Health Services
Resource
Mission Statement
Forsyth County Schools Health Services is dedicated to delivering high-quality, student-focused healthcare aimed at optimizing academic success. Through close collaboration and partnership with school staff, families, and community partners, we cultivate a nurturing environment that enhances students' well-being. Our approach involves proactive identification, maintenance, and prevention of health issues while empowering a student’s capacity for self-management, self-advocacy, and learning. Adapting to the evolving needs of our diverse student body and community is paramount to ensuring the success of our students.
- FCS Health Forms
- Health Related Resources
- Health Services Frequently Asked Questions
- Immunization Requirements
FCS Health Forms
Health Related Resources
Health Services Frequently Asked Questions
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When should I keep my child home from school due to illness?
Please review the Guidance Related to Viruses and Infections document.
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What if my child has a health condition?
In order to provide the best care possible, it is important to inform the school of your child’s health conditions. Depending on the health condition, FCS may request completion of a healthcare plan by your child’s healthcare provider. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide a health care plan and any required medications to the school nurse. You can find a list of FCS Health Forms above. Keeping the school informed and up-to-date helps ensure the safety and well-being of your child while at school.
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Does FCS provide medications to students?
No, FCS does not provide medications to students. Medications must be brought to the school clinic by a parent/guardian with a completed Request for Administration of Medication form. If necessary, an additional healthcare plan may also be required.
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What if my child requires a medication daily during the school day?
Medications should be administered at home whenever possible. However, if the medication is required to be administered during school hours, the parent or guardian would need to bring the medication to the school clinic along with a completed Request for Administration of Medication form. This ensures that the school is aware of the medication and can administer it safely and according to the healthcare provider’s order. Once everything is in order, the medication dose will be scheduled for your child during their school day as prescribed. This process helps maintain student’s health and safety while at school.
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What if my child may need a medication on an as-needed basis during the school day?
A parent or guardian can bring the medication to the school clinic along with the completed Request for Administration of Medication form. This ensures that the school is aware of the medication and authorizes its administration as necessary.
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Can my child just carry their own medication (either over the counter or prescription) and self-administer? (*Please see question #7 for an exception for emergency medications)
No, all medications must be brought to the school clinic by the parent or guardian, and a Request for Administration of Medication form must be completed. This policy is in place for the health and safety of all students. By centralizing medication administration through the school clinic and requiring parental involvement, the school can better monitor and manage the administration of medication to ensure they are administered safely and appropriately.
Any student possessing a prescription or OTC medication not in accordance with these guidelines will be considered in violation of FCS Board Policy JCDAC; Student Drug Use and shall be subject to the discipline set forth in FCS Code of Conduct.
7. My child has a health condition that requires an emergency medication. Are they allowed to carry their emergency medication and/or self-administer if needed?
Yes, if your child has a health condition that requires an emergency medication, they are allowed to carry and/or self-administer with appropriate documentation. The documentation required includes the appropriate healthcare plan, Request for Administration of Medication form and an Authorization for Student to Carry an Emergency Medication form. Please note an antihistamine is not classified as an emergency medication and should be stored in the clinic. It is important to note that self-carrying medication doesn’t imply a student’s ability to self-administer during an emergency situation. Instead, with the required documentation in place, proper communication, and training of school employees, the student can be assisted with the administration of their emergency medication as needed. This ensures that students can receive timely and appropriate care in the event of an emergency while at school.
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Are there any specific requirements regarding medications being brought to the school clinic for my child?
Yes, all medications must be from a U.S. pharmacy or distributed by a U.S. manufacturer/lab and be FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved. All medications must be brought to the school by the parent/guardian and be in its original container with a legible, intact label. All prescription medications must have a labeled container with student’s name and match the Request for Administration of Medication form. Expired medications will not be administered. Adhering to these requirements helps ensure the safety of medications administration while at school.
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What if my child has a change in medication, medication dosage or instruction for use?
It is the parent/guardian responsibility to inform the school nurse promptly of any medication changes to ensure your child receives proper care at school. If there is a change in medication, medication dosage or instruction for use, then an updated Request for Administration of Medication form will be required. Additionally, the prescription container label must match the updated medication form to avoid any discrepancies or errors in administration. Keeping the school nurse informed of any medication changes helps ensure the safety and well-being of your child at school.
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What happens if my child has a medical emergency while at school?
FCS priority is to provide the immediate care needed for your student, which may include calling Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for assistance. The school will notify the parent/guardian as soon as possible. FCS is equipped with automated external defibrillators (AED’s) and limited emergency medications to respond promptly and effectively to medical emergencies that may arise, prioritizing the health and safety of all students, staff, and visitors.
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My child is going on a field trip and requires medications (or needs to have emergency medications available), what should I do?
Communicate with the school nurse to ensure proper documentation is in place and arrange for medication to be brought to the school clinic (if medication is not already in place in the school clinic). Medications must be received by the school nurse three school days prior to the scheduled field trip as this ensures proper communication and instruction for administration while on the field trip. Students are only authorized to carry emergency medications with proper documentation. It is important to note that FCS cannot send its emergency supplies of epinephrine, albuterol sulfate or Narcan on field trips.
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When should I expect to provide updated immunization records for my child?
Once a student immunization form (GA 3231) is complete for enrollment, no further updates are required by Georgia state Law until the student enters seventh grade and again at age 16 years and entering the eleventh grade. Please see the Immunization Requirements section below for additional information.
Immunization Requirements
- Required Health Documentation for FCS Enrollment
- 7th Grade Immunization Requirements
- 11th Grade Immunization Requirements
Required Health Documentation for FCS Enrollment
No child shall be admitted to or attend any school in the Forsyth County Public School system unless the child shall first have submitted a certificate of immunization to school officials. An up-to-date Georgia 3231 Form is required for enrollment.
For students entering from out-of-state schools, please contact a Georgia Health Department or a Georgia-licensed physician to have immunizations transferred to the Georgia Certificate of Immunization. (Georgia 3231 Form).
There are two exceptions to this requirement for certified immunization:
- A child who has a physical disability for whom vaccination is medically undesirable provided that the local board of health or any physician licensed under the laws of this state or of any other state having comparable laws governing the licensing of physicians has certified in writing to the effect that the child's health precludes him/her from having the immunization until whatever physical disability he/she has is relieved. Medical Exemption must be documented on the Georgia 3231 Form.
- A child whose parent or legal guardian objects to immunization of the child on the grounds that the immunization conflicts with the religious beliefs of the parent or guardian. Immunization may be required in cases when the disease for which the immunization is required is in epidemic stages. Documentation must be on the Georgia 2208 Form and must be notarized.
Georgia State law O.C.G.A 20-2-771 (h) provides that violation of this provision is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 12 months.
An up-to-date Georgia 3231 Form includes the following:
1. Have the required doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP) and Hepatitis B.
2. If your child was born on or after July 1, 2006, he must have at least four doses of Polio (OPV and/or IPV). The final dose must be given on or after the fourth birthday and must be at least six months from the third dose.
3. Have two (2) doses of Mumps, Measles, and Rubella (MMR) or 2 doses of Measles vaccine, two (2) doses of Mumps vaccine, and one (1) dose of Rubella vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity against Measles, Mumps or Rubella. If a child is under 4, at least 1 dose is required.
4. If your child was born on or after January 1, 2006, he must have two (2) doses of Hepatitis A (Hep A) vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity. The first dose must be given on or after the first birthday with a spacing of six months or greater between doses.
5. Have two (2) doses of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity. If a child is under 4, at least 1 dose is required.
6. If your child is under five (5) years of age, he must have protection against pneumococcal disease. He will need the Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV). The number of doses needed will depend on the child’s age. Your child must have at least 3 doses of HIB.
7. If your child is entering 7th grade, he must receive one dose Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and one dose MCV (meningococcal conjugate vaccine).
8. If your child is 16 years of age or older, entering 11th grade (including new entrants) must receive one booster dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), unless their initial dose was administered on or after their 16th birthday.
Required Vision, Hearing, Dental and Nutrition Screening Documentation
No child beginning school for the first time or after having been absent from a Georgia school for more than twelve months or one school year, will be admitted to the Forsyth County Public School System unless the child has had a vision, hearing, dental, and nutrition examination (Georgia 3300 Form).
The child’s parent or legal guardian shall furnish the school system with a completed Georgia 3300 Form issued by a physician and dentist licensed by the State of Georgia or the health department acknowledging that the child has been examined.
7th Grade Immunization Requirements
ALL CHILDREN ENTERING 7TH GRADE ARE REQUIRED TO MEET THE FOLLOWING
Please note bullet #5 is a new requirement for 7th grade students
1. Have the required doses of Hepatitis B, Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis and Polio vaccines.
2. Have two (2) doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine OR documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity.
3. Have two (2) doses of Hepititis A vaccine OR documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity.
4. Have two (2) doses of Varicella vaccine OR documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity.
5. Have one (1) dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine and one (1) dose of MCV4 (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) for children born on or after 01/01/2002.
6. Contact your health care provider or Forsyth County Health Department to receive any needed immunizations and to obtain the Georgia Certificate of Immunization (GA 3231 Form) and provide an updated form to your child's school nurse.
Links:
11th Grade Immunization Requirements
ALL CHILDREN ENTERING 7TH GRADE ARE REQUIRED TO MEET THE FOLLOWING
Please note bullet #6 is a new requirement for 11th grade students
1. Have the required doses of Hepatitis B, Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis and Polio vaccines.
2. Have two (2) doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine OR documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity.
3. Have two (2) doses of Hepititis A vaccine OR documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity.
4. Have two (2) doses of Varicella vaccine OR documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity.
5. Have one (1) dose of Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine and one (1) dose of MCV4 (meningococcal conjugate vaccine).
6. Have one (1) booster dose of MCV4 (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) for children who are 16 years of age and entering 11th grade.
7. Contact your health care provider or Forsyth County Health Department to receive any needed immunizations and to obtain the Georgia Certificate of Immunization (GA 3231 Form) and provide an updated form to your child's school nurse.
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