BFA is concerned with the health and safety of every student. We have a large Health Room for students who feel ill throughout the day, need a wound cared for, or need to take medicine during the school day. There is a dedicated Health Room staff member, Kelley Marie Paulson, and we also have a nurse consultant, Peggy Brown, on site about one day a week. If you have concerns about your student’s health or if there is a change we need to be made aware of (concussion, broken bone, etc.), please contact the health room.
Students Who Plan to Take Medicine at School
For those students who take medicine at school, per Douglas County School District (DCSD), new medication forms are required at the beginning of each school year. Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be administered to students at school only on the specific written request of the student’s parent/guardian and with the written authorization of the student’s physician.
Forms are available in the school office, on the school
website (click on ‘forms’) and are linked below. If your student has an appointment with his/her physician during the summer, that’s a good time to get the paperwork completed. Records can be
emailed to the health office, faxed to 303-974-1738 or dropped off during BFA Annual Family Check-In.
All prescription medications must be provided in the original pharmacy labeled container. The pharmacy label must match the accompanying Provider Medication Authorization. All over-the-counter medications must be provided in the original packaging, which includes dose and frequency information, the dose must match the Provider Medication Authorization.
Reminder about Over-the-Counter Medicine
Acetaminophen or any other over-the-counter medication cannot be administered at school without an order from the health care provider (Provider Medication Authorization Form). BFA does not provide any medications for students. For those who provide the health office with approved medication, the medication must be in original packaging and must not be expired. Note: Please send in the smallest amount possible, in the original bottle and labeled for your student (a travel sized medicine container would be preferable to a supply of 500).
Herbal and homeopathic remedies may not be administered at school.
Medical Forms Explained
Not sure which form you need to have completed? See the descriptions below. All current versions of the health forms are located on the Policies, Uniforms, Forms
webpage (click ‘forms’ on the top).
Provider Medication Authorization Form: If your student will need a medication administered at school, either daily or as needed, please complete the top portion of this form and have the student’s health care provider complete the lower portion of the form.
Asthma Care Plan: If your student has asthma and will have an inhaler or other treatment at school, have your student’s health care provider complete this form. Also complete the Medication Request and Release Agreement (below).
Allergy Care Plan: If your student has a severe allergy and will have an epinephrine auto-injector or other medication at school, have your student’s health care provider complete this form. Also complete the Medication Request and Release Agreement (below).
Medication Request and Release Agreement: This DCSD Parent/Guardian Agreement Form must be completed for any prescription or over-the-counter medication taken at school with a student’s health care provider’s consent. One form per student (please list all medications on the “Medication line.). This must accompany any plan even if the health care provider has used their own form or if your student has an Asthma Care Plan or Allergy Care Plan.
Vaccinations
Getting vaccinated is an important part of your student’s school readiness and keeps children from catching and spreading diseases that can make them sick. Click
here to read about the required and recommended K-8 vaccines. And, for information regarding the Tdap vaccine required before entering sixth grade, click
here.
Since we may not have access to your child’s immunization records from a prior school: All new immunization records and exemption letters should be provided to the school by Friday, August 26.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also asks us to share information about next school year. Below are the immunization requirements, for your reference.
Information about the Nonmedical Exemption Process
Per the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the process for claiming a nonmedical exemption changed. Exemptions must be submitted to the school each school year.
If you choose not to have your child(ren) vaccinated according to the current recommended schedule because of personal belief or religious reasons, you must submit a Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption to the school. (In the instance that the exemption is filed with the state, please give the Health Room a copy of the signed exemption form.)
The school year begins on July 1, and runs through June 30 of the following year. There are two ways to file a nonmedical exemption:
- File the Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption WITH a signature from an immunizing provider, OR
- File the Certificate of Nonmedical Exemption received upon the completion of the online education module.
If you have questions about any of these processes during the summer, please
contact our school nurse consultant,
Peggy Brown.
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Each year, BFA conducts hearing and vision screenings for grades K,1,2,3,5 and 7, as well as for new BFA students
. It is important to note that this is a screening, not a complete exam.
If your student wears prescription glasses or contacts, it is necessary that he/she wear them during the screening. Click
here for the 2022 Parent Letter which offers additional details.
Parents receive a letter if their student does not pass the screening. Students with concerns should be evaluated by a health care professional.
Colorado Department of Education Standards for
hearing and
vision are available online.
