Health and Wellness

Information and Opt-Out for Positive Prevention PLUS curriculum

Information and Opt-Out for Positive Prevention PLUS curriculum

For many years, Tulsa Public Schools has partnered with Youth Services Tulsa and the Tulsa Health Department to provide the Positive Prevention PLUS curriculum to secondary students. This evidence-based curriculum provides students with the knowledge necessary to reduce their risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and teen pregnancy. The curriculum includes the discussion of abstinence as the only 100% effective method of prevention.

Student participation is voluntary. Whether or not the student participates in the Positive Prevention PLUS! curriculum, is the choice of their parent or guardian. Your student’s course grade will not be affected, if they do not wish to participate in the program. You can elect to remove your child from this program at any time with an opt-out form. You can elect to remove your child from this program at any time by filling out an opt-out form and returning it to the Positive Prevention PLUS site coordinator at your child’s school.

Information and Opt-Out Forms

Click here for more information about the Positive Prevention PLUS! curriculum.

a school nurse takes the an elementary student's temperature

Great school communities start with safe and healthy students engaged in joyful learning. We work to ensure that schools and families have the appropriate supports and resources to keep each child healthy and happy.

Sleep and Exercise

The most prevalent health problems associated with low academic achievement in students is lack of sleep and exercise. Most children need at least nine hours of restful sleep each night. Physical activity has been proven to help children develop social skills, improve mental health, avoid obesity, and inhibit risk-taking behaviors.

Nurses and Health Assistants

All schools have a health assistant or registered nurse available to address any health issues that may arise with our students and to work with our families so our students are healthy and ready to learn.

Please visit the Safety page for information on COVID-19 safety protocols.

Wellness Care Line

We want to make sure that Tulsa students and families have access to the support services they need to stay safe and healthy. To help you with supports such as referrals to mental health services, food and housing assistance, and other social services, we have launched a Wellness Care Line. These services are confidential, free of charge, and available in English and Spanish.

Wellness Care Line: 918-746-6130

Open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Supporting students and parents with referrals for mental health services, community resources for basic needs and social services (food, shelter, clothing), and supports for students with special needs.

Queremos asegurarnos de que los estudiantes y las familias de Tulsa tengan acceso a los servicios de asistencia para mantener su seguridad y bienestar. Por este motivo, hemos lanzado un y la Línea de Servicios de Asistencia y Bienestar para ayudar a nuestros estudiantes y sus familias a que puedan obtener referencias para servicios de salud mental y ayuda con alimentos y vivienda. Estos servicios son confidenciales, gratuitos y están disponibles en inglés y en español.

Línea de Servicios de Asistencia y Bienestar: 918-746-6130

Atención de lunes a viernes de 8:30 a.m. a 5 p.m.

Ayudamos a estudiantes y padres de familia a obtener referencias para servicios de salud mental, recursos comunitarios de necesidades básicas tales como comida, vivienda, ropa.

Immunizations

Requirements

Vaccines Required to Attend School in Oklahoma: 2023-24 School Year

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR

Grade Level	Required Immunizations with Cumulative Doses required	Recommended Immunizations
Pre-K	4 DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) 1 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) 1 Varicella (chickenpox) 3 IPV (polio) 2 Hep A (hepatitis A) 3 Hep B (hepatitis B)	Seasonal influenza (flu) 2nd varicella at 4 years old IPV (Polio) on or after 4th birthday
Kindergarten - 6th	5 DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) 2 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) 1 Varicella (chickenpox) 4 IPV (polio) 2 Hep A (hepatitis A) 3 Hep B (hepatitis B	Seasonal influenza (flu) 2nd varicella at 4 years old IPV (Polio) on or after 4th birthday
7th - 12th	1 Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) 5 DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) 2 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) 1 Varicella (chickenpox) 4 IPV (polio) 2 Hep A (hepatitis A) 3 Hep B (hepatitis B)	Seasonal influenza (flu) 2-3 HPV (human papillomavirus) 1-2 MCV4 (meningococcal ACWY) 2-3 Men B (meningococcal serotype B)

Questionnaire- Immunization Contraindications

Where to Get Immunizations

Tulsa City County Health Department provides no cost immunizations for non-insured students or those covered under Sooner Care or medicaid.

Our registered nurses can also give immunizations to qualified students at their school site. During summer enrollment, the Caring Van will be at the TPS Enrollment Center providing free immunizations to students. Please check back for specific dates.

Exemption

Oklahoma law requires evidence of adequate immunizations for each child attending school. Children with specific medical contraindications to any immunizations may be allowed to attend if the medical reason is signed by a licensed physician and submitted to the school. Parents may apply for an exemption based on religious or personal beliefs. Exemption forms can be obtained from the Health & Wellness office, TPS Enrollment Center, Room 230.

Can my child take medication at school?

All medications taken at school, even non-prescription, must be turned in to the school health clinic.
Parents must submit the Authorization for the Administration of Medication by Designated School Personnel form for any medication to be dispensed.
(Autorización Para Administración De Medicina Por Personal Designado De La Escuela)

Medication Reminders:

A parent/guardian must submit a medication authorization form each year for all medications, including inhalers. If there is a prescription change, you must submit a new form.
Prescription medications must be clearly labeled with the student’s name, date, instructions for administration and the physician name.
Non-prescription medications (over-the-counter) must be in the original container with instructions for administration, and labeled with the student’s name.
Students, who are minors, may not transport controlled medications such as Ritalin.
For all medications carried by the student, a self-administration form must be completed. The student’s physician or dentist must sign the form.
Medications left in the school health clinic after the last official day of classes will be discarded according to district policy.

*WE WILL NOT ACCEPT EXPIRED MEDICATIONS!

For questions, or a copy of the medication policy, please contact your school nurse or health assistant.

Emergency Instructions - Injectable Medications

Insulin

Insulin Administration Record

Should I keep my child home from school?

Your child should stay home from school if they meet any of the following criteria:

A fever of 100 degrees or higher (fever must be gone for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before sending back to school)
A severe or persistent cough
Diarrhea or vomiting (keep home until 24 hours after the last episode)

General Guidelines on When to Keep Your Child at Home
(Guía general sobre cuando dejar que sus hijos se queden en casa si están enfermos)

Nutrition and allergen info

Hearing and Vision

Student Classes

We provide informational classes for our students. Parents are always welcome to view the content of these presentations before we present them to their student. Parents may request that their student not attend the presentation. Examples of classes are:

Hand washing for kindergarten students
Hygiene classes
Growth and development for 5th grade
HIV information for 5th, 7th, and 10th grades

Additional classes may be provided based upon school request.

Information and Opt-Out Forms

Click here for more information about the Positive Prevention PLUS! curriculum.

About Your School Health Clinic

(Información sobre la clínica de salud de la escuela de su hijo)

Health personnel follow protocols, procedures, and policies developed and/or approved by the director of health services, school board, superintendent or his/her designee. Health assistants and designated staff are supervised, on health related issues, by a registered nurse (RN) and the director of health services.

In order to assist your child with health related needs, you should inform health personnel of:

specific needs, limitations, restrictions or areas of concern indicated by the doctor, dentist, licensed healthcare facility, or parent
all immunizations, boosters, or restrictions obtained from licensed health care providers
changes in eye exams and any restriction limitations or accommodations needed
medications (prescription and non-prescription) routinely taken at home or school. For medications taken at school, the appropriate forms must be completed, the medication provided by the parent, guardian, or person responsible for student’s care.
absences from school. For your child’s safety, call the school office daily to report absences. If your child is absent three or more days, please all or send a note to the school health clinic before the first class, and
a phone number and emergency number where parent, guardian, or person responsible for student’s care can be reached should be on file in the clinic. The health personnel should be immediately notified of changes.

If you have questions or concerns related to your child’s health, contact the school health clinic.

Treatment/Transport for my Child

Treatment

Your child may receive treatment while at school or on a field trip. The forms below are required to receive treatment.

Transport

My Child's Health Conditions

Health Tips for Parents

Health Tips

Health Flyer for Parents printable flyer

(FOLLETO INFORMATIVO DE SALUD PARA PADRES)

When students miss too many days of school, they fall behind and struggle to keep up with their classmates. Whether the days missed is due to illness, truancy or for any other reason, the end result for the student is the same—learning time is lost. Children and adolescents will get sick at times and may need to stay at home, but we want to work with you to help minimize the number of days your student misses school.

Missed Days Add Up Quickly!

Just a few missed days a month adds up to several school weeks in a year.
Both excused and unexcused absences can make it more difficult for your child to keep up with other students, especially in math and reading.
Kindergarten and first grade are critical for your child. Missing school during these early years makes it more difficult for children to learn in later years and they often have trouble reading by the end of third grade.

Work with Your Child and Your School

As the parent, be strong with your child and don’t let your child stay home when it is not necessary. This will help your child succeed.
If your child has a chronic disease, please provide the school health clinic with medical information. The School Nurse will develop an Individualized Health Plan, based upon medical information.
Be sure to provide the clinic with all supplies your child needs for management of their health condition.
Keep an open line of communication with school staff and teachers. The more the school knows about your child’s health, the better prepared everyone will be to work together for your child.

Helpful Ideas:

Make appointments with the doctor or dentist in the late afternoon so your child misses as little school as possible.
If you child must miss school, make sure you get his or her homework assignments and follow up to see if the work is completed and turned in.
Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and tell school staff why your child will be out and for how long.
Be prepared to get a doctor’s note when requested by school personnel.
If you need medical advice after business hours, most doctors’ offices have answering services 24 hours a day to assist you.
If your child has an emergency, call 911.

Foot Care

General Foot Hygiene

Bathe feet every night with warm water and soap. Rinse well and dry carefully, especially between the toes. Then powder with foot or body powder.
Wear clean socks every day. Alternate pairs of shoes each day, if possible, so that each pair has 24 hours to dry.
Canvas and rubber shoes tend to aggravate athletes foot.

Athletes Foot

If there is a break in the skin or peeling occurs, and you are told you have athletes foot, you should see your doctor, or there are several good medications available in drug stores (e.g., Desenex Foot Powder), that do not need a prescription. Follow instructions as directed.

Usual procedure for treating athletes foot is:

A.M. Care

Wash feet with soap and water, and dry thoroughly.
Powder the feet, being sure all areas, especially between the toes, are dusted well.
Clean socks.

P.M. Care

Wash feet with soap and water.
Dry thoroughly.
Apply medication to all sore areas.
Powder inside of shoes, tipping from side to side to distribute powder

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are caused by a virus infection and thus can spread from person to person. This germ is no different than the common warts on fingers. Because of the greater thickness of skin on the sole of the feet, the warts are more painful and also more resistant to treatment. If over-the-counter measures are ineffective, you should consult your doctor regarding treatment. If your child has athletes foot or plantar warts, a gym excuse will be given to him/her excluding the student from swimming or showers until feet are clear. The excuses may be given for one week to 10 days, depending on the severity of the case. When the excuse expires, the student should report to the nurse for a re-check. If the condition is healed, a permit will be given to resume physical education activities. If the condition is still present, a note will be sent to the parent suggesting further treatment.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are becoming a common problem, however they are not known to spread disease. The home of any person can be infested by bed bugs, regardless gender, race, or economic status. If a suspected bed bug is found on a student, the following protocol will be followed:

The student will not be sent home. The guardian will be notified.
The student will be temporarily removed from the classroom. An inspection of clothing and belongings will be done in a confidential and private area.
The bug will be sent to a pest management company. If positive identification is made, appropriate remediation action will be taken.

See Bed Bug Protocol

Lice

Lice can be found on anyone of any age, race, gender or socioeconomic class. Having head lice is not an indication of insufficient hygiene or poor living conditions. All schools are screened on an as-needed basis.

If lice is identified on a student, non-prescriptive head lice shampoo is available at a low cost through the Health and Wellness office, TPS Enrollment Center, Room 230.

See Head Lice Policy

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Burroughs students run across the school yard

Contact Us

Kendra Gill
Manager of School Nursing

Enrollment Center Room 230
918-746-6364
gillke@tulsaschools.org

Counseling

To report a student or school safety concern, please call 918-480-SAFE or use the online reporting system, TIPS.

*Reports made through TIPS may be made anonymously.

smiling elementary girl spinning a hula hoop

Resources in Tulsa County

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program

The Tulsa Health Department’s Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) educates young adults in responsible and informed decision-making about sexual activity. The goal of the program is to prevent teen births and sexually transmitted infections. PREP works with schools in Tulsa County, especially those that have the highest teen birth rates, in an effort to influence change and increase education.

For more information about PREP, please call Amy Brice at 918-595-4467.

Child Guidance

Child Guidance provides specialized assistance to families that include young children with challenging behaviors including audiology services, social-emotional skills, sleep issues, and speech-language pathology services.

Charges for services are based on family size and income. SoonerCare and some private insurances are accepted. Clients are not refused services if they are unable to pay. Interpreter services in Spanish are provided.

Immunizations

The Tulsa Health Department provides age appropriate immunizations according to recommended guidelines for children and adults. Children through age 18 are eligible to receive vaccines at no charge through the Vaccines for Children program if any of the following apply: they are uninsured, Native American, Native Alaskan, or their insurance policy does not cover vaccines.

Learn more.

Hearing Screening & Services

Child Guidance currently provides audiology services for clients from birth to 21 years old. Charges for services are based on your family size and income. SoonerCare and some private insurances are accepted. You will not be refused services if you are unable to pay. Interpreter services in Spanish are provided. Testing is recommended if your child:

Did not pass the newborn hearing screening at the hospital
Did not pass school hearing screening
Has had multiple ear infections
Has not developed speech and language appropriately or has had a regression in speech
Has sinus and allergy problems
Has a family member with hearing loss
Has difficulty paying attention or is often caught daydreaming
Has a developmental delay or other medical conditions

For more information or to request an appointment please call 918-595-4066.

Newborn Hearing Screening Follow-up Testing (birth to 5 months): If your baby referred testing in the hospital or has factors that were considered high risk for hearing loss, then it is very important that you have your baby retested.

Hearing Evaluation (6 months to 21 years old): Diagnostic behavioral hearing tests are performed. Parents or physicians who are concerned about their child’s hearing or speech development should schedule an appointment for a hearing test.

Hearing Aid and Related Services (birth to 21 years): We evaluate, select, and program amplification and/or other assistive listening devices. Children diagnosed with a hearing loss should be amplified as soon as possible to prevent regression in learning and speech development.

Hearing screenings are offered at two Tulsa Health Department locations: Central Regional Health Center - 315 South Utica and the North Regional Health and Wellness Center - 5635 North Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Tulsa Parks

For more than 100 years, Tulsa Parks has worked in collaboration with the City of Tulsa and the community to create a quality park system that meets citizens’ needs and provides equitable access to parks and green spaces as well as recreation and learning opportunities that benefit public health and well-being.

Tulsa Parks is a nationally accredited park system that manages 135 municipal parks covering roughly 8,652 acres. There are 57 miles of walking trails, two skate parks, two dog parks, and five swimming pools. There are also 212 sports fields, 94 playgrounds, 104 tennis courts, eight outdoor pickleball courts, 14 water playgrounds, 18 splash pads, 79 picnic shelters, four golf courses and eight disc golf courses.

Tulsa Parks also operates six community centers and three specialty centers located in parks throughout Tulsa. The centers are designed to meet the needs of every family member from the youngest to oldest with youth, adult, family and senior, year-round programs and services, including fitness and sports, education classes, clubs, arts and crafts, self-improvement and social events.

To learn more about available programs, find a park near you, or enroll in a program today, visit www.tulsaparks.org.

mental health resources

The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. These articles for adults will be helpful for parents, guardians, and families as they manage through this unprecedented situation.

Some ways to provide support to children regarding COVID-19 include:

Limiting your child’s exposure to COVID-19 media coverage;
Providing a calming influence to your child - remember that children look to adults to understand how to respond to the situations around them; and
Helping children address their fears by using some of the resources and guidance below.