Health Services

Welcome to Da Vinci Schools' Health Information!

Da Vinci Schools has three health services team members available to serve our students. Nurses plan and monitor the care of students with health concerns, develop and implement individual health care plans, assess students in Special Education and make recommendations for school-based health support, conduct mandated screenings, and provide health-related professional development and training to Da Vinci staff. Partnering with families and school staff to ensure student success is a top priority!

New Student forms

All Students

TK/Kindergarten Students

  • Oral Health Exam Form- required for TK/Kindergarten admissions
  • Report of Health Examination for School Entry - required for TK/Kindergarten and 1st grade admissions. The State of California has a law requiring health examinations for children entering first grade. The health examination can occur 18 months prior to or 90 days after starting the 1st grade
    • The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) through the Child Health and Disability Program (CHDP) has a no-cost health exam program available for eligible children.
    • More information may be found at: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov

Students with individualized school-based health care needs should contact school nurse, Dr. Emily Green, RN, PhD at  egreen@davincischools.org.

First Aid and Illness at School

First Aid is given in school health offices as needed for incidents that happen at school. High school health offices are available to all students. An elementary health office is coming soon! Health incidents are handled by trained office managers and the school nurse.

If a student is ill or if an accident occurs at school students are to notify a teacher or school employee. The school gives first aid only to injuries occurring at school. School personnel are not authorized to treat any serious illness or injury, or to give any internal first aide medication. Should the student require further care, parent or guardian will be contacted to pick up their child. Please ensure that your contact information is kept current. Students must be signed out through the school office.

If care beyond immediate first aid is needed for school injuries or illness, we will contact the paramedics and abide by their recommendations. Parents will be contacted immediately.

If a student has been ill they must stay at home until they have not had a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting for 24 hours. Student must be fever free for 24 hours without medication.

A student with an unknown rash or reddened eye (a sign of “pink eye”) will be sent home. Student must be symptom free and/or have a physician’s note stating that they are non-contagious in order to return to school.

A physician’s note with instructions for school is required for students who return:

  1. with school based medication (including inhaler, epi pen, or pain medication)
  2. after serious illness for 3 or more days
  3. after surgery
  4. after hospitalizations (mental and physical)
  5. with restrictions from class participation
  6. requiring any assistance prescribed by a physician to help with student mobility (e.g., crutches, cast, wheelchair, elevator splint, bandage, etc.)
Immunization Information

Immunizations for every student are monitored and are required to be in compliance with the laws and regulations of the state of California. Information can be found at www.shotsforschool.org.

immunizations

Immunization Requirements (English)

Immunization Requirement (Spanish)

If you need to make a physician appointment with your doctor, please note, many offices accept walk in vaccine appointments, many CVS or other pharmacies also provide vaccines, or see below a list of free and low cost walk in County clinics.

LA DPH clinics http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/chs/phcenters.htm
A list of free and low-cost clinics
Interactive county map to locate free and low cost vaccine clinics
Parents Guide to Recommended & Required Vaccinations

For those requiring a medical exemption, the only accepted format for schools is a medical exemptions for school and child care entry issued through CAIR-ME. Parents and physicians can register and create an account in CAIR-ME at any time. Once registered, parents can log in to CAIR-ME to request a medical exemption. Parents take the exemption request number to their child’s physician who can log in to CAIR-ME to issue the exemption. Once the exemption is issued, the physician prints the two page form and provides a copy to the parents to give to their child’s school.

Instructions to Request a Medical Exemption | Spanish

For more information please see: https://www.shotsforschool.org/laws/exemptions/

Medication at School

Medications (prescription medication or over-the-counter) needed during school day require a physician signed Medical Authorization Form. This will need to be completed before your child will be allowed to have medication at school.

No over-the-counter medications are kept at school (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl, etc), students are encouraged to take these medications at home whenever possible. Students are not to bring aspirin, cough drops, cough syrups, vitamins, or other over-the-counter medications to school. These may constitute a health hazard to other students.

All medications must come to school in the original container. Prescription medications must come to school in the pharmacy bottle with the attached prescription label.

Medications are kept in a locked cabinet in the Health Office.

With parent and physician authorization, students may be allowed to carry life-saving medications (Epi-pen, inhalers) or OTC medication (Tylenol, Advil) to self-treat as needed.

Students found to be carrying any medications- prescription, non-prescription, or recreational- without proper authorization will be subject to disciplinary action.

Health Conditions Managed at School

Asthma

At Da Vinci Schools, we have students who are diagnosed with Asthma. We follow a standardized protocol to ensure the proper care is provided to our students. Students who have uncontrolled asthma or additional health concerns or needs are requested to provide an Asthma Action Plan completed by the student’s primary care provider to follow at school.

Students with fast acting inhalers may carry them throughout the school day as long as their physician has signed the Medication Authorization form indicating they are independent with self-administration. All other students will have their inhalers kept in the health office, in a locked cabinet, and will be monitored/assisted when they use them.

Please have physician complete the below form must be completed to keep inhaler at school (in backpack or in Health Office).

Medication Authorization Form

Diabetes

Students with Diabetes will have an individualized health treatment plan created based upon their doctor’s orders.

Please submit a current set of School Diabetes Orders that will outline school care for one calendar year. There is no Da Vinci form, as every physician has their own set of orders.

A daily schedule will be set up for checking blood sugar and administering insulin. Office staff will monitor blood sugar levels and communicate student needs/concerns to district nurse and/or parents. The district nurse, designated staff or student will administer insulin per medical orders. Parents and staff will have fluid communication regarding the students’ diabetes management throughout the school day as needed.

Diabetes testing equipment, and insulin must be provided by the family and equipment must be well maintained. Glucose tabs, Glucagon, juice, and other treatments for low blood sugar are provided by the family as well and are kept in the health office.

Students who are independent with their diabetes management must have a doctor’s order indicating such. Parents are responsible for providing back up equipment/treatments to keep in the health office. Emergency orders must be provided by physician.

Type 1 Diabetes information:
Diabetes Type 1 Informational Letter

Type 2 Diabetes information:
Diabetes Type 2 Informational Letter

Seizures

Students who have an active seizure disorder will have their physician complete a Seizure Action Plan. The school nurse also needs to be informed of all students who have a history of seizures.

For students who have Diastat prescribed, the Request for Medication Authorization form will need to be completed by the doctor and parent.

We follow a standardized seizure treatment protocol in the event any student has a seizure at school.

Individual Health Plan

For individualized management of health conditions, you may be asked to complete the below form together with your child’s primary health care provider to ensure proper management of a health condition at school.

Individual Health Plan

Head Injury/ Concussion

Students who sustain a head injury while at school will be assessed for signs and symptoms of a concussion. Students will be monitored in the office and parents will be notified. A letter will be sent home with information about signs and symptoms to monitor for.

The following signs may be observed by school staff or parents:

  • Appears dazed or stunned
  • Is confused about events
  • Answers questions slowly
  • Repeats questions
  • Can’t recall events prior to the hit, bump, or fall
  • Loses consciousness
  • Shows behavior or personality changes
  • Forgets class schedule or assignments

Students may report the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating
  • Difficulty remembering
  • Feeling sluggish, tired, fatigued
  • Feeling hazy, foggy, or groggy
  • Complaining of headache or “pressure” in head
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • Blurry or double vision
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Numbness of tingling
  • Does not “feel right”
  • Is emotional, irritable, nervous, or sad
  • Feeling sleepy, drowsy, sleeps more than usual
  • Having trouble falling asleep or sleeping less than usual

Parents will be notified of all known head injuries.

If staff suspects the child to have any of the above signs/symptoms, the parent/guardian will be contacted and arrangements will be made for the student to go home. Medical follow-up is advised.

*If a concussion is diagnosed by the physician, a letter from the physician with instructions for returning to school will need to be submitted. Students may have activity restrictions that teachers and staff will need to be aware of.

CCSA Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents

Allergy Information

Anaphylaxis is a rapid, severe allergic response triggered by insect stings, foods, medications, latex materials, or in rare cases by unknown causes. This is a life-threatening allergic condition, requiring immediate treatment. Administering the medication epinephrine to students during a medical emergency may help to insure the student’s health and safety at school. The epinephrine auto-injector rapidly delivers a pre-measured, sterile, single dose of epinephrine by direct injection through the skin.

School districts now stock epinephrine autoinjectors (“EpiPens”) and trained personnel who have volunteered to be trained and administer them are able to assist a student who is suffering, or reasonably believed to be suffering from an anaphylactic reaction by administering this life saving medication.

Da Vinci Schools stock Epipens at each site and trained personnel are located at every front office.

Stock Epipens are intended for emergencies for those students and staff with unknown allergies or experiencing a first time exposure.

If your student has a known allergy requiring Benadryl, an Epinephrine pen, or other allergy medication, you will need to provide the school with the medication along with a medication form completed by their physician. Medication can be kept in front office, or kept with student, if authorized by physician and parent on their medication form.

**Please note: School stock Epinephrine pens do not accompany students on any field trips.

For students with life-threatening allergies, Da Vinci Schools will take all appropriate and reasonable steps to minimize exposure and provide a safe, positive educational environment. Please note, we are not a nut-free organization and students should be aware that there may be allergens in their environment. Nut-free tables for meal times are labeled and available to students at all sites.

Food Allergy Action Plan This form is completed and signed by the student's health care provider and parents. This is the plan of care school staff will follow in the event of an allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis Health Plan (non-food) For non-food life threatening allergies, this form is completed and signed by the student's health care provider and parents.  This is the plan of care school staff will follow in the event of an allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis Treatment: Annual Notification to Parents 

La Anafilaxia Tratamiento: Notificaión Anual a Los Padres

Request for Medication Authorization Form

Flu Information

For more information see FLU INFORMATION

Insurance

These links have instructions of how to access Medi-Cal and Covered California by phone or email. [English version Spanish version]

Covered California offers free, local, in-person enrollment help, online chat, and telephone assistance in thirteen languages as well as for the hearing-impaired. If you call or email there will be someone to help you understand what is available to you and your family and help you through the process of registration.

As you are aware, a child’s health is critical to their academic success. In addition, research has shown that children with health coverage are less likely to be absent from school due to illness and are more prepared to attend school ready-to-learn.

If you have any questions related to the above information, please contact the district nurse Emily Green at egreen@davincischools.org.

Screenings

Vision and hearing screenings are conducted in compliance with California Education Code. They are done in kindergarten, 2nd grade, 5th grade, and 8th grade or by teacher or student self-referral. Parents are notified by letter only when their student did not pass the screening.

Lice

Head lice are a nuisance, however, does not transmit disease to humans. Historically, head lice policies in schools emphasized that a child infested with head lice could not return to school until no nits were found in their hair (“no-nit” policy). There is no evidence that a no-nit policy prevents or shortens lengths of outbreaks. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of School Nurses, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are all opponents of no-nit policies. Therefore, the California Department of Public Health recommends a “no-lice policy.”

Da Vinci Schools has adopted this “no-lice policy.” The essential components of this policy are:

  • Early detection of head lice infestations through routine screenings by parents and/or caregivers
  • Treatment of children found to have active/live lice
  • Distribution of educational material to school staff and parents on head lice, nit combing, and treatment

DETECTION-Parents are primarily responsible for detecting head lice. Symptoms include excessive itching of the scalp and/or frequent scratching. If head lice are detected at school, the parents will be notified and the child will stay in school until the end of the day. Parents will be given information on how to treat head lice.

TREATMENT-Student should be treated for head lice that day and can return to school the next morning. Before going to class, the student will first need to be examined by the school nurse or office staff to ensure there they no longer have active/live head lice. The student can return to class if no live lice are seen.

For more information:

HeadLice CDPH School Guidance

A Parent’s Guide to Head Lice

Tuberculosis (Mantoux PPD)

School volunteers who have “frequent or prolonged” contact wih students must submit an Adult-Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Questionnaire to the Front Office at their child’s school, or have a TB skin test performed by their medical provider every 4 years and submit the results to the Office at their child’s school.

Staff must submit an Adult-Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Questionnaire (or have a TB skin test performed) every 4 years. Staff may go to their health care provider or contact the District School Nurse for completion of the form.

More information may be found at California Department of Public Health.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when the heart stops beating, suddenly and unexpectedly.  When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs.  SCA is not a heart attack; it is a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system, causing the victim to collapse.  The malfunction is caused by a congenital or genetic defect in the heart’s structure.  SCA is more likely to occur during exercise or sports activity, so athletes are at greater risk. These symptoms can be unclear and confusing in athletes. Often, people confuse these warning signs with physical exhaustion. If not properly treated within minutes, SCA is fatal in 92 percent of cases.

In a school district, charter school, or private school that elects to conduct athletic activities, the athletic director, coach, athletic trainer, or authorized person must remove from participation a pupil who passes out or faints, or who is known to have passed out or fainted, while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity.  A pupil who exhibits any of the other symptoms of SCA during an athletic activity may be removed from participation if the athletic trainer or authorized person reasonably believes that the symptoms are cardiac related.  A pupil who is removed from play may not return to that activity until he or she is evaluated by, and receives written clearance from a physician or surgeon. On a yearly basis, an acknowledgement of receipt and review of information regarding SCA must be signed and returned by the pupil and the pupil’s parent or guardian before a pupil participates in specific types of athletic activities which generally does not apply to those conducted during the regular school day or as part of a physical education course.

More info can be found on the Mayo Clinic website.

Drug Education

General Drug Awareness and Crisis Resources

  • Recover LA Mobile App Recover LA Link
    • Free mobile app. Provides education and resources for those seeking substance use services for themselves or others. Available in 13 languages.
  • Substance Abuse Service Helpline (SASH) 1-844-804-7500
    • Toll-free 24/7 helpline. Anyone may call. Clinicians/Counselors conduct a screening and connect the caller to a treatment provider.The SASH operator will connect you with a treatment provider or provides you with a referral option(s)
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) 988 Call & Text 24 hours per day/ 7 days a week
    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Department of Mental Health (DMH) Access Hotline (800) 854-7771 24 hours per day/ 7 days a week
    • 24/7 Mental Health Services include screening, assessment, referral & crisis counseling

Fentanyl Resources for Parents

Safety Drills | Natural Disasters | Lockdown Events

Fire/Earthquake/Natural Disaster

Emergency preparedness includes fire, earthquake and lockdown drills that happen at regular times during the school year. All alarms are treated as real. In the event of a fire or earthquake, an alarm will sound and all staff, students, and visitors are required to complete an orderly and safe evacuation from the classrooms and building. Staff and students will meet in pre-assigned areas, and will remain there until all students are accounted for and instructed to return to the building or move to a safer area.

Parents, guardians and other family members should report to your student’s school where you will be given information related to where you can pick up your student.

Potential Intruder

Emergency preparedness for potentially dangerous intruders include lockdown drills held at regular intervals during the school year. In the event of an intruder on campus, students and staff will shelter in place (most likely in the classroom) until it is safe for them to move about campus.

Student Pick-Up

In the case of major emergency, such as a significant earthquake or fire, or once it is safe to release students from a lockdown drill, parents, guardians and other family members, should report to your student’s school where you will be given information related to where you can pick up your student.

Children will be with their classroom and by grade level. Trained personnel will be at the gate to assist you and focus on ensuring all students are safe and accounted for.

Children will be released only to those names appearing on the registration form. This is why staff asks you to keep us informed of any changes that occur and to keep the registration current.

*Please notify the school office immediately with any changes in address, phone numbers, employment, or emergency information. Should an emergency arise, we must be able to reach you.

Sexual Health Education

The California Healthy Youth Act (“CHYA”) found in Education Code Section 51930, requires California charter schools to teach sexual education and human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”) prevention to students in grades 7 to 12 at least once in junior high or middle school and at least once in high school. It may also be taught in any grade K-6, inclusive.

Da Vinci Schools Implementation

There is no formal sexual education classes or curriculum in grades K-3.

Puberty Education

The School Nurse teaches a one-time puberty education lecture focusing on the changes of puberty to 4th and 5th graders. Videos and supportive materials are provided by Teen Talk.

Middle School Health (Grade 7/8)

Middle school students have the opportunity to opt into health workshops that take place in second semester, separated by gender, which utilize CHYA compliant curriculum “Teen Talk”.

High School

Per the Student Handbook, parents have the opportunity to review all curriculum per request and to opt out of sexual health instruction by providing written notice.

Da Vinci Schools has adopted the Teen Talk curriculum which includes the below core components:

  • Covers topics of sexual and reproductive anatomy, conception and fetal development, birth control, pregnancy options, STIs and HIV, gender and sexual orientation, media analysis, relationships, sexual crimes, consent, communication and decision-making
  • Establishes a foundation for understanding sexual health and common language for communicating respectfully
  • Helps students identify resources (e.g., parents/trusted adults, school personnel, healthcare providers)
  • Encourages communication with parents/trusted adults, including an interview assignment
  • Uses gender-inclusive language

More info on the curriculum used can be found here: https://www.health-connected.org/

Schools will send out a notice to parents two weeks prior to starting sexual health education. Da Vinci Schools acknowledges that parents/guardians are the primary sexuality educators for their child/children and we are committed to partnering with you to provide supplementary resources to support you in this role.

More about California Health Youth Act

The stated purposes of the CHYA are

(1) to provide pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect their sexual and reproductive health from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and from unintended pregnancy;

(2) to provide pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to develop healthy attitudes concerning adolescent growth and development, body image, gender, sexual orientation, relationships, marriage, and family;

(3) to promote understanding of sexuality as a normal part of human development;

(4) to ensure pupils receive integrated, comprehensive, accurate, and unbiased sexual health and HIV prevention instruction and provide educators with clear tools and guidance to accomplish that end; and

(5) to provide pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to have healthy, positive, and safe relationships and behaviors.

All instruction under the CHYA must satisfy the following minimum criteria:

  • Instruction and materials shall be age appropriate.
  • All factual information presented shall be medically accurate and objective.
  • All instruction and materials shall:
    • align with and support the purposes of the CHYA (see above for listed purposes) and not conflict with them;
    • be appropriate for use with pupils of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pupils with disabilities, and English learners;
    • be made available on an equal basis to a pupil who is an English learner;
    • be accessible to pupils with disabilities, including, but not limited to, the provision of a modified curriculum, materials and instruction in alternative formats, and auxiliary aids;
    • not reflect or promote bias against any person on the basis of any protected characteristic (i.e. disability, gender, gender identify, gender expression, nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status);
    • affirmatively recognize that people have different sexual orientations and, when discussing or providing examples of relationships and couples, shall be inclusive of same-sex relationships;
    • teach pupils about gender, gender expression, gender identity, and explore the harm of negative gender stereotypes;
    • encourage a pupil to communicate with his or her parents, guardians, and other trusted adults about human sexuality and provide the knowledge and skills necessary to do so;
    • teach the value of and prepare pupils to have and maintain committed relationships such as marriage;
    • provide pupils with knowledge and skills they need to form healthy relationships that are based on mutual respect and affection, and are free from violence, coercion, and intimidation;
    • provide pupils with knowledge and skills for making and implementing healthy decisions about sexuality, including negotiation and refusal skills to assist pupils in overcoming peer pressure and using effective decision-making skills to avoid high-risk activities;
    • not teach or promote religious doctrine.

At a minimum, instruction under the CHYA must include the following:

  • Information on the nature of HIV, as well as other sexually transmitted infections, and their effects on the human body.
  • Information on the manner in which HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are and are not transmitted, including information on the relative risk of infection according to specific behaviors, including sexual activities and injection drug use.
  • Information that abstinence from sexual activity and injection drug use is the only certain way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only certain way to prevent unintended pregnancy. This instruction shall provide information about the value of delaying sexual activity while also providing medically accurate information on other methods of preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
  • Information about the effectiveness and safety of all federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved methods that prevent or reduce the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, including use of antiretroviral medication, consistent with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Information about the effectiveness and safety of reducing the risk of HIV transmission as a result of injection drug use by decreasing needle use and needle sharing.
  • Information about the treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, including how antiretroviral therapy can dramatically prolong the lives of many people living with HIV and reduce the likelihood of transmitting HIV to others.
  • Discussion about social views on HIV and AIDS, including addressing unfounded stereotypes and myths regarding HIV and AIDS and people living with HIV. This instruction shall emphasize that successfully treated HIV-positive individuals have a normal life expectancy, all people are at some risk of contracting HIV, and the only way to know if one is HIV-positive is to get tested.
  • Information about local resources, how to access local resources, and pupils’ legal rights to access local resources for sexual and reproductive health care such as testing and medical care for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy prevention and care, as well as local resources for assistance with sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
  • Information about the effectiveness and safety of all FDA-approved contraceptive methods in preventing pregnancy, including, but not limited to, emergency contraception. Instruction on pregnancy shall include an objective discussion of all legally available pregnancy outcomes, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
    • Parenting, adoption, and abortion.
    • Information on the law on surrendering physical custody of a minor child 72 hours of age or younger.
    • The importance of prenatal care.
  • Information about sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Information on human trafficking shall include information on the prevalence, nature, and strategies to reduce the risk of human trafficking, techniques to set healthy boundaries, and how to safely seek assistance.
  • Information about adolescent relationship abuse and intimate partner violence, including the early warning signs thereof.

HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Emily Green, RN, PhD
Director of Health Services
egreen@davincischools.org

Titsyana Lucero
School Nurse supporting 201 campus
tlucero@davincischools.org

Priscilla Vargas
Health Assistant supporting Connect TK-12 campuses
pvargas@davincischools.org