Before the start of each school year, please be sure to contact your school nurse and child’s teacher to discuss any health concerns your child has, including severe allergies, seizures, diabetes, asthma, and current medication. During the school year, please be sure to update the school nurse and teacher about any new or changing medical conditions or medication.
Tell Us About Your Child's Health!
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Ridgeview STEM Junior High Health Clinic is staffed by School Nurse Rachel Ross and Health Care Assistant Mindy Stilwell. Ridgeview STEM Junior High Health Clinic aims to support student success by promoting optimal wellness among our students.
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Rachel Ross | School Nurse
Contact information:
Rachel Ross
School Nurse
Phone: 614-548-1700
Fax: 614-548-1710
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Melinda Stilwell | Health Care Assistant
Contact information:
Melinda Stilwell
Health Care Assistant
Phone: 614-548-1700
Fax: 614-548-1710
Degrees and certifications:
About the School Health Clinic
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If Your Student is Sick
Any student will be sent home if he or she has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, vomiting, diarrhea, or signs and symptoms of a possible communicable disease.
Please keep students home until they remain fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication and are free of vomiting or diarrhea symptoms for 24 hours prior to returning to school. All children with suspicious rashes must be excluded from school until the rash has been determined non-contagious by a doctor.
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Immunization Requirements
Please view the Ohio Department of Health's Ohio Immunization Summary for School Attendance here. Link opens in a new window.
According to Board Policy 5320 and 5320 AG, immunizations in compliance with state law and the Ohio Department of Health are required for each student unless the parent(s) files an objection. The board of education also requires tuberculosis examinations in compliance with law.
Students eligible for kindergarten and students new to Pickerington Schools must present written evidence of similar immunizations, or written evidence to indicate that they are in the process of receiving immunizations, to be completed no later than the day of entrance. Students failing to complete immunizations within 14 days after entering are not permitted to return to school.
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Student Health Screenings
State-mandated health screenings (such as vision and hearing) are completed during the school year. Please contact your school nurse if you have concerns regarding your child and the screening process.
Vision screenings are done for all new students and those in preschool, kindergarten, and grades one, three, five, seven, and nine. Hearing screenings are performed with preschool, kindergarten, first, third, fifth, ninth, eleventh, and new students. Referrals letters are sent home if the school nurse suspects a concern or if the student fails a screening.
Vision screenings are not meant to replace comprehensive eye exams, but can help find children at risk for eye problems.
Sometimes, parents or teachers can tell if a child is having a problem. Squinting, complaining of things appearing blurry, or holding reading material close to their face may be signs. Other signs may be less obvious. Sometimes having a short attention span or losing interest in activities that require students to use their eyes for an extended period of time may signal a vision concern. Children who lose their place when reading may be having difficulty seeing. Avoiding reading, drawing, writing or other close activities may also be a sign of a vision problem. Children with vision problems may also turn their heads to the side when looking at an object in front of them to see it better.
Success in school is closely tied to eye health. The earlier a vision concern is found and treated, the better off your child will be. Please contact your child’s school nurse if you have any questions about vision and hearing screenings.
Health Services
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Administering Nonprescription Medications
This form is to request the administration of non-prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications to your child.
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Authorization for the Possession and Use of an Epinephrine Autoinjector
This form authorizes the possession and use of an epinephrine autoinjector by a student.
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Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan
FARE's Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan, formerly the Food Allergy Action Plan, outlines recommended treatment in case of an allergic reaction, is signed by a physician and includes emergency contact information.
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Immunization Requirements for Students Entering Grade 12
This form documents that a student entering grade 12 has received the recommended immunizations.
Immunization Requirements for Students Entering Twelfth Grade 24_25.pdf 42.12 KB (Last Modified on April 2, 2024) -
Immunization Requirements for Students Entering Grade 12-Nepali
ग्रेड 12 मा प्रवेश गन िवाथहका लािग प्रितरण खोपका आवकताह
Immunization Requirements for Students Entering 12th-Nepali-2023.pdf 161.89 KB (Last Modified on July 7, 2023)
2024-2025 COVID Guidelines
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COVID-19 Updated Guidelines
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CDC and ODH updated COVID guidance - Isolation on 3/01/24
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Individuals can return to normal activities when symptoms have been getting better for 24 hours.
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Individuals who have a fever as a symptom can resume normal activities when the fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
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Once the individual returns to normal activities, they should take enhanced precautions for the next five days including:
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Wearing a well-fitting mask when able
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Keeping a distance from others
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Using available test methods to inform individual actions
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Respiratory Illness Prevention Guidelines
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Please keep students home when sick. This includes all illnesses such as cold, flu, COVID, and other respiratory infections.
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Additional precautions upon returning to school:
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Physical distancing
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Masking
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Cover your cough and sneeze using your elbow or tissue
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Hand washing - wash with soap and water for 20 second or use hand sanitizer often
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