The mission of the chemical health program is to empower students to make healthy choices that lead to academic success, social well-being, and emotional health.

Please see the following files for additional information on chemical health issues:

• Chemical Health Assessments
• What a drug problem may look like
• Resource Guide for Parents
• How can you tell if your child is using drugs?
• If you suspect your child is using drugs
• Proactive Approach to Adolescent Suicide Prevention

Contact Information
Katie Ward, Chemical Health Specialist
952-226-8783

Specific Disease Exclusion Guidelines

Few health conditions are as closely related to learning as concussions. Please alert the School Nurse should your student sustain a concussion, as there are often educational implications subsequent to a concussion.

Prior Lake Savage Area Schools require a doctor’s note (preferably from a health care professional experienced in evaluating concussions) to make school accommodations. To assist in planning for any possible accommodations, we ask that the child's health care provider complete the Returning to School After a Concussion Form  or Acute Concussion Evaluation Care Plan (if your student will need more specific accommodations during the school day).

Please review the CDC fact sheet about concussions — including signs, symptoms, and danger signs.

To view COVID-19 information and the PLSAS Safe Learning Plan, click here. 

If your student has a chronic, potentially life-threatening health condition (i.e., asthma, severe allergy, bee sting allergy, diabetes, seizures) please fill out an Emergency Action Plan and give it to the health office at your child's school. Call the school nurse prior to school starting or anytime your child’s health condition changes to ensure that appropriate health/safety measures are developed and implemented for your student.

• EAP Anaphylaxis
• EAP Asthma/Reactive Airway
• EAP Diabetes
• EAP Seizure

Prior Lake- Savage Area Schools encourages families to routinely check their child’s head for signs of lice and nits. Lice is commonly spread when children share personal items such as hats, combs, pillows, and blankets.

If a teacher suspects a student has head lice, the student will be brought to the health office for a head check. The health office will notify the parent/guardian of the affected student upon discovery of infestation. Siblings can be checked by the health office with a parent request. Children with head lice may be taken home to be treated immediately; however, students do not need to be excluded from school when they have head lice.

For more information, please review https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/headlice/headlice.html and https://www.headlice.org/comb/downloadable-resources/.

The Health Office Staff offer hearing and vision screenings each school year. Screening programs are intended to identify health problems that otherwise would not be identified until a later date, when treatment is less effective or more costly. Early detection of vision or hearing deficits is essential to optimize learning capabilities. Approximately 7.5% of school-age children have vision problems and 3-5% of children experience hearing deficits.

Mass vision screening will be done for all 1st , 4th and 7th grade students; hearing screening will be completed for all 1st and 4th grade students. Screenings are also completed periodically for students who are having difficulty learning in class or who may have symptoms of a hearing or vision deficit such as frequent headaches. If you prefer your child is not screened for vision or hearing, please contact your student’s health office.

If you do not hear from the School Nurse, you can assume that your student had no abnormal screening results for vision or hearing. Please call your school’s health office if you have concerns or questions regarding screening.

Minnesota law requires written proof of certain vaccinations for children in child care, early childhood programs, and school. However, if a child has a medical reason or if his/her parents are opposed to any or all of the vaccinations, a legal exemption is available.  For more information, contact your student's health office.

Minnesota School Immunization Requirements 

MDH Immunization Form 

If your child does not have a regular clinic, or is unable to get an appointment to update immunizations, resources are available in the community.

Park Nicollet: Barrier Free Immunization Options

Scott County: Public Health Clinic  

General Measles Information

Measles: Frequently Asked Questions 

 Measles Fact Sheet (English) 
Measles Fact Sheet (Hmong) 
Measles Fact Sheet (Somali) 
Measles Fact Sheet (Spanish) 

In the event your child is required to take medication during school hours, please complete the following form:

Prescription Medication Authorization Form
Your child’s physician must sign and complete page one. The Parent/Guardian must review and sign page two.

OTC Medication Authorization Form
The Parent/Guardian must review and sign page one. 
If dosing instruction exceeds recommendation, a physician order will be required.

Minnesota State Law requires schools to maintain a permanent health record for every child registered in the district showing immunizations and health conditions. Health information pertinent to the student’s safety and ability to learn in school is requested upon entrance into Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools and updates are requested annually. Parents are encouraged to notify the school of health problems, updated vaccines, or diagnosis of infectious disease. Information is considered confidential and shared with school personnel only as needed, and only with parent/guardian permission or where required by law.

We ask that all students/parents complete an annual update through Infinite Campus. Current students are encouraged to keep the school informed of any changes to phone numbers, addresses, emergency contact information, etc.