School Nursing
Helping keep children healthy, safe, and ready to learn
The school nurse is a crucial member of the educational team who attends to the health and well-being of all students and is a liaison with the family and medical care sources. If you have questions about countywide school nursing or information on this page, contact Corinne McCarthy, Coordinator for School Nursing.
Join the School Nurses Mailing List
Don't miss out on this networking opportunity—join the School Nurses Mailing List today! It's easy to join; all you need is an email address. Consider joining both at home and at school so you don't miss out.
To subscribe, please email your request to Roxanna Bayon at roxanna.bayon@sdcoe.net. You will receive a confirmation email once you've been added to the list.
Health Topics
Infectious Disease Prevention Guidance and Resources
In May 2024, public health guidance around COVID-19 was dissolved into general guidance for preventing the spread of infections and respiratory viruses.
Included below are the current guidelines being followed in schools and by employers in California.
The only requirements still in place is the Cal/OSHA reporting and recordkeeping requirements, which remain in effect until Feb. 3, 2026. It requires that the employer keep a record of and track all COVID-19 cases with the employee's name, contact information, occupation, location where the employee worked, the date of the last day at the workplace, and the date of the positive COVID-19 test and/or COVID-19 diagnosis. These records must be retained for two years. It also requires that information on COVID-19 cases be provided to the local health department with jurisdiction over the workplace, CDPH, the Division, and NIOSH immediately upon request, and when required by law.
Guidance for preventing the spread of infections in schools (CDC)
On May 17, 2024 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released consolidated, evidence-based guidance for preventing the spread of infections in K-12 schools. The guidance includes everyday actions that schools can take to prevent and control the spread of respiratory and stomach viruses, such as influenza and norovirus, and bacterial illness, such as strep throat. This guidance is designed to maximize school attendance and its benefits for all students, while also preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Being in school provides many benefits, including ongoing learning and social and emotional development.
Guidance for preventing the spread of respiratory viruses when your sick (CDC)
On May 17, 2024, CDC also released guidance for preventing the spread of respiratory viruses when you're sick. The guide includes core prevention strategies to protect yourselves and others from respiratory viruses when experiencing symptoms. CDPH recommends following the CDC guidance on Preventing the Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You're Sick for confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 infection.
Considerations when a child has symptoms of illness in child care or school (CDPH)
On Oct. 2, 2023, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in consultation with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the California Department of Education (CDE), released considerations when a child has symptoms of illness in child care or school. This guidance is intended to support decision-making for situations when an individual child has symptoms of illness in child care or school settings. General recommendations and symptom-based considerations are provided.
Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance: Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Resources
As of Feb. 3, 2025, there is no longer a specific set of regulatory requirements relating to COVID-19 prevention in the workplace. Employers will still be required to maintain a safe and healthful place of employment as required by Labor Code section 6400, and must establish, implement, and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) as required by Title 8, California Code of Regulations, section 3203. If an employer identifies COVID-19 as a workplace hazard at their place of employment, then the employer must identify, evaluate, and correct any unsafe or unhealthy conditions, work practices, or work procedures that are associated with COVID-19.
County Resources for Diseases and Conditions
San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency compiles the latest resources on diseases, conditions, and vaccines, on its website. You can find materials for each disease, including fact sheets, infographics, brochures, and more.
Measles
Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. It begins with a fever that lasts for a few days followed by a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a rash that typically appears first on the face then the rest of the body. Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old. The best way to prevent measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Templates
Resources
- Measles information webpage - San Diego County Health and Human Services
- Measles FAQs in multiple languages for parents and schools - Los Angeles County Public Health
- Measles outbreaks and activity webpage - California Department of Public Health
- Measles cases and outbreaks - U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Flu Season
Resources
- Parent letter about triple threat of RSV, flu, and COVID-19
- Parent letter about flu season
- CDPH communications toolkit
- San Diego County influenza webpage
- Flu shot locations in San Diego County and across the state
Tips To Help You Stay Safe This Flu Season
- Get a flu vaccine
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs that can cause respiratory illnesses like the flu.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, limit your contact with others as much as possible so you don’t spread your infection to them.
Type I Diabetes
Pursuant to California Education Code Section 49452.6, this type 1 diabetes information provided by the California Department of Public Health is for local educational agencies to provide to parents and guardians of incoming elementary school students beginning Jan. 1, 2023. The fact sheet includes information about risk factors, warning signs, screening tests, and treatments.
More to Explore
- Professional Organizations
- Professional Development and Events
- Individual Student Healthcare Plan Templates/Sample Policies and Procedures
- Naloxone Toolkit
- Drug Impairment Intervention Toolkit
- Extreme Heat Resources
- Menstrual Equity Resources
- Epinephrine Standing Order for California Schools
- Physicals for Kindergarten Entry
Professional Organizations
Professional Development and Events
School Nurses Resource Meeting (Virtual)
3/13/2025 | 4/10/2025 | 5/07/2025
Please visit the Health and Well-Being page for a complete list of professional development opportunities and events offered by SDCOE.
Individual Student Healthcare Plan Templates/Sample Policies and Procedures
The disease / disorder-based Individual Student Healthcare Plan (ISHP) templates are provided by credentialed school nurses from all over San Diego County. Many thanks to all those who have contributed and will contribute as we add to the list.
There are many approaches to developing ISHPs for our students. These Word templates are downloadable and editable and merely provide a starting point for individualizing the care and approach our students need and deserve. Some students with multiple concerns may require sections from several of the templates to be incorporated into their ISHP.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ
A
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Adrenal Insufficiency
- Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan
- Anaphylaxis
- Anemia
- Angioedema
- Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery
- Anxiety
- Aplastic Anemia
- Asthma Symptom Action Plan (ASAP)
- Autism
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
B
C
- C4-Quadriplegia
- Central Line
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chiari's Malformation
- Chronic Kidney Stones
- Chronic Renal Failure
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Conversion Disorder
- Costochondritis
- Cystic Fibrosis
D
- Depression
- Diabetes Type I
- Diabetes Type I Independent
- Diabetes Type II
- Diapering/Toileting Procedure
- Diapering/Toileting Procedure Slides
- Down Syndrome
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
- Dysmenorrhea
- Dysthymia
E
- Encephalitis - Status Post
- Encopresis
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis
- Epidermolysis Bullosa
- Ewing's Sarcoma
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
- Phenylketonuria
- Pituitary Adenoma-Hormonal Imbalance
- Post Concussion Syndrome
- Post Rattlesnake Bite
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
- Prader Willi Syndrome
- Pseudotumor Cerebri
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Pulmonary Atresia
Q
R
S
- Schizophrenia
- Severe Allergic Reaction-Anaphylaxis
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Spondyloarthritis
- Status Post Care Gastrointestinal Bleed
- Steroid Hyperglycemia
- Student with 1-1 LVN at school
- Suicidal Ideation
- Syncope
T
- Toileting/Diapering Procedure
- Toileting/Diapering Procedure Slides
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Trisomy 21
- Tubular Sclerosis
U
V
W
XYZ
Naloxone Toolkit
As you may be aware, there is an opioid epidemic impacting people of all ages in this country. Thankfully, the documented impact on teens in San Diego County remains extremely low. But even one child using drugs and putting their life in jeopardy is one too many. To promote awareness and aid districts in obtaining naloxone, a life-saving drug that reverses an opioid overdose, SDCOE has gathered a variety of resources to provide instruction and guidance in this process.
The California Department of Health Care Services' (DHCS) Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) is funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and administered by DHCS to combat opioid overdose-related deaths throughout California. The NDP aims to address the opioid crisis by reducing opioid overdose deaths through the provision of free naloxone, in its nasal spray formulation. Since October 2018, qualified organizations and entities have been able to request free naloxone from DHCS. SDCOE recommends all county districts partner with DHCS.
Supporting Documents and Information
- California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) — Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) Website
- California DHCS - Statewide Standing Order and Training Video for Naloxone
- California DHCS — Naloxone Distribution (NDP) Flier
- California DHCS — Naloxone Distribution (NDP) Overview
- SAMHSA Overdose, Prevention and Response Toolkit
- Template — Standing Physician Orders (.docx)
- Sample — Naloxone Policy and Procedure (.docx)
- Sample — Opioid Antagonist Board Policy (.doc)
- Overview — Assembly Bill #1748, Chapter 557 (PDF)
- Overview — CA Education Code Section 49414.3 (PDF)
- California School Nurse Organization- Guideline for Specialized Health-Care Services in Educational Settings: Opioid Antagonist (includes all documents to meet CA Ed Code 49414.3; training guidelines, checklists, request for volunteers, etc)
Other sources for free Narcan for schools
-
SAY San Diego
SAY San Diego can provide free training regarding fentanyl and opioid risks, how to recognize opioid overdose symptoms, and how to use Naloxone to try and reverse the overdose. We can distribute Narcan nasal spray and Fentanyl test strips to those who attend the training and request it. Our services, the Narcan nasal spray, and Fentanyl test strips are provided at no cost. SAY is funded by the County of San Diego to do alcohol and other drug prevention in the community and in collaboration with the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego. SAY can provide this training anywhere in San Diego County.
SAY can provide training to:
- Parents, community members, community groups, civic organizations
- School staff and students (middle and high school)
- Law enforcement and first responder
- Military personnel
- Transitional age youth (ages 12 -25)
- College students and staff
- Trade schools
- Justice involved youth and adults
To request free presentations, receive Narcan Nasal Spray and/or Fentanyl Test Strips please contact:
William Perno, wperno@saysandiego.org or Claudia Ciarmoli, cciarmoli@saysandiego.org
Drug Impairment Intervention Toolkit
This toolkit aims to share sample protocols/policies, templates, and resources that align with best practices when identifying and supporting students who are possibly under the influence of drugs.
These materials were created by the SDCOE’s Student Wellness and School Culture Department with input from more than 200 California credentialed school nurses and San Diego physicians.
Possible Drug Impairment Action/Intervention Flowchart
The flowchart is for use by all school personnel. To customize the flowchart for your school community, click on the document to be taken to the template.
Resources
Drug Impairment Assessment
This assessment document is to be used only by licensed personnel who are trained in assessment after determining the person is stable to remain on the school site.
The assessment was created based on input from more than 300 registered credentialed school nurses in California, and can be customized based on your school policies and procedures.
The information gathered in this document is meant to support the student. Collaboration with social workers, counselors, administrators and families is essential to ensure the best possible outcome for all students moving forward
I Choose My Future, a captivating presentation and video series designed with students in mind, provides viewers with comprehensive, straightforward insight into how substance abuse impacts the individual, their families, and society.
The drug prevention and awareness resource guide includes materials, data, and curriculum, around the dangers of opioids and other drugs, and training on naloxone, the opioid-reversing drug available to all schools in the county.
Information and Resources for Parents
- County of San Diego Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Operation Prevention San Diego
- California Safe and Supportive Schools
- SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- San Diego Al-Anon Family Groups
- San Diego County Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Services Directories for Children, Youth , and Families
Information and Resources for Students
Youth Mental Health
- BrightLife Kids: For parents or caregivers and kids 0-12 years old and is available via iOS (on Android mid-2024).
- Soluna: For teens and young adults ages 13-25, and is available via iOS and Android.
Extreme Heat Resources
Menstrual Equity Resources
AB 367 Menstrual Equity
Assembly Bill 367 requires California public schools to provide free pads and tampons in campus bathrooms.
What’s the Requirement for Schools?
On or before the start of the 2022-23 school year, Assembly Bill 367 requires a public school, including a school operated by a school district, county office of education, or charter school, maintaining any combination of classes from grades 6 to 12, inclusive, to stock at all times an adequate supply of menstrual products, available and accessible, free of cost, in all women’s restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men’s restroom.
There also needs to be a notice posted about the requirements of the bill section related to grade 6-12 schools in a prominent and conspicuous location in every restroom required to stock menstrual products.
Epinephrine Standing Order for California Schools
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE), issued in April 2024 a statewide standing order to help reduce morbidity and mortality associated with anaphylaxis by facilitating the distribution and administration of epinephrine in California schools. This standing order authorizes a California school (public, charter or private), school district or county office of education to obtain epinephrine auto-injectors for elementary schools, junior high schools, middle schools, and high schools.
You can find additional information on the CDPH and CDE websites.
CDPH Standing Order Site - Home (ca.gov)
Administration of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors - Health Services & School Nursing (CDE)
Physicals for Kindergarten Entry
Page break |
|
|
|
---|
main contacts
Mara Madrigal-Weiss
Executive Director,
Student Wellness and School Culture
Linda Vista Campus
mmadrigal@sdcoe.net
858-298-2068
Corinne McCarthy
Coordinator, School Nursing
Student Wellness and School Culture
Linda Vista Campus
corinne.mccarthy@sdcoe.net
858-298-2094
Roxanna Bayon
Administrative Assistant III,
Student Wellness and School Culture
Linda Vista Campus
roxanna.bayon@sdcoe.net
858-298-2075