SMITHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Maintaining a healthy school environment requires collaboration between families and staff. Below is essential guidance on when students should stay home and how handwashing prevents the spread of illness.

When to Keep Your Child Home 

To help prevent the spread of illness in our school, please keep your child home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms: 

• Fever of 100.4°F or higher (must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning). 
• Vomiting or diarrhea (must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning). 
• Persistent cough, sore throat, or respiratory symptoms. 

• Undiagnosed rash or draining eyes. Please bring in doctor's once the rash and eyes have been diagnosed. 

If symptoms begin at school, your child will be sent home as soon as possible. If you are unsure whether to send your child to school, please contact the health office for guidance. 

The Importance of Handwashing

Handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in schools. 

How to Wash Hands Effectively

Effective handwashing involves five key steps: 

1. Wet hands with clean, running water and apply soap.
2. Lather by rubbing hands together, ensuring to cover all surfaces, including the backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails.
3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to hum "Happy Birthday" twice).
4. Rinse thoroughly under clean, running water.
5. Dry using a clean towel or air dryer. 

Key Times to Wash

Students should wash their hands at crucial times, such as before eating, after using the restroom, after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing, after activities like recess or using shared equipment.

If soap and water are unavailable, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol should be used. 

When to Stay Home English

When to Stay Home Spanish

Lice

Chronic Health Conditions

It is extremely important that parents, healthcare professionals, and school personnel work together to assist your child in the management of any needs or symptoms that may occur during the school year. In Ohio, medical action plans, often referred to as Individualized Health Plans (IHP) or Emergency Action Plans (EAP) are essential for managing students with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, seizures, and severe allergies.  Emergency Action Plans must be updated every school year and must be signed by the licensed healthcare provider and a parent or guardian. 

Type 1 Diabetes English

Type 1 Diabetes Spanish

Anaphylactic Action Plan

Asthma Action Plan

Diabetes Action Plan

Seizure Action Plan

Migraines Action Plan

Immunizations

Ohio Revised Code 3313.671 requires students to be fully protected against 10 vaccine-preventable diseases.  Below are the required vaccinations for kindergarten, 7th grade and 12th grade. Students are required to be in compliance by the 14th day of school every school year.

Kindergarten requirements:

DTaP- 5 doses unless 4th dose was given after child’s 4th birthday

Polio- 4 doses unless 3rd dose was given after child’s 4th birthday

MMR- 2 doses- dose 1 must be after child’s 1st birthday and dose 2 must be at least 28 days after dose 1

HEP B- 3 doses- dose 2 must be 28 days after dose 1 and dose 3 must be after child is 24 weeks of age and at least 8 weeks after dose 2 and 16 weeks after dose 1

Varicella (chickenpox)- 2 doses- dose 1 must be after child’s 1st birthday and dose 2 should be 3 months after dose 1

7th Grade requirements:

Tdap - 1 dose prior to start of school year
Meningococcal - 1 dose prior to start of school year

12th Grade requirements:

Meningococcal - 2 doses prior to start of school year (1 dose from 7th grade and 2nd dose before 12th grade) unless dose 1 was given after child's 16th birthday

Ohio Immunization Summary for School Attendance 2025-2026

Exemption Form

**VACCINES AVAILABLE AT WAYNE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT**

WAYNE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

203 S. WALNUT STREET, WOOSTER, OHIO

Immunization clinics are by appointment only

Please call 330-264-9590 ext 214 to schedule a time

·         Cost: Donation of $ 10.00/dose (children will not be refused for inability to pay)

o   Can bill most private insurances

o   Cash, check, Medicaid cards accepted

Viola Startman clinic also offered free or discounted medical and dental care to residents of Wayne County. Call 330-262-2500

Medications: (Forms available below)

Over the Counter:

We do not stock over the counter medications. You must provide all over the counter medications for your students in a new unopened package along with a parent authorization form with parent signature. Please turn in these items to your nurse.  Students are not permitted to carry medication in their bookbags or keep it in their lockers to self-administer. All medications must be turned into the nurse.

Prescriptions:

All prescriptions that need to be administered during school hours must have a physician order with a signature that includes the student name and the medication directions which must match the medication bottle given to the nurse. Please also turn in parent request and authorization to administer a prescribed medication form with your signature.

Over the Counter Form

Prescription Form

Vision Screening:

Vision screenings will be administered at the beginning of every school year to all children in the grades required by state law: Kindergarten, 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th, 9^th, & 11^th.  Screening will also be conducted for any student new to the district or at the request of a parent or staff member. Students who wear glasses or contact lenses should wear them during the screening. 

Vision screening is important for early detection of potential problems, The screening checks distance and binocular vision. Parents will be notified of results by receiving a referral letter if their child does not pass. You may waive vision screening with a copy of a recent eye exam, or a written refusal form completed by a parent/ guardian.