Vision

Health services screens distance vision on all grade one, three, five,  seven students, and all new students to the district. It includes: an external inspection, a cover test and corneal reflex test, visual acuity and for boys in first grade a color vision screening. The screening is not a complete eye exam and does not diagnosis eye conditions. If the student cannot see at 20/40 in either eye, they will be given a written referral suggesting further private medical provider evaluation.

Through age 12, approximately 80 percent of learning is done visually. Research indicates that one out of four children have vision problems that interfere with their learning. 

Hearing

Hearing screenings are done on all kindergarten as well as grade one, three, five students, and new students to the district. Parents/guardians will be notified of any abnormal findings.

Child and teen checkup

The child and teen checkup program is a health care benefit for all children, teens and young adults, under the age of 20 who are covered by medical assistance or Minnesota Care. These medical exams assess mental/emotional health, hearing and vision, a head-to-toe physical exam, lab tests, health education and guidance at no cost (to eligible children).

Anoka and Hennepin County programs also assist with finding medical or dental clinics, making clinic appointments and arranging transportation or interpreter services. For further information or assistance contact the child and teen checkups program contact Anoka County at 763-422-6932 or Hennepin County at 612-348-5904. More information can be found in their brochure.

Questions?

If you have questions about your student's screenings please contact your school's health services. Screenings are not intended to be a substitute for well child checkups with your medical provider.

New vaccine requirement for all 12th graders in 2021-22 school year

There is a new state requirement for all 12th grade students to have proof of a second meningococcal vaccine at the start of 2021-2022 school year. Please talk to your medical provider now to provide that documentation before that. The immunization documentation form is linked below.  You do have the option to medically exempt or object to vaccination. Use the link below to learn more. Please call your student's health service office if you have questions.

Immunizations for students 

All students must comply with state law with regards to immunizations. Exclusion from school will occur if immunizations, medical exemption or objection requirements are not met. Learn more from the Minnesota Department of Health's immunization law for children 16 and under.

Within 30 days of enrolling in Anoka-Hennepin schools, health services will require verification of age appropriate immunization for:

• Hepatitis B (HBV) before age four. 
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) before age four.
• Meningococcal after age 10 and starting in 2021/2022 a booster before 12th grade. 
• Polio (IPV or OPV) before age four.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (DTP/TD) before age four. A booster is required after seven years of age.
• Varicella or proof of chickenpox before age four. 

Please provide details of your student's immunizations by filling out the immunization documentation form.

For immunization schedules and clinic locations check with Anoka County or Hennepin County.

Please note that county immunization clinics are currently not occuring due to COVID-19.

Prescription medications

If it's necessary for prescription medication to be given during the school day, please send with your child:

• A note from a parent or legal guardian.
• The prescription or original bottle with the student's name, medication name, directions for use and dosage, doctor's name, and phone number of the pharmacy.
• A permission slip signed by the physician.

All prescriptions must be kept with health services. Exceptions may be made for emergency prescriptions such as asthma, allergy and diabetes. These medications would require a school nurse assessment of the student's skills to self administer, as well as parent and doctor written permission. Forms are available on this page and in school health service offices.

Non-prescription medications

A small supply of non-prescription medication can be kept in school health service offices with a parent/guardian permission form. If the over-the-counter medicine is used on a routine basis health service staff will request a medical providers order. High school students are permitted to carry a maximum of two doses of over-the-counter medication for self-administration to relieve symptoms of minor pain, cramps, indigestion and headache. This policy does not allow high school students to carry stimulants used to stay awake such as NoDoze, Vivarin, Ephedrine and Caffeine.

Dietary supplements 

Health services does not administer any "dietary supplements," herbal products or any products not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Forms

The following forms are in MS Word: 

• Physician's Authorization for Medical Procedure (MS Word)
• Request for Administration of Medications During the School Day (MS Word)
• Request for Administration of Medications During the School Day (PDF)

If a student has a medical concern that limits their participation from a physical education (phy. ed.) class, a note from a parent/guardian must be brought to health services before the school day begins. Health services personnel will be able to issue a modification or excuse for a maximum of three days. If a longer modification is needed, a physicians note will be required with specifics on the length of the limitation.

When should my child stay home from school?

Many students and parents are frequently concerned about when students should stay home or attend school. The following information is intended to help with this decision.

General practice:

• If a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student must stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without fever reducing medication.
• If a student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student must stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
• If a student has had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your family physician before sending the student to school.
• If a student is ill, please call the school daily to report the illness.

If you are concerned about other diseases, please go to the document below:
Is My Child Well Enough

According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased approximately 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. The number of people who have a food allergy is growing, but there is no clear answer as to why. Prevention of allergen exposure is our primary goal. Anaphylaxis is a sudden, sever, allergic reaction to a drug, foreign substance, toxin, insect sting, food, or animal serum. A reaction may be delayed as much as four hours after exposure and reoccur up to 24 hours later.

• Diet Accomodation
• Epi pen use 
• Food allergy facts 
• Guidelines
  
  

Anoka Hennepin following state law has opiate antagonists avialable in all AED/CPR cabinets. 

For information on the concern and directions on use click here

A staggering one in 26 people have the seizure disorder known as epilepsy. Every Anoka-Hennepin school has students who have had seizures. Some of these students school staff know about, while others cope in secret with the support of their families. Many times, students who have seizures are concerned about isolation, low self esteem and a lower academic achievement.

In 2014 Anoka-Hennepin became the first "Seizure Smart" school district in the nation. The ongoing goal is to provide resources and support to help students with seizures. The Anoka-Hennepin School District partners with the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota to carry out their mission of helping those affected by epilepsy.

View the Life to the Max article regarding students with seizures.  

On this page, you'll find a number of epilepsy-related documents and resources to help your student and family. As always, if you have questions or concerns about your student and seizures, contact the school nurse at your student's school. Below is a video that shares what to do if you see a person having a seizure. 

• Minnesota Epilepsy Foundation
• Seizure action plan 
• Seizure recognition chart
  
  

If for medical reasons your student is unable to attend school and unable to leave home other than for medical appointments for more than 15 days or unable to ride on a regular school bus, Anoka-Hennepin offers special arrangements with alternative education and  busing. Please contact the school nurse if this becomes necessary for your student. Your private physician’s documentation of need is required to consider these services.