School Health

Health screening, nursing, education, counseling services and medical record review for student physical exam and proper documentation of immunizations.

The School Board of Sumter County and the Sumter County Health Department are responsible for the school health program under FS s381.0056. Health services are a part of the total school health program that is carried out to appraise, protect, and promote the health of students. School health services are designed to encourage parents to devote attention to their child's health, to recognize health problems, and to utilize the services of their physician, dentist, and community health agencies. The Florida Department of Health in Sumter County and the School Board of Sumter County in conjunction with the School Health and Wellness Advisory Committee work together to assure provision of optimum health services for school children.

For more information please visit Florida Department of Health, School Health Program.

School Health & Wellness Advisory Committee (SHWAC) 

SHWAC (School Health & Wellness Advisory Committee) - The mission of the Sumter County School Health Advisory Committee and the School Board of Sumter County Wellness Committee is to promote healthy lifestyles for students, parents, staff, and community members that will lead to a lifelong commitment to healthy habits.  The mission will be accomplished through the implementation of the Sumter County School Health and Wellness Advisory Committee that will incorporate nutrition education and nutrition standards, physical activity and education, other school based activities that promote health and wellness, and health promotion for staff and community.

If you would like to join the School Health and Wellness Advisory Committee (SHWAC) please contact the School Health Coordinator at The Florida Department of Health in Sumter County at 352-569-3145.

The Sumter County School Health and Wellness Advisory Committee present the Healthy Hub: 

What Parents Need To Know About The Tdap Vaccine

While most school-required immunizations are given prior to kindergarten, Florida requires that preteens receive their Tdap vaccine prior to entering 7^th grade. This booster injection protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, which are bacterial diseases that can lead to serious complications, including death.

Each spring, the Florida Department of Health in Sumter County teams up with Sumter County Schools to offer free Tdap clinics at the middle schools for 6^th graders. Please keep an eye out for information coming home soon that will provide dates and details.

A wonderful resource for parents, is the CDC’s informational guide for parents found at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/downloads/pl-dis-preteens-parents.pdf. You can also find Florida’s school immunization requirement information at www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/immunization/children-and-adolescents/school-immunization-requirements/index.html.

If you have further questions regarding school-required vaccinations, please contact the staff at your school health clinic or Amanda L. Jones, RN, School Health Coordinator at the Florida Department of Health in Sumter County.

Help Your Children Develop Heart-Healthy Habits

With heart disease as the number one cause of death for both men and women, it is vital that we not only care for ourselves, but encourage the healthy lifestyle of our children. Diet and physical activity habits formed in childhood can easily linger into adulthood.

In a culture growing with technology, from iPhones to video games, it is increasingly common for children to spend more time in front of a screen instead of playing outside. Limit technology time and encourage them to spend 60 minutes daily enjoying a game of tag, bicycle ride, or shooting some hoops. Another idea is to create a reward system such as, for every hour of physical activity, they may earn 20 minutes of screen time.

Diet is also a key factor in preventing heart disease. To inspire kids to take interest in nutrition, allow them to take an active role at home by taking them to the farmers’ market or spending time cooking together. Teach older children and teens how to read nutrition labels by visiting https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/strategies-guidelines/nutrition-facts-label.html.

Visit https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm for more information on heart disease.

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Immunization Requirements for School, Childcare and Family Daycare

Asthma

Admission Requirements

Communicable Diseases

Concussions

Diabetes

Hand Washing

Immunizations

Lice