Guidance

The school counselor is here to help students.  A student may sign up for an appointment.  A pass will then be sent to let the student know when his/her appointment has been scheduled. 

Parents may want to talk with teachers or a counselor concerning grades, adjustment problems, course requirements, or other areas of concern.  They may make an appointment with the counselor by calling the school.

Hospital/Homebound (HHB) Services

The HHB program provides academic instruction and other services provided to eligible students who are confined at home or in a health care facility for periods of time that would prevent normal school attendance based upon certification of need by the licensed physician or licensed psychiatrist who is treating the student for the presenting diagnosis.

• HHB Services are available to students who need to be absent from school for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive days because of a non-communicable disease or illness.
• HHB Services must be requested through the school office by the student and parent/guardian.
• A completed written medical referral form signed by a licensed physician or licensed psychiatrist who is currently treating the student for the diagnosis presented must be submitted to the LEA for HHB services to be considered.
• Following approval of HHB services, a meeting will be required including the student, parent/guardian, administration, and all classroom teachers to develop an Educational Service Plan (ESP), discuss services and expectations. The ESP shall include a school re-entry plan.
• A student who is on the Hospital Homebound Program is counted present in school. Work is assigned by the classroom teachers.

O.C.G.A. 160-4-2-.31 (effective 11/24/09)

School Nurse

Regina Cook, RN

The school nurse is available on a daily basis to provide care for students’ basic health care needs.

Students who need to see the nurse should ask his or her teacher to contact the office to have the student's name put on the sign-up sheet. The nurse will contact the student when it is his or her turn.

Medications

• All medications will be dispensed through the Nurse’s office.
• Medication will only be dispensed with written permission and instructions either from the parent/guardian or physician.
• All medications must be kept in the original container with proper identification, and should be brought to the office immediately upon arrival on campus.
• Students should not keep any medicine with them, except asthma inhalers as deemed necessary by student’s doctor or school nurse.

"No Nit" Policy

Irwin County Schools continue to enforce a “No Nit Policy” and the National Pediculosis Association recognizes this policy “as the public health standard intended to keep children lice free, nit free, and in school.”

The No-Nit Policy simply means the student is temporarily dismissed from school until hair is free of lice and nits before returning to school. Close contacts, family members, bed mates should be examined and treated only if they are also infested. After an infested student has been treated at home and then checked by their health care provider/health dept., they may return to school with a “No Nit Clearance Note” from their provider, which must be submitted to the main office before class.

Head Lice 101

Medical Forms

Authorization for Self-Administration of Asthma Medication
Authorization to Give Medication at School
Student Asthma Action Card
Child Asthma Control Test
Child Asthma Control Test (Spanish)
Adult Asthma Control Test
Adult Asthma Control Test (Spanish)

 

 

Gifted Education

In order for a student to qualify for the gifted program, three of the four categories below must be met:

• Mental Ability - 96th percentile
• Achievement - 90th percentile on total battery or total math or total reading
• Creativity - Standardized test-90th percentile total battery or three or more school generated products/performances with a score of 90 or above on a scale of 1-100
• Motivation - GPA at or above 3.5(on a 4.0 scale) over the previous two years or standardized motivational rating scale with a score of  90 or above on a scale of 1-100

Students in grades K-12 in the Irwin County School District who demonstrate a high degree of intellectual, academic and/or creative ability are provided with special instructional services by the Program for Gifted Students.  Eligibility criteria for placement are determined by the State Board of Education.  Referrals for consideration for eligibility for gifted services may be made by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self and other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities.

For a summary of eligibility criteria or for further information about Irwin County’s Program for Gifted students, please contact the gifted education teacher(s) at your child’s school or Dr. Stacie Howard, system Gifted Program Coordinator, at 468-9510.  The Irwin County School System Gifted Manual is also available on the Irwin County School System website.