School nurses provide assessment of acute illness and injuries during the school day, as well as chronic health management, including medication administration and providing medical treatments prescribed by a physician.

For specific information regarding school health programs in Aiken County Public Schools, contact:

Supervisor of Nursing Services: Monica Mazzell, RN at (803) 641-2417.

The Safe Access to Vital Epinephrine (SAVE) Act, approved by the South Carolina Legislature, allows school districts to stock epinephrine auto-injectors for identified school staff to use in emergencies for students with life-threatening allergic reactions. These Epi-pens are intended for individuals experiencing a first-time, previously undiagnosed allergic reaction.

Parents and guardians of students with known allergies should continue to provide Epi-pens/epinephrine for their children. These students will continue to have Emergency Action Plans and Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs) developed by the school nurse.

Every Aiken County school has a school nurse and at least two first responders who are trained in Epi-pen administration.

Any medication to be given during the school day must be delivered to school by the parent/guardian in the original, properly labelled container and accompanied by a completed Medication Permission Form.

Over-the-counter medications may be given with parental permission as long as age appropriate dosing recommendations on the product label are followed. However, if the healthcare provider prescribes a medication that is purchased over the counter and/or if the medication is prescribed differently from the manufacturer's recommendations on the container, the school will need a Medication Permission Form signed by the healthcare provider that prescribed the medication.

The healthcare provider’s signature on the Medication Permission Form is required for all prescription medications.

A Tdap vaccination is required for 7th - 10th grade students beginning in the 2016-17 school year. All students entering seventh grade must have a Tdap vaccination on or after the 7th birthday. Your child’s school will need a South Carolina Certificate of Immunization showing that he or she has received the Tdap vaccination.

Also beginning in 2016, all 5K – 2nd grade students must receive two doses of varicella vaccine on or after the 1st birthday or have a positive history of disease.

2017 - 2018 Immunization Standards for School Attendance