School Health Services : School Health : Arlington, Virginia

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School Health Services

School Health seeks to promote a healthy learning environment for all Arlington County public school students, and the opportunity to achieve a lifestyle that will lead to a satisfying and productive life. Our goal is to provide students and their families prevention and early intervention services using a public health model. School Health fully participates in the Comprehensive School Health Model.

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School Health News!

>>Winter letter to parents/guardians. Click here to read.

>>Screening for Scoliosis. Click here to learn more.

>>Let’s Get Healthy!

The beginning of the school year is a great opportunity to incorporate healthy changes and habits into your family’s daily routine. The overall health of our children is something that requires everyone’s attention and support. The nurses and clinic aides will be striving to reinforce the message during the school day along with the teachers and staff. For 5 weeks this fall (starting Monday, October 5) we will be actively promoting the Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition’s 9-5-2-1-0 for Health campaign (9 hours of sleep, 5 servings fruits and vegetables daily, 2 hour screen time limit, 1 hours physical activity per day, 0 sugary drinks). This will include a contest, plus a series of posters and clues placed around the schools designed to engage the students in a fun and positive manner. We encourage you to look at the website http://www.tippingthescales.net for hints and tips on how you and your family can become healthier and thank you for your support!

>>Spread the Word, Not the Flu! - Flu season is here, and school children are vulnerable to the flu virus. Remember to teach your children to wash their hands, cover their coughs and stay home when they are sick to fight the spread of the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children and adults to get a flu shot! Its not too late for this season. Check with your child's health provider about where to get a flu shot. For more see the Public Health immunization page. for more information.

>>Family Time: Five Meals a Week. Did you know that kids that eat meals together with their families tend to do better in school than kids that don't? Numerous studies have shown that this is just one positive outcome for kids that eat together with their families. The School Health health education committee, along with the Comprehensive School Health Committee (visit our web page), is promoting activities to encourage families to eat meals together. Check out the Health Education web page for more information and resources on eating as a family, and how to get started in your family.

Poune Siathone, School Health Aide at Wakefield High School, displays her bulletin board encouraging students and families to get started.

School Health Services

First aid and emergency care Routine medication administration
Referrals - Health and social services
Communicable disease surveillance and control
Individual student consultation
Resources for students, parents and staff
Health program planning and management
Health screening (e.g. vision and hearing)
Immunizations (middle and high schools ONLY)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Health Requirements for Entry into School

The Student's medical information (physical examination, immunizations and tuberculosis screening) should be submitted on a Physical Examination for School Entrance(PDF) form.The immunization record should list the month, day and year of immunization. See minimum Immunization Requirements for entry into school.

Documentation of tuberculosis screening may be on the above physical examination form or on the Tuberculosis Screening Certificate (PDF). This documentation must be signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurse or local health department official. The documentation must include verification of a negative risk assessment or the results of a tuberculin skin test (TST) done within the prior 12 months. Documentation of results of the TST must be submitted to the child's school.

A Request for Entrance and Health Information form (PDF) must be completed and submitted to the child's school.

Emergency Information Forms must be completed and returned to the child's school the second day of school. Remember to keep the school updated on any changes in contact information.

VHSL physical form for high school athletic eligibility (PDF) must be completed for students who plan to participate in high school sports.

For more about information about registration see APS Web page.

If your child will need medications or special procedures in school, you will need the following:

Other Forms:

Religious Exemption of Immunization

More about School Health

Ready Families Program

The Ready Families Program provides health screening, immunizations, and community referrals to non-English speaking students entering Arlington Public Schools through the Intake Center. Located on the second floor of the Clarendon Education Center, the program is staffed by a bilingual public health nurse and clinic aide, and strives to meet the needs of families new to the Arlington school system, and many times, new to the United States.

Health Appraisal Clinic

School health provides physical examinations required for school entry, participation in sports and special education evaluation for eligible students. Our staff physician, along with the school's assigned public health nurse and aide, conducts these clinics at certain middle and high schools around the county. Appointments are made through the school health clinics.

Health Education

Click to go to the health education page, where you can learn more about our year-long Health Education campaign, as well as link to information on different health topics, including illnesses, conditions, and safety tips.