Health Guidelines

  • Illness at School and When to Keep Your Child At Home

    School nurses play a critical role in maintaining the health and safety of schools. West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) collaborates with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Polk County Public Health Department (PCHD), and local health care professionals to provide guidelines that identify when it is safe for children to attend school.  

     

  • General Illness Guidelines

  • COVID-19 Guidelines

  • Communicating About Illness

  • Medications

    If it is necessary for your child to take medication at school, please observe the medication process in effect for the West Des Moines Community Schools.

    • If your child needs to take a medication at school, please contact your school nurse to set up an appointment time to bring in the medication and fill out the medication administration form. Printable versions of the daily, as-needed (PRN), and asthma medication forms can be found on our Health Forms web page.
    • All asthma medications are recommended to be administered via metered-dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler when available.  A current prescription is required to be on file, per the WDMCS medication policy and a holding chamber/spacer is recommended for students.  To reduce the spread of respiratory droplets/aerosols, nebulizer will be used minimally during the school day.  The school nurse will work individually with students and families to accommodate children with medical conditions that may require nebulizers during the school day.  
    • The Health Office must have a written daily or as-needed authorization form from the parent/guardian. Please include the student’s name, name of medication, amount to be given, time of medication is to be given, reason for the medication, and parent/guardian signature.
    • The medication must be in the original current container (NO plastic bags or envelopes with loose pills).
    • All medications (prescription and over the counter) must be kept in the Health Office at all times. A student must have an Authorization to Self-Administer Asthma or Epinephrine auto-injection medication on file and it requires a healthcare provider's signature. 

Health Fact Sheets

  • Student Insurance

    Parents and/or guardians are responsible for their children’s medical costs even if the child is injured while at school. The school does not carry individual accident insurance on students. The state of Iowa provides health insurance for uninsured children.

    Learn more about Hawki Insurance

Last Modified on August 7, 2023