Health Services

District Registered Nurse

Apple

Ruth Reams RN, eCIC

rreams@westendschools.org

West End Public Schools

970.864.7350 x 6

970.428.2288

West End Public Schools' Department of Health Services provides health consultation and resources to support students and their families.

School Nurse Mission:

To Enhance the Well-Being of Students so that they are Healthy, Safe and Ready to Learn!

To Enhance the Well-Being of Students so that they are Health , Safe and Ready to Learn!

Health Services for the West End Schools Colt Care through 12th grade are provided by the district Registered Nurse (RN) who consults with students, families, school staff and administration. Please notify the RN if your student has a health need that requires support during the school day. Please keep your students health concerns updated at registration and as conditions change during the school year.

How Sick is Too Sick?

WEPS follows the recommendations from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) on when students and staff should stay home from school, work or childcare. The District RN provides guidance to school administration following the How Sick is Too Sick? guidance document.

Immunizations

Colorado Law requires all students attending Colorado schools and licensed childcare centers to be vaccinated against certain diseases unless a medical or non-medical exemption is filed. For more information about vaccine requirements, resources and exemptions, visit the School-required vaccines page.

For information to obtain a medical or non-medical exemption, visit the School-required vaccine exemptions page.

Direct link to Online Immunization Education Module: Online Immunization Education Module

Medical Forms for Certain Medical Conditions

Families must complete the required forms and have them signed by their healthcare provider if their student has a condition that requires the administration of any medication during the school day. These conditions include but are not limited to Asthma, Severe Allergies, Food Allergies, Diabetes, Seizures, etc.

Vision & Hearing Screenings

Vision and Hearing screenings are conducted for WEPS students in school according to the Colorado Department of Education guidelines.

Why are vision and hearing screenings important?

The first few years of a child's life are critical in the development of good vision and hearing. Children should have their vision checked for issues such as misaligned eyes, and problems that need correction with eyeglasses. Hearing screening is is critical to identify and remove potential significant barriers to learning. To read, write, listen and speak, students must have a firm foundation of language.

Young children often compensate for vision and hearing problems so well that parents, teachers, and pediatricians are unaware of a problem.

Dental Screening and Care

Hand Washing Protocol

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce germs and avoid getting sick!!!

Hand Washing vs. Hand Sanitizers in Schools ~

If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizers quickly reduce germs on hands, but they do not eliminate all types of germs and might not remove harmful chemicals, pesticides and metals. Hand sanitizers are also not effective for killing food allergens so handwashing is preferred after eating during the school day and whenever possible.

Always wash with soap and water after using the toilet.

How should you wash your hands?

  • Wet hands with clean water, apply soap and lather your hands, rubbing together with soap.

  • Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.

  • Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds - sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice

  • Rinse well under clean running water

Concussion Awareness