conducted
by the credentialed school nurse during physical education classes
and is a visual inspection only. One week prior the students are
provided education on scoliosis and the procedures for the screening. Parents and students may opt out of the screening by providing a
written statement from the parent or a physician’s summary which
shows the screening has already been performed.
​
How to Access Student Mental Health Services (AB2022)
In accordance with AB 2022, Pupil mental health services: school notification, the Pioneer Union School District wants to ensure that parents, guardians, and students are informed about resources available for anyone who believes they are in a mental health crisis. We encourage parents/guardians and students to talk with any adult in the school district if they are concerned about another student and possible mental health needs. Take all threats of suicide seriously.
School District Resources: Pioneer Union School District Mental health services in schools include a broad range of services, settings, and strategies. Psychological and mental health services in schools are designed to improve instruction and coordinate and evaluate plans to meet unique individual needs for learning or behavior problems. PUSD utilizes a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) to design prevention and intervention programs. PUSD provides crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and other mental health strategies as part of a student support services team. Mental health services that are provided at PUSD may include academic counseling, brief interventions to address behavior problems, assessments and referrals to other systems.
At PUSD, Mental Health Services can be accessed at each school site, by any student, and/or parent/guardian by emailing the school Superintendent, Patrick Paturel ppaturel@pioneerusd.org, or call 530-620-3556.