Health Services

Food Allergy Guidelines

We recognize that some children have severe food allergies and/or dietary needs that require special conditions.  It is our goal and responsibility to maintain a safe environment for all students during the school day.  The most effective way to accommodate a wide variety of food allergies is to implement grade-specific guidelines that recognize developmental awareness of our elementary ages students.  Kindergarten requires the most managed and restricted environment.  As our students mature, encourage them to take more responsibility for their food allergies and dietary needs.  

It is important to note that each school is an open campus during after school hours, weekends, and holidays.  As a result, we cannot guarantee that our students may not be exposed to nuts or other food residue left on the school grounds.  We strongly encourage parents to prepare for the possibility of exposure when their children are at school.

RUSD families are encouraged to share in the responsibility of educating their child(ren) about food allergies and recommended safety precautions, including frequent hand washing, hand wipes, and/or use of individual lunch mats, etc. Due to the viscosity and unique nature of nut products, RUSD has implemented specific safety measures to meet the needs of students with nut allergies. 

Kindergarten-Fifth Grades: Nut Restricted classroom and lunch table(s)

• Classrooms will be designated as nut-restricted as needed to accommodate allergies.
• All students will sit at lunch tables with their homeroom class. 
• Specific lunch tables will be designated as Nut Restricted to accommodate allergies.
• ​Students are not allowed to share food with one another.

Illness/Injuries/Emergencies

Working parents should arrange for a nearby adult to be available to pick up their ill or injured child if necessary. Please indicate this person on your emergency card.  It is very important that we have local people to contact. 

Health Accommodations

The school office must be informed of any changes in student health such as a recent diagnosis, concussion, sprain, or broken limb. Parents must provide a written doctor’s note for any requests for accommodations in order for your child to return to school. A doctor’s note is also needed for an extended absence. 

When to Miss School

Please follow our guidelines in keeping your child home from school to prevent the spread of illness to our students and staff throughout the year. Please call our absentee line to report illness/absences.​

Medication Policy

If your child requires medication at school, please follow our medication policy.  All medications, including prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, require an Authorization to Administer Medication form to be completed and signed by both a parent and a Physician in order for our school staff to administer the medication during the school day.  All medications must be kept in the office, not in your child’s backpack or pocket (with the exception of some emergency medications, e.g. EpiPens, inhalers). Parents must supply all needed prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Please make sure medications on campus have not expired. 

Head Lice Policy

Parents must inform the school office if their child has head lice so that families can be alerted to possible exposure and the need to inspect their children’s hair.  Students with lice or nits may not attend school. Once treated, students may be rechecked weekly for up to six weeks. If appropriate, school staff may periodically check entire classrooms for head lice. Please refer to RUSD Board Policy 5141.33 and our district webpage for more information on head lice, treatment, and prevention.

Communicable Diseases

Parents must inform the school office if their child has a communicable illness, such as strep throat, pink eye, chicken pox, etc. so that families can be informed of possible exposure, and the school can take any necessary precaution to prevent any further transmission. 

Crutches, Casts, and Wheelchairs

Schools will accommodate all necessary student supports as long as there is a doctor's note verifying their need. Please note that for safety issues, students who require crutches cannot be on the play yards, blacktops, or fields during recess. Students will be provided with a quiet space before school and during recess to avoid additional injury.