Health Office

Our mission statement is to encourage and cultivate the next generation in developing personal goals that promote strong physical, mental, and healthy behaviors for lifelong learning and wellness. We serve our students with respect, compassion, and a caring heart.

The health offices at our Great Hearts Academies are staffed by Registered Nurses and Health Assistants. If the school health professional is not present, trained personnel will be delegated to administer medications and respond to medical emergencies. The health offices are on campus to serve scholars with medical conditions, support acutely ill scholars and to be available in urgent/emergency situations. Our Health Offices are not clinics and cannot diagnose or provide treatment plans. Please talk with your scholars about appropriate visits to the health office.

Parents should notify the Health Office during the school year regarding changes in the child’s health status such as: a new diagnosis; new medications given at home; surgery or hospitalizations; fractures or injuries; or communicable diseases in the child or immediate family.

The state requires certain communicable diseases to be reported by the school to provide community assistance if necessary. These diseases can be reviewed here: school-reporting-requirements.

Vaccinations: In accordance with Arizona State Law (A.R.S 15-872), students must have proof of all required immunizations or a valid exemption in order to attend school. The Health Office will monitor compliance and notify non-compliant families as needed. K-12 Guide to Immunizations Required for Entry to School.

Medications In Office:
Our health office stocks common over the counter (OTC) medications, they will be administered if parental consent has been given, and the staff has determined the necessity of the medication. During enrollment consent for these medications was asked. If there are any changes to your consent, please contact the health office.

The health office stocks the following over the counter medications:

    • Acetaminophen
    • Diphenhydramine (allergy medicine)
    • Cough Drops (brand varies per office)
    • Ibuprofen
    • Hydrocortisone cream
    • Neosporin
    • Saline Eye Drops
    • Calcium Carbonate

Medications Provided from Home:
If you wish for your child to receive any other medications at school on a scheduled or as needed basis, please complete this medication consent form. At this time the health office cannot accept herbal remedies that are not FDA approved.

OTC medications must be brought into the health office in the original packaging. (OTC medication donations are always appreciated). Prescription medications will be administered according to the physician’s order and must be in the original prescription bottle. The child’s name must be clearly legible, and the medication must not be expired.

ALL medications must be brought on campus by the parent and given to the health office with the completed medication consent form.

Health Office Visits:
If your scholar visits the health office staff will perform assessments or observe their health status in the least intrusive manner as possible. Staff will ask questions to discern student complaints and may obtain vital signs or perform physical assessments. Communication for most visits will occur through a Health Office pass that is to follow the scholar home. Email communication is sometimes utilized as well. If an urgent/emergent matter arises every effort will be made to contact parents/guardians as soon as possible. If a scholar meets criteria to be sent home, you will be called and asked to pick the scholar up as soon as possible. Please review the illness guidelines for when to keep your scholar at home.