Bolivar Primary School

The health and safety of our students is a top priority in the Bolivar R-I School District. Our school health program provides access to first aid care, promotes wellness, and supports the academic success of all children. By identifying health needs early and responding quickly to illness or injury, we help reduce absenteeism and ensure students are ready to learn.

A full-time registered nurse is available at Bolivar Primary School to support the daily health needs of students. The nurse:

• Maintains health records and notifies families of immunization requirements.
   
• Assesses students who become ill or injured at school and provides first aid until they can return to class or be picked up.
   
• Screens students for vision and hearing concerns as needed.
   
• Administers prescribed medications in accordance with the district’s Medication Policy.
• Coordinates CMH telehealth visits for students and staff, with parent/guardian consent, allowing quick evaluation and testing for common illnesses.
   
• Promotes a safe, sanitary, and healthy environment for all students.
   
• Provides guidance and information to families regarding health conditions, illness prevention, and when to seek further medical care.

For specific health questions, concerns, or to update your child’s health information, please contact the school nurse at (417)326-5247 ext 4.

The Bolivar R-I School District is committed to protecting the health of students and staff while respecting the rights and privacy of individuals. Students are entitled to a safe learning environment and will be treated in a fair, nondiscriminatory manner, regardless of medical condition.

Immunizations

In accordance with Missouri law, students cannot attend school without providing proof of required immunizations, unless an official exemption is on file.

Universal Precautions

All staff are trained to use universal precautions to prevent the spread of disease. The district provides the equipment and supplies necessary to implement these precautions.

Illness & Exclusion from School

Students or employees with communicable diseases that pose a risk of transmission in school (such as chickenpox, influenza, or pink eye) will be managed in line with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and local health department guidelines. Management may include temporary exclusion from school or reassignment as needed for the health and safety of others.

• Students with chronic communicable diseases that are not spread in the school setting (such as hepatitis B or HIV) are allowed to attend school or work without restrictions based solely on infection.
   
• In certain situations (such as oozing skin lesions, frequent bleeding, or behaviors like biting that could spread infection), temporary changes in placement or reassignment may be necessary. For students with disabilities, decisions will be made by the IEP or 504 team.
   

Confidentiality

Student and employee health information is confidential and will only be shared with staff who have a legitimate need to know in order to provide safe care or educational services. All records are maintained in compliance with law and district policy.

Reporting & Outbreak Control

The district follows all state and local requirements for reporting communicable diseases and for implementing outbreak control measures in collaboration with DHSS and local public health authorities.

Notification

Missouri law provides that when the superintendent supplies a copy of the district’s adopted communicable disease policy to DHSS, the superintendent is entitled to confidential notice if any student enrolled in the district is reported as HIV-positive. Parents/guardians are also required by law to notify the superintendent if their child is HIV-positive.

For more details, please see Board Policy EBB (Communicable Diseases) in the district handbook

The Bolivar R-I School District does not conduct routine, school-wide head lice checks. If multiple cases are reported, the school nurse will screen the group of students most likely to have been exposed.

• If live lice are found: Parents/guardians will be notified, and the student must go home for treatment. The child may return the following school day, accompanied by a parent/guardian, and will be rechecked by the nurse before returning to class. If lice are still present, the student will again be excluded until treatment has been completed. This process continues until the student is free of live lice.
   
• If only nits (eggs) are found: Parents/guardians will be notified, and the student may remain at school. The nurse will recheck within 5 days. This process continues until the student is nit-free.
   
• Family checks: Siblings or household members of an affected student may also be checked by the nurse.
   

The school nurse will provide guidance on treatment options and keep health information confidential. If it appears that treatment is not being provided after repeated notices, the principal or Care Team may be notified for follow-up, and in certain cases the matter may be referred to the Missouri Children’s Division.

For more details, please see Board Policy JHCCA – Head Lice in the district handbook.

The school nurse evaluates students who become ill or injured during the school day and decides whether they should remain at school or go home. Not every complaint requires exclusion from school; decisions are based on symptoms, severity, and the child’s ability to participate safely in learning.

Students may be sent home for:

• Fever of 100.4°F or higher
   
• Vomiting
   
• Diarrhea
   
• Severe difficulty breathing or respiratory distress
   
• Significant injury requiring medical care beyond basic first aid
   
• Severe faintness, dizziness, or change in level of consciousness
   
• Severe asthma exacerbation
• Diabetic emergency
• Seizures
   
• Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
   
• Symptoms of a contagious disease
   
• Eye with purulent (pus) drainage
   
• Draining wounds that cannot be covered
   
• Severe ear pain
   
• Symptoms of concussion
   
• Nosebleeds that will not stop
   
• Live lice infestation
• Live bed bugs on the student or belongings
   
• Rash with concerning symptoms

Return to School

• Students must be fever-free (without fever-reducing medication) and symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning.
   
• Some illnesses may require a doctor’s note or clearance per DHSS or local public health guidelines.
   
• Students with certain communicable diseases may be excluded for longer, based on healthcare provider or health department direction.
   

Parent Notification

• Parents/guardians will be called when a student needs to be picked up for illness or injury.
   
• Minor concerns (such as a scraped knee or mild headache) will be treated at school. Parents may receive an email update if follow-up at home is recommended.
   
• It is very important that the school has a current phone number, address, and emergency contact in case of illness or injury.

To protect the health of all students, Missouri law requires that each child have current, up-to-date immunization records on file with the school. Students without the required records may not attend school until documentation of up-to-date immunization or exemption is provided.

Requirements:

• Students must present documentation of up-to-date immunizations before attending school, including month, day, and year of each dose.
   
• Missouri follows the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) schedule. A 4-day grace period is allowed for all vaccines.
   
• Students may remain in school if they are “in progress” (have begun the vaccine series and have a scheduled appointment for the next dose). An Immunizations In Progress form (Imm.P.14) must be on file, and appointments must be kept to maintain compliance.
   
• Exemptions:
   
  • Medical Exemption (Imm.P.12): Requires a physician’s signature.
     
  • Religious Exemption (Imm.P.11A): Requires parent/guardian signature.
     
  • Exemption forms must be on file at the school.
     
• Students with exemptions or incomplete immunization records may be excluded from school during outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases at the direction of public health officials.
   

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) publishes the full list of required vaccines by grade level each year. Current requirements can be found at:
👉 Missouri School Immunization Requirements

It is the policy of the Board of Education that the administration of medication during school hours be limited to situations where it is necessary for a student to remain in school. Parents are encouraged to schedule doses of medication outside of school hours whenever possible to minimize disruption to instruction.

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications

• School personnel may administer both prescription and over-the-counter medications at school, including topical medications such as sunscreen or creams.
   
• All medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, require a signed document from a physician stating:
   
  • The name of the medication
     
  • The dosage
     
  • The time(s) to be administered
     
  • The reason for giving the medication
     
• This document must also be signed by the parent or guardian and submitted to the school nurse.
   

Medication Transport and Storage

• All medications must be brought to school by a parent or guardian. Students may not transport medications in backpacks, on the bus, or on their person.
   
• Medications will be stored and administered in a safe and secure manner by the school nurse or authorized personnel.
   

Administration Guidelines

• Students with chronic conditions requiring emergency medication must have the medication properly labeled and accompanied by specific written instructions from their physician, signed by both physician and parent, updated annually.
   
• It is recommended that, when possible, medications be administered before or after school to allow students to experience uninterrupted instructional time.
   
• Exceptions or special circumstances may be arranged in consultation with the school nurse.

The safety and well-being of students is a top priority for our schools. Missouri law requires all school staff to report any suspected child abuse or neglect.

• If a staff member suspects that a child is being abused or neglected, or notices conditions that could put a child at risk, they are required to report it immediately.
   
• Reports are made to the school principal or a designated staff member, who then contacts the Children’s Division (CD) of Family Services.
   
• Staff may also contact the Children’s Division directly if needed, but they must notify the school principal afterward.
   

These laws help ensure that children get the support and protection they need.

One of the primary goals of the Bolivar R-I School District’s wellness program is to promote student health, reduce student overweight/obesity, facilitate student learning of lifelong healthy habits, and increase student achievement. The following procedures will be followed:

1. Wellness Policy Procedures (Instructional Day)

• Academic and individual rewards
• Classroom parties, celebrations and fundraising guidelines
• Encourage a variety of choices in the classroom to recognize achievement.
• When food is offered, single serving sizes will be given.
• All food provided will be pre-packaged with ingredients on the food label.
• Emphasis should be placed on non-food rewards.
• Food items cannot be homemade, due to the possibility of food allergies.

2. Ala Carte Policy

• Meet minimum Missouri Eat Smart Guidelines
• Fifty percent (50%) of food items offered do not contain more than 35% of total calories from fat.
• Fifty percent (50%) of beverages offered will be water, milk, or juice.

3. Beverage Machine Policy

• Fifty percent (50%) of beverage machines per building will include non-caloric, non-carbonated items such as water, juice, sports drinks, lemonades, and teas. (Note: the beverage machine is not accessible to Bolivar Primary students).

4. Snack Vending Machine Policy

• Fifty percent (50%) of items will contain 35% or less of fat calories. (Note: the snack machine is not accessible to Bolivar Primary students).