COVID Updates
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During the 2021-2022 school year the Great Falls Public Schools and City-County Health Department will no longer be mandating quarantines for anyone identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 individual. Please refer to the CCHD Exposure letter to review the recommendations for individuals with a possible exposure to COVID-19. CCHD 2021 Exposure Letter
CDC guidelines on isolation and quarantine, including definition of close contacts: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html#:~:text=For%20Anyone%20Who%20Has%20Been,NOT%20need%20to%20stay%20home.
2021-2022 GFPS Illness Exclusion/Inclusion Protocol - COVID Inclusion Exclusion Criteria
Watch a video from Lead Nurse, Erica Harp on an explanation of the COVID Inclusion Exclusion Criteria
Resources for Parents and Staff
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Sending your child to school with medical needs:
If your child has any medical conditions please do not hesitate to speak with your child’s teacher, principal, or school nurse. School nurses are available to help assess what your child needs to succeed at school and we can develop Individualized Health Care Plans or Emergency Care Plans for them. Below are some quick references for common medical issues, but we understand that our students have many other medical needs beyond those listed here.
For the student with Asthma
- If your child will have an inhaler in the office please provide the school secretary with a physicians order for their medication.
- Here is the Asthma Care Plan for your child to be filled out with their symptoms and returned to the school with yours and their physicians signature.
- If your child will be carrying their own medication please have your doctor sign the MT Authorization to Self Carry and Self Administer Asthma Medication form and give a copy to the school to keep on file.
- Would you like more assistance with your child’s asthma? Cascade City-County Health Department nurses are prepared to help! Please contact the Montana Asthma Program Home Visiting program at 406-761-9888. Or visit their website by clicking here: MAP
Influenza Prevention
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Click on any of the documents below for Influenza Prevention Information:
- Everyday Prevention Actions To Fight Germs Like Flu (source: CDC)
- Help Fight Germs Like Flu (source: CDC)
- Influenza Fact Sheet (source: City County Health Department & Community Health Care Center)
Other Helpful Resources
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Examples of other Emergency Care Plans
We will gladly accept different Emergency Care Plans from your child’s health care provider or from another agency as long as they are reviewed by a school nurse.
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For the student with Diabetes
- Please refer to our suggested guidelines for preparing to send your child to school: Diabetes Recommendations
- Diabetic Medical Management Plan (DMMP)-to be completed with child’s physician
- DMMP for students injecting insulin with a pen or syringe
- DMMP for students with pumps
- Here is a link to the orders from the Montana.gov site.
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For the student with life threatening allergies
- Please refer to our suggested guidelines for sending your child to school with allergies: Allergy Recommendations
- If you will have an Epinephrine auto-injector kept at school for your child please make sure that the office has a copy of a doctor’s order for ALL medication.
- Here is the Allergy Care Plan that will need to be completed and signed by yourself and the doctor.
- If your child will be self-carrying their Epinephrine auto-injector please have your medical provider complete the MT Authorization to Self Carry and Self Administer Allergy Medication form to keep on file at your child’s school.
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Links to useful resources
Parent Coronavirus (COVID-19) letter
GFPS Nursing Department Lice Information
School Guidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (www.foodallergy.org)
American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org)
Cascade City-County Health Dept
MT Asthma Program for Cascade County (MAP)
Kidshealth.org (helpful information about diseases and healthy living)
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Quick Links to GFPS Emergency Care Plans (ECP)
We ask that all students with a potentially emergent medical condition have an ECP on file with their school. These plans can be reviewed annually and/or changed as needed for your child. Please contact a school nurse if you have questions.
Contact Us
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For questions about Great Falls Public Schools Student Wellness please contact:406-268-6770
