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Health Services

Health updates

COVID-19 vaccine clinics

In the tri-city area, 89% of COVID-19 cases involve people that are unvaccinated. If vaccinated, symptoms tend to be less severe and less likely to require hospitalization.

We are offering free COVID-19 vaccines for adults and students ages 12 and up. Families can attend our event to get vaccinated or to get booster shots if immunocompromised. 

Parents, students and staff are welcome to attend. Clinics are first come, first served. See garlandisd.net/COVIDVaccineClinics for more information.

Get your flu shot

There are several opportunities within our community for students to get the flu vaccine.  See our Immunizations page for details.

Contents

Injuries and illnesses at school
Medicine at school
Health screenings
Health resources

We empower children and parents with the knowledge necessary to promote wellness and maintain healthy lifestyles so that students are prepared for a successful academic and life experience.

Injuries and illnesses at school

Every campus has a full-time registered nurse (RN) on-site. The school clinics are equipped to provide basic first aid only. All health services staff are CPR/AED certified and have received emergency preparedness training.

If your child is seriously injured or seriously ill, we will immediately notify you or your authorized emergency contacts.

Products used in the clinic

Certain over-the-counter products are stocked in the clinic for treatment:

  • calamine lotion

  • Camphophenique

  • petroleum jelly

  • Mentholatum

  • saline eye wash

Please inform the school nurse if you do not want your child to be treated with these products.

Managing health conditions

Does your child have a chronic health problem? Are you looking for information and forms related to allergies, asthma, diabetes, and other special needs? See our managing health conditions page.

Contact your school nurse

Need contact information for the nurse at your school? Find your nurse on the contact your school nurse page.

Medicine at school

Only medication that cannot be given outside of the school day will be administered at school (i.e. mealtimes, physician designated time, four times a day or greater.) All medication taken at school must be prescribed by a doctor or dentist licensed to practice in the State of Texas. School nurses must also have a signed parent request.

Label requirements

All medication must be in the original container and properly labeled with:

  • student’s name

  • name of medication

  • dosage and times to be taken.

Giving medication to school/nurse

All medications must be deposited with the school nurse or in the school office. It is recommended that only a 30 day supply be brought to school.

It is strongly suggested that a parent deliver the medication to the clinic and remain to count the medication amount with school personnel.

Unused medication

Unused medication may be returned home with a student with written parent permission.

Over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter medications like advil and cough drops will not be administered at school unless there is:

  1. A signed doctor’s order giving specific instructions for medication administration

  2. A signed parent request

Students carrying their own medicine

Students may carry and self-administer emergency rescue medication while at school or school functions with permission from parents, physician, and school nurse.

Medication forms

Parent permission

Parent permission - Spanish

Parent permission - Vietnamese

Doctor’s orders for over-the-counter medicine

Self-carry agreement for emergency rescue medication

Health screenings

If you have any questions about any of these screenings or your child’s results, please contact your school nurse.

Vision and hearing

This screening is mandated by Texas law in grades:

  • Early Childhood (EC)
  • Prekindergarten (PK)
  • Kindergarten (KN)
  • First (01)
  • Third (03)
  • Fifth (05)
  • Seventh (07)
  • for students in other grades who are new to GISD

Parents of students who fail two vision screenings will receive a referral letter from the school nurse recommending a more comprehensive exam by an eye doctor.  Parents of students who fail the hearing screening will receive a letter from one of the school district’s audiologists recommending either additional testing at the sound booth at the GISD Administration Building (free of charge) or a more comprehensive exam by a physician.

Spinal

The Department of Health Services will administer Spinal Screening as mandated by the State of Texas Statutes.

Spinal screening is designed to detect abnormalities that may be indicative of conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, or lordosis.  This is done in a private environment by school nurses.

Parents of students who have any positive findings will receive a letter from the school nurse with recommendations.

Acanthosis Nigricans

Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is a skin discoloration that may indicate high levels of insulin in the blood which results from insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can create a potential risk for the development of Type 2 Diabetes. The skin on the nape of the neck will be visually examined.

This screening is mandated by Texas law in grades:

  • First (01)
  • Third (03)
  • Fifth (05)
  • Seventh (07)

The screening is usually done at the same time as the vision and hearing screening. If the AN marker is noted, then the student will have blood pressure, height, and weight measured individually and privately at a later date. Parents will be notified of these specific findings.

Health resources

Middle school Responsive Services Counselors

High school Responsive Services Counselors

Garland Health Department

CHIP/Children's Medicaid

Poison Control

Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline

GISD Enrollment Center Clinic

Our Enrollment Center Clinic provides a variety of health and related services to Bilingual/ESL students and their families including immunization clinics. 

GISD School Health Advisory Committee

Our School Health Advisory Committee is made up of individuals representing segments of the community, who are appointed by the school district to provide advice on the district's health education instruction.