Student Health Services

Credentialed School Nurses

District Nurses: District Nurses are specialized in ensuring students with health conditions have their health needs met, while also promoting equitable access to learning. District Nurses collaborate with healthcare providers to create Individualized Health Plans, 504s, and IEPs for students with health needs. District Nurses also provide information and training to unlicensed school staff members as appropriate to ensure the health and safety of students.

• Yaya Alimi, BSN, RN 
• Sarah Brown, RN, CSN
• Megan Bustle, MPH, RN, PHN 
• Stephania Higdon, MSN, RN, PHN  

Site Nurses

Site Nurses: School site nurses implement the plan that is created by the District Nurse. School site nurses also manage medications and provide daily care/first aid in health offices.

• Cheryl Apodaca, LVN: Garden Gate, Lincoln, Montclaire, Stevens Creek
• Caroline D'Souza, LVN: Blue Hills, Hyde, Murdock-Portal
• Shyno George, LVN: Lawson, Muir, Stocklmeir
• Julie Low, RN: Kennedy, McAuliffe, Sedgwick
• Margaret Torcuato, LVN: Cupertino, Nimitz, West Valley
• Suja Varughese, LVN: Miller, Dilworth, Eaton, Faria
• TBD, Collins, De Vargas, Eisenhower

Health Clerks

Health Clerks: Health Clerks are our organizational superstars, gathering and organizing data regarding immunizations, health screenings, and student health conditions that require the attention of the Nurses. Health Clerks can be contacted at healthclerks@cusdk8.org

• Regina Chestnut, Clerical Sub: Collins, De Vargas, Dilworth, Eaton, Eisenhower, Faria, Garden Gate, Lincoln, Montclaire
• Guadalupe De Almanza: Cupertino, Kennedy, Lawson, Nimitz, Stevens Creek, Stocklmeir, West Valley
• Rachel Wu: Hyde, Miller, McAuliffe, Blue Hills, Murdock-Portal, Sedgwick, YCC-John Muir

It is important that our students follow good health practices at all times and remain home when they are ill. 

A child may not be in school when he or she is ill and experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

1. Nausea or vomiting 
   • Students may not return to school until symptom-free without medication for at least 24 hours. 
2. Diarrhea 
   • Students may not return to school until symptom-free without medication for at least 24 hours. *Note: Diarrhea is considered two or more loose stools in one day.
3. A temperature of 100 degrees F (38 C) or higher  
   • Students may not return to school until fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours. 
4. Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
5. Severe headache
6. Continuous coughing or runny nose
7. Evidence of communicable disease 
   • This evidence could include but is not limited to a rash, swelling unrelated to an injury, or an unusually sore throat.
8. Undiagnosed rash 
   • Rashes must be verified as non-contagious by a physician or nurse practitioner before the child may return to school. A note must be provided.

*The school nurse may clear a student with known chronic illnesses (asthma, allergies, migraines, etc.)

If a student is sent home from school for feeling ill, the child may not return to school that day. A doctor’s note for absences over (7) days is required (CUSD Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5113).

Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep all children and staff healthy.

If your student needs medication while at school, please note the following:

• Instructions for Medications in School
• Schools do not supply any medication to students, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as Benadryl, Tylenol, etc. Medications must be supplied by the student's parent or legal guardian.
• Each medication, whether prescription or OTC, should be accompanied by a signed doctor's order (see student medication authorization form)
• Each prescription medication should have a pharmacy label and all medications should be in the original box/container. The label should match the doctor's order.
• The Student Medication Authorization Form must be completed, front and back, and signed by both the physician and the student's parent or legal guardian. EACH prescribed and/or OTC medication must be listed on the Authorization Form.
• For anaphylactic allergy medications, including EpiPens, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Action Plan protocol must be completed.
• All forms and medication need to be placed in a gallon-size Ziplock bag and labeled with the student's name and grade on the outside.
• Please remember to check the medication periodically to make sure that it does not expire during the school year. Expired medications will be discarded.
• Students may self-carry and self-administer their own emergency medications, which includes Epi-Pen, Rescue Inhaler, and Insulin only. For students who will self-carry these medications, their medical provider must deem them competent to do so, and the Self-Administration Form must be completed and signed by both the student's healthcare provider and a parent or legal guardian. The School Nurse reserves the right to contact the prescribing healthcare provider if a student's competency regarding self-administration of their medications is questionable.
• All medication orders for the following school year must be dated after the end of the current school year.

See Asthma Action Plan.

Rules for Assisted Devices at School

1. Specific orders are needed from your healthcare provider to use assistive devices, and they must be provided by the student’s family. The school district does not provide assistive devices.

2. Students may attend school using assistive devices, but must have been taught proper use of the device(s) before returning to school. This information may be included in the doctor’s note.

3. School Nurses do not teach students how to use assistive devices, but may observe the student to determine that they can safely navigate the school grounds.

4. It is unsafe to use assistive devices on stairways. Please discuss with administration if this is an issue at your student’s school site.

5. Students who cannot do all of the above, will be sent home until such time as they are properly trained to perform these skills.

6. Students must be able to be responsible for not participating in restricted activities during recess and throughout the school day. Optional activities include bringing a book to read during recess. If a student cannot be responsible for not participating while out on the playground, other arrangements must be discussed with the site administrator.

7. For the safety of all of the students, the above practices will be followed by all CUSD schools regardless of grade level.

8. A note from a medical provider must be submitted to the school to clear the student for participation in physical activities once the assistive device(s) are no longer needed.

9. Should the student require activity restrictions after they are no longer in need of assistive devices, parents must submit a Physical Activity Recommendation form from their child’s healthcare provider. Alternatively, a comparable doctor’s note will suffice.

Cast/Ankle Brace/Special Boot 1. Please provide a doctor’s note that specifies the device that the student needs to wear and for how long. 2. Please have the doctor’s note specify any limitations, restrictions, or accommodations for the student while at school, including for PE.	Crutches 1. Specific orders are needed from your healthcare provider regarding the use of crutches. 2. Students may attend school using crutches but must have been taught proper crutch walking before returning to school. This information may be included in the doctor’s note.
Wheelchair 1. Please provide the school office with a doctor’s note specifying the need for a wheelchair and for how long. 2. The wheelchair must have brakes & a seatbelt. 3. Please give us advance notice if possible regarding the use of a wheelchair at school.	Scooter 1. Please provide the school office with a doctor’s note specifying the need for a scooter and for how long.  2. Students may attend school using a scooter, but must have been taught proper use of the scooter before returning to school. This information may be included in the doctor’s note.