Hutchinson Public and Parochial Health Services
Health Services Staff
Antonia Barrick, RN, BSN,LSN, PHN, LSN
Assistant Director of Health Services,
320-234-2731
Health Services Staff
High School
Samantha Bernardy, RN
320-234-2732
Email Samantha
Middle School
Sarah Harbarth, RN
320-234-2733
Email Sarah
Park Elementary
Marysa Anderson, LPN
320-234-2734
Email Marysa
Tiger & West Elementary
Faith Kanne, RN
320-234-2736
Email Faith
Jamie Kaping
320-234-2735
Email Jamie
Mission
To provide comprehensive health services to students and staff of ISD#423 that include, but are not limited to, health screenings, immunizations, individual assessments and plans of care for physical, emotional, and social health, health education and collaboration and referral to other services.
Vision
To meet and anticipate the health related needs of all students in a comprehensive, effective, efficient manner using evidenced based, best school nurse practice and in so doing, improve the education potential of all students.
Mental Health Support Services
- Hutchinson Health Helpline: 320-484-4585
- Hutchinson Health Mental Health Website
- McLeod County Mental Health Crisis Response: 320-864-2713
- A crisis clinician is available to talk/consult 24/7
- McLeod County Family Resource Guide [PDF]
Related Resources/MN Health Care Links
Wellness
In the spring of 2006, Hutchinson Schools formed a Wellness committee that included administration, staff, students, parents, and community support persons. Our goal was to develop a plan for encouraging wellness in students and staff members. The committee looked at current practices within our district and then focused on ideas to make our district healthier.
Currently our efforts are focused on:
Students – Reviewing beverage choices offered within the school building and looking for non-carbonated, no caffeine choices. Offering only foods that meet USDA guidelines. Reduce the use of food as rewards. Encourage physical activity. All third graders receive a health education lesson on nutrition and physical activity by the district nurse.
Staff – Encourage the modeling of healthy behaviors including food and beverage choice. Encourage healthy living choices by having wellness activities geared toward staff including health promotional activities such as routine preventative health care.
Care Plans
Emergency care plans are developed for students with chronic health care conditions with parents and health care providers. Emergency care plans establish a plan of care in order to manage and/or respond to health conditions and health events. Care plans must be updated annually prior to the start of school by a physician and signed by parents and physician.
If your child has a medical condition that we do not know about please inform us so we can review if we need anything in place at school regarding your child’s care.
If your child has a food intolerance or life threatening food concerns (epi-pen) please have your physician complete the Special Diet Statement, found below. Review the form, sign, and send to your child’s school nurse.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
Philips Heartstart Defibrillators
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are used in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. AEDs deliver a shock to resume the natural beating of the heart. In the event that the heart is beating or beating in a rhythm that is not able to be shocked, the AED is programed not to deliver a shock, which makes it safe for use in the general public.
Hutchinson Schools is fortunate to have 12 AEDs within the district.
Their locations are:
High School
- near the auditorium
- near the athletic training room
- outside by the football field
Middle School
- near the office
- near the gym
Park Elementary
- near the office
- near the science rooms
Tiger Elementar
- by room 146 (2nd grade pod)
- by room 246 (3rd grade Pod)
- west wall of commons area
West Elementary
- near the office
- preschool hallway
Funding for our AEDs was provided by Hutchinson Foundation for Healthcare, Stearns Family Foundation, Hutchinson Medical Center, 3M, Hutchinson Technology, Wells Fargo, and the Hutchinson School District and Parent, Teacher Organization.
Immunizations
Immunizations are required by Minnesota state law for all students attending school. Immunization records are kept in the student’s health file. No student is required to have an immunization which is contrary to the conscientiously held beliefs of his/her parent or guardian.
To receive this exemption, a parent or legal guardian must complete, sign and have notarized a conscientious objection form. These forms are available from the nurse’s office or by clicking on the link below.
Illness Guidelines
| Symptoms | When Student Can Return |
|---|---|
| Fever- Temperature of 100 F (37.7C or higher) | Can return after 24 hours fever free without use of fever reducing medication, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) |
| Vomiting or extreme nausea in last 24 hours | Can return free of vomiting for 24 hours and a normal diet can be tolerated before returning to school without use of anti-nausea/vomiting medication |
| Diarrhea in last 24 hours | Can return free of diarrhea for 24 hours and a normal diet can be tolerated before returning to school without use of anti-diarrheal medication |
| Eye infection/Pink eye/Conjunctivitis | No exclusion unless the child has a fever or is not healthy enough to |
| Rash (undiagnosed) | Can return with a doctor’s note permitting attendance at school and any restrictions/recommendations they discuss for school |
| Respiratory illness – congestion, runny nose, shortness of breath, coughing, etc. | Can return when symptoms are getting better and you are fever free without fever reducing medications, take precautions for next 5 days |
| Sore throat/strep throat (fever with swollen glands, difficulty swallowing/eating food, upset stomach or headache) | Can return to school when fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication, if diagnosed with strep – need to be on antibiotics for 12-24 hours (per provider guidelines) and be fever free for 24 hours prior to returning to school |
| Diagnosed with infectious disease (ex. Impetigo, chicken pox, mononucleosis – mono, strep, etc.) | Can return when fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication and following provider guidelines, please call our health office staff and discuss diagnosis so we can follow guidelines on exclusion from school time frames as this depends on the diagnosis and incubation period |
| Hospital stay/emergency room visit | Discharge paperwork/doctor note permitting attendance at school may be required, that includes any special instructions or restrictions for the student with beginning and end dates noted (examples include: fracture, injuries, surgical procedures, illness, etc.) |
| Just not feeling well (run down, lethargic, not eating/sleeping well, pale, etc.) | Can return when student has return to normal behavior activities |
Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases occur nearly every day in our school district. For basic information on diseases and information on when you should keep your child at home or when it is safe to send them to school, click on the links below.
Information is sent out to families regarding infectious diseases/communicable diseases following guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health per specific guidelines.
Medication and School
The school health office does not stock any over-the-counter medications for children to use. If you need to have your child take an over-the-counter medication at school, please contact the school health office for appropriate paperwork. The medication must be delivered to the school by a parent or trusted adult, in the original container.
Some children do take prescription medications at school. Please contact the school health office for appropriate paperwork. As with over-the-counter medications, the medication must be delivered to school by a parent or trusted adult, and it must be in the original container.
Prescription Medications
- The medication permission form is part of the care plan and must be signed by the parent and physician.
- Medication form must be renewed annually.
- Medication container must be labeled by the pharmacy with the medication name, dose and physician’s name.
- Medication are to be brought to the health services office by a parent or responsible adult.
- Children are not able to transport medications to and or from school.
Over-the-Counter Medications
- Nonprescription medications are to come to school in the original unopened container.
- Sample sizes are recommended.
- Nonprescription medications sent to school in a plastic bag and/or mixed with other medications will be returned.
- Nonprescription medications can only be given according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Inappropriate age or dose will not be given without a physician’s order.
- Parent must complete the nonprescription medication form with the name of the medication, dosage requirements, and student’s name.
- The health service office does not stock or dispense any nonprescription medications that have not come from home with appropriate documentation.
Head Lice
Head lice are a normal part of childhood. Surveys report 1 in 10 school aged children have had lice at any one time. The school does NOT send home letters if a student in your class has lice and random head checks are NOT performed at school. Your school nurse will check your child if a staff member or yourself would suspect lice and parents/guardians will be notified.
If your child gets Head Lice don’t be discouraged we are here to support you. Here are some videos to help in the process.
Please contact your health office if you have any questions.
Checking your child weekly can aid in early detection and treatment as lice go through a short life cycle and reproduce quickly. Proper treatment can take up to 2 weeks to complete.
