My name is Petra Diaz, and I am a proud alumna of Galena Park High School. I have been an LVN for 30 years, including almost 15 years of service at Galena Park Middle School.

As the school nurse, my primary goal is to support your child's health and well-being while they are at school. This page includes important information, reminders, and resources to help ensure students stay healthy, safe, and ready to learn each day. I am dedicated to collaborating with parents and families to promote the health and safety of all students throughout the school year.

My office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please contact me during these times if you have questions or need assistance. If your child has a medical condition or health concern, please contact me at 832-386-1706, by email at ppdiaz@galenaparkisd.com, or stop by the clinic. I am honored to serve the Galena Park community and look forward to partnering with you to support your child's health and success at school.

Medication:

 If your child needs to take medication during school hours, please bring:

• The medication in the original pharmacy container/box with the pharmacy label.
• The doctor's written order is required:
  • If they have asthma, they will need an Asthma Action Plan.
  • If they have a Food Allergy, they will need a Food Allergy Action Plan & Nutrition M.D. plan. Please click on the link for the English or Spanish version.
  • If they have seizures, they will need a seizure action plan. Please click on the link.
  • If the medication is over-the-counter, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, an M.D. must sign a form, and you must bring the medication to the clinic with the pharmacy label and/or the original box.
  • If you can't print from the link, please call 832-386-1706, and I can send a copy home with your child, or you can ask the M.D. to complete the form during your child’s office visit.

Remember, for the safety of all children at school, students may not carry any medicine (even cough drops) while on school campus.

Your child CANNOT bring medication to school; a parent must drop it off with the nurse.

IT IS IMPORTANT to notify the nurse if your child has any allergies or other medical changes that arise during the school year.

Doctor’s letters are required yearly for any food and milk allergies. Your doctor may recommend keeping an EpiPen at school. Must notify the school nurse.

Immunizations:

A student must be fully immunized against certain diseases and/or claim an exemption due to reasons of conscience; a student's parent or legal guardian must request, sign, and submit an official affidavit form to the child's school. The affidavit must be renewed every 2 years, and the original must be given to the school nurse.

 No student may be enrolled in any school in Galena Park ISD unless he/she is immunized and up to date.

 Please see our district handbook for detailed information.

 Illness:

To ensure the health and safety of all students, exclude any students who exhibit vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever >100.0 F the morning of school or the night before school. Students may return to school as follows:

•  Fever-free (<100.0 F) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin).
•  Food and liquids have been tolerated for at least 24 hours without vomiting and/or diarrhea and without using medication to relieve symptoms.
•  Students diagnosed with a contagious illness being treated with prescription medication must complete at least 24 hours of the prescribed dosage before returning to school.

Change of Clothes:

Please pack an extra set of clothing, including underwear and socks, in a plastic bag in your child's backpack. Also, please note that flat, closed-toe shoes with Velcro or laces are much safer than sandals and flip-flops and help to prevent injuries. 

Lice:

Head lice are very common among children. Although it is not an illness or disease, it spreads easily through head-to-head contact during play, sports, nap time, and when children share things like brushes, combs, hats, and headphones.

The district, along with the CDC and the American Pediatric Association, does not require or recommend removing students from school because of lice or nits.

If careful observation indicates that a student has head lice, the school nurse will contact the student’s parent to discuss a treatment plan using an FDA-approved medicated shampoo or cream rinse that may be purchased from any drug or grocery store. After the student undergoes one treatment, the parent should contact the school nurse to discuss the treatment used. The nurse can also offer additional recommendations, including subsequent treatments, how best to get rid of lice, and how to prevent lice from returning.

The district will notify parents of elementary school students in an affected classroom, grade level, or campus without identifying the student with lice.

More information on head lice can be obtained from the DSHS website, Managing Head Lice in School Settings and at Home." 

Injury/Surgery:

If they have been injured or recently had surgery and must avoid strenuous physical activity, the parent must send a note to the school to excuse the child from PE and/or recess. Please have a physician complete the form and submit it to the school nurse.

Additional Information:

Please encourage your child to start each day with a healthy breakfast. Look at the lunch menu with your child and encourage healthy choices. Because more children are being diagnosed with food allergies, students may not share food at school. Parents, please consider that other students in the class or grade may have certain food allergies when packing lunch for students. Common food allergies are nuts (peanuts-including peanut butter, almonds, pecans, etc.), seafood (shrimp, crawfish, fish), egg (including ingredients containing eggs such as baked goods like cake/cupcakes and cookies), soy (such as soy milk or soy sauce), and milk.

Adequate sleep contributes to a student’s overall health and well-being. Children who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk for many health issues. The CDC recommends children from 6–12 years get 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours. Please click the link for more information. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/sleep.htm

Daily physical activity can help children build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health issues. Please click the link for more information. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm

Handwashing is an easy, effective way to help prevent the spread of illness. Use soap and water after using the restroom; before and after eating; after sneezing or coughing; and after touching an animal or any garbage. Handwashing tips from CDC: Please click the link for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/features/handwashing/

Wellness Plan: 

The school nurse and other staff members develop the campus wellness plan. Please click on Wellness Plan.

If you are interested in developing, implementing, and evaluating the wellness policy and plan, please contact the Department of Student Support Services at 832-386-1033 or the school nurse at 832-386-1706.

Hoping for a Safe, happy, and HEALTHY year for everyone.