Brandi Hemesath, Nurse
Hello my name is Brandi Hemesath, BSN, RN.
I am the school nurse for South Winneshiek School District. I provide health services to our preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school. I am looking forward to serving the health needs of your child this year.
Reminders: All 9th grade students and parents: Dental screenings must be completed and turn in ASAP.
My hours are 7:45 AM to 3:45 PM Monday through Friday.
If you need to leave a message or contact me, please call 563-532-9365. If you need to fax health information to myself at school, please fax to 563-532-9855.
To best serve the needs of your child, would you kindly notify me if your child has any health concerns I should be aware of? If your child is taking prescription medication, please complete the Prescription Medication Release Form and the Permission for Medication during school hours form by going to this page: southwinn.com
Additionally, students occasionally come to my office with headaches, cold symptoms, etc. The school keeps a limited supply of over-the-counter meds on hand for students. If you would like your child to have an over-the-counter medication, please complete, sign and return the Parental Order Form for Over-the-Counter Medications by going to this page: southwinn.com
If your child requires an over-the-counter medication on a more regular basis (for example, antihistamines), I will ask that you supply that medication since we do keep a very limited supply.
If you are unable to download and print the forms, simply contact me and I will mail them out to you.
Brandi Hemesath, BSN, RN
School Nurse at South Winneshiek Community School District
School Nurse needs to be aware of reactions to food (eg. nut or peanut allergies), bug bites, and medications and the preferred treatment, and when EMS is to be contacted. (See Allergic Reaction Plan Form) Notify Nurse, Teacher, and kitchen staff of food allergies. Adult or pediatric Epi-pens need to be provided from home for possible severe reactions at school and school activities. We have students at both centers with peanut and tree nut allergies. Please read labels before sending treats to share at school.
Alumni Immunization Records are on file and available from the South Winneshiek for a period of seven years following graduation. The school nurse can be contacted for a photo copy of the aformentioned classes or contact the health care providers utilized during your school years. Immunization records have been returned to seniors prior to graduation checkout since 1984 with a cover letter describing the significance of this important personal health document.
Our students can carry their inhalers and administer this medication to themselves. Please contact the school nurse for a form. Asthma student's family needs to provide the mask, tubing, and medication if treatments are necessary during school hours; also school/sports time inhalers.
Annual Health History Survey Online Form
This survey must be completed annually to update important emergency contact information, physician/dentist info, medications, health conditions, and other pertinant health information for your child.
302 W. Broadway, Decorah (563) 419-0962 Thursday evenings at the First United Methodist Church, between 5 and 6 pm. No restrictions set on residency or income. This clinic is first come-first served and is only open for an hour.
HF 906 Dental screening prior to age of 6 and high school: Parents must provide evidence of completion of a dental screen within 60 days of the start of school.
Kindergartners and incoming ninth grade students must submit signed official dental certificates from Iowa Dentists or Hygienists, containing the exam date to meet the new law requirement. Please take care of this mandate by Fall Registration and/or no later than first quarter. (See FREE Dental Exam opportunities - next page)
As of right now we are not accepting any clothing items for students.
Please provide your child with an application of sunscreen and bug spray for outdoor field trips.
Dial 2-1-1 or (800) 362-8255. (Language Interpretation Available) www.greatrivers211.org. Free and Confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Serves Western Wisconsin, Southeast Minnesota and Northeast Iowa. Simply dial 2-1-1 to get help with life.
Information About Area Resources: Support Groups, Drug/Alcohol Abuse, Parenting Concerns, Food Resources, Housing, many other needs.
Crisis Line Services: Suicidal Thoughts, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, Other Crisis Situations
Currently open Saturday mornings 9 - 11 a.m., 110 Main Street/alley in Calmar. Open to anyone in southern Winneshiek County needing food, personal items and household supplies.
HAWK - I is free or low-cost federal health care coverage for children and teens under the age of 19 based on family income. Call 1-800-257-8563 or go to https://hhsservices.iowa.gov/apspssp/ssp.portal to apply or request an application need info on any health or dental coverage for just 6 months.
Hawk-I dental only started March 1, 2010. Families will have the choice to apply for the full hawk-i program or hawk-i dental. Hawk-i dental will provide the same dental benefits as those provided to children enrolled in 888-472-2793 the full Hawk-I program. Children who are covered by other insurance will not be required to drop the insurance in order to be eligible for hawk-i dental. The Hawk-i dental plan covers also covers orthodontia, but it must be deemed medically necessary. There are specific requirements that must be met and pre-approval is required. Dentists and orthodontists can contact Delta Dental of Iowa at 8 for more information on the requirements.
https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/welcome-iowa-medicaid/iowa-health-link/hawki-chip
Keystone AEA Hearing Screenings are provided for students in grades 1,2, and 7. Only new students, referrals (hearing requests by parent, doctor, school staff), and those with known losses will have their hearing checked by AEA in the other grades each year. If you desire to have your child's hearing tested and they are not included in the above listing of students to be screened, parents may start the referral process by contacting the teacher, principal or school nurse.
Elementary/Secondary School Requirements - Winneshiek County Public Health conducts audits in the fall on all students immunization records. All immunizations must be up to date for student enrollment @ South Winn.
- Up to date immunization record
- Dental Screening
- Professional Eye Exam
- Physical Examination
- Lead Screening Documentation from physician
Over the Counter Medication Consent Form
This consent form must be updated annually for the school nurse to administer medication to your child. Please provide medication to the school if your child takes over the counter medication on a regular basis. The school will provide 5 doses and then will require a bottle be provided by the parent/guardian. The school keeps a very limited supply of medicine.
Please notify the school nurse if your child needs to be administered prescription medication during the school day. The Prescription Medication Release Form needs to be filled out by the parent and signed by the prescribing physician. This form can be found under the registration form link on the South Winneshiek home page. All medications must be delivered to the school in the original container and have a current label containing the prescription of the child.
It's advisable to notify the school nurse when students are on prescription medication, regardless if taken during or after school hours. The drug side effects may be apparent during school hours and will help with health assessments done by the nurse.
The School Nurse is participating in weekly county and statewide program that tracks illness-specific absenteeism. It is most helpful when you report your students absence to describe symptoms experienced to aid in determining if it's respiratory or gastric illness. The terms "sick" or "flu" are inadequate to categorize on report forms.
Not a crisis or hotline. The line is a free service of the Iowa Department of Health and answered 24 hours a day. 1-800-443-8336.
Yearly screenings are provided for elementary students by various local providers.