Nursing/Medical Division - School Services - School Nursing

Public Health Nurses provide health screenings, educational programs, and case management for children with special health care needs covered by the BCMH program in most Huron County schools throughout the school year. Nurses review children’s immunization records to ensure that those vaccines required for school have been received. The Public Health Nurse meets with parents of incoming preschool and kindergarten students to review the child’s health record.

Children who will be attending kindergarten in the fall are required to have certain immunizations. Your school nurse will review your child’s record and discuss needed vaccines with you at the kindergarten screening/registration. The Huron County General Health District has many appointments available for you at our 5 Huron County locations. Please contact us at 419-668-1652 x 252 or 888-694-2443 x 252 to schedule an appointment.

We accept all Medicaid and each injection is $10.00. There is also a $20.00 office charge. No child is turned away for Vaccines For Children (VFC) vaccines if their family is unable to pay for the shots. For families covered by private insurance, we can give you a receipt for the vaccines given for you to turn into your insurance company.

"Kindergarten shots" are often stressful for children of this age. The Registered Nurses at the Huron County General Health District recommend that you be very matter of fact about the need for the shots with your child. You may want to prepare them by using these 'talking points':

• "The shots are needed so you don’t get sick."
• "Sometimes the shots hurt a little bit; but it’s over very quick and mom/dad will give you a big hug when you’re all done."
• "Mom/Dad will be right with you when you get your shots/pokes."
• "It’s ok to cry."
• "The Nurses will have a sticker for you when you’re all done."

Most adults are not up to date on their immunizations. We can schedule a parent’s tetanus booster at the same time as the child’s shots. Many times seeing a parent get a shot first can lessen the child’s fear.

Most children require 3 to 5 shots at this visit and usually these are given in the thigh and the back of the arms. Please feel free to call and ask to speak to the nurse on call if you have questions about the vaccinations or about how to prepare your child.

Children are screened for vision troubles in Kindergarten and in grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Children may also be screened if they are on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or at any time at the request of the parent or teacher. Parents or guardians of children who do not pass a vision screening receive a written referral and request to have the child’s vision evaluated by a vision specialist. Families may choose to take children to their private eye doctor or may choose to attend one of the Pediatric Vision clinics hosted by the Huron County General Health District. Please contact us at 419-668-1652 x 255 for more information or contact your child’s school nurse.

Children are screened for hearing troubles in Kindergarten and in grades 1, 3, 5, and 9. Children may also be screened if they are on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or at any time at the request of the parent or teacher. Parents or guardians of children who do not pass a hearing screening receive a written referral and request to have the child’s hearing evaluated by a physician or other hearing specialist. Families may choose to take children to their doctor or may choose to attend one of the Pediatric Hearing clinics hosted by the Huron County General Health District. Please contact us at 419-668-1652 x 255 for more information or contact your child’s school nurse.

Children are screened for scoliosis (a curvature of the spine) in grades 6 and 7 for girls and in grades 8 and 9 for boys. Children may also be screened at any time at the request of the parent. The school may notify the parents or guardians prior to the scoliosis screening and children may wear a tank top or halter top under their usual shirt. In order to properly conduct the screening, the nurses must be able to see the child’s spine and shoulder blades. Children are screened with same sex classmates in small groups with two or more nurses. Parents or guardians of children who do not pass a scoliosis screening receive a written referral and request to have the child’s posture evaluated by a physician or other orthopedic specialist. Families may choose to take children to their doctor or may choose to attend one of the Pediatric Orthopedic clinics. Please contact us at 419-668-1652 x 255 for more information or contact your child’s school nurse.

See the Vaccines for Teens document

Form: requirements for school entry