Health Services - School Nurses and Health in School
- School nurses in Missoula
- Immunizations
- Head lice
- Contagious diseases
- Healthy eating at school
- Montana Parent's Handbook to Special Education: A guide to understanding special education for school-age children in Montana, (Parents Let's Unite for Kids - PLUK)
- Information for Day Care providers
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School nurses in Missoula |
School nurses perform an incredible variety of tasks each day. They are members of the school’s administrative team and often act as advocates for the health and safety needs of children. They can help a child manage a chronic disease, provide staff training for emergencies, monitor basic hygiene and infection control, assist children with special needs, provide assessment and referrals, review immunization records, administer first aid, dry tears and give hugs.
However, not all Missoula District One or County schools have a nurse in the building. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 1 school nurse for every 750 students. Some schools in Missoula have a ration of 1 nurse per 1000 students.
You may contact your child's school regarding a school nurse:
Listing and contact for all Missoula County schools
Health Department school nurse support
The Health
Department is available to school nurses, and to schools without nurses,
for consultation or technical assistance regarding immunization laws,
review of records, or other issues as needed. The Health Dept also advocates on
local, state and national levels for better nurse-to-student staffing ratios.
In addition, the Health
Dept. can provide on-site school nursing services on a
contract basis.
Many schools in the nation do not currently meet the CDC’s goal of 1 nurse to 750 well students, but there is hope ahead. National legislation has been proposed to address this issue – HR 2730 and S 2750.
Check out more about school nurses and school nursing issues:
National Association of School Nurses’ web site.
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Immunizations |
To prevent epidemics and reduce complications and deaths, all states have laws requiring all children to be immunized against many preventable diseases.
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Head lice |
Lice - National Institute for Health
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Infectious (contagious) diseases |
Many diseases are infectious, meaning that they can easily be passed from one person to another, often through coughing or sneezing.
Reduce your child's chances of getting an infectious disease:
- Encourage them to wash their hands frequently through-out the day.
- Get them immunized against infectious diseases.
- Make sure they get ample rest and sleep.
- Provide them with a healthy diet.
- Share regular exercise with them.
Reduce the chances that your child will pass their infectious disease along to others:
- Make sure that they cover coughs and sneezes---cough or sneeze into their elbow.
- Have them drop used tissues into the trash, not onto their table or desk.
- Keep them home if they have a fever.
- Remind them to wash their hands frequently through-out the day.
Infectious disease information
Infectious disease at school - Center for Disease Prevention and Control
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Healthy eating at school |
A well-fed child is neither hungry nor overweight, and has more energy for learning and activity than a hungry child. What a child eats for lunch at school has a profound impact on his or her academic future.
The CATCH program (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) is a cutting-edge program to increase healthy eating and physical activity in elementary students. It builds an alliance among parents, teachers, child nutrition personnel, school staff, and community partners to teach children and their families how to be healthy for a lifetime.
How to apply for a Free or Reduced School Lunch.
Eat Smart - for school aged children.
Missoula schools wellness policy and food guidelines
For a home-packed lunch:
MCCHD on Facebook
MCCHD on Twitter