My name is David Goettl. The students and staff call me Nurse Dave. I've been the Nurse at Canyon Springs since April of 2008. My previous 21 years were spent as a nurse in the military. As you can imagine, my military career has provided me with years of experience in trauma, emergency room, intensive care, and operating units around the world.
My goal is to provide comprehensive care for our students and staff in the school setting, to minimize absenteeism, and promote healthy life style behaviors and choices.
It's my honor and a pleasure to be your nurse at Canyon Springs,
David Goettl RN, BSN
Virtual Office Hours M-TH 1-3PM e-mail for an appointment at: david.goettl@dvusd.org
During the 1st month of school, you will be receiving an email with a link to update your student's demographic information . Please list all contact numbers including the names and numbers of those persons we can call if we are unable to contact you. Take this opportunity to update any of your child's medical conditions and medications they are taking.
Medications
** NEW this year - 2019. All medications prescribed by a Doctor now require a Doctor's note to accompany the medication in a pharmacy labled container/box. If your child needs to take medication during the school day, complete a medication consent form (available in my office) and provide the medication in the original container. Do not send the medication with your child to school! No medications are allowed on campus with the exception of epi-pens and inhalers. If your child needs to keep an epi-pen and/or inhaler with them, there is a separate form to complete. I always recommend that all medications are kept in the Health Office so they are always accessible during an emergency. The last thing we want to have to do is search the campus looking for a backpack, checking lockers, desks etc. when you really need one of these two medications.
Medications are not stored in the Health Office over the summer break. Any medications not picked up within 2 days after school is dismissed for the summer will be discarded.
Physical Education Excuses
Students requesting to be excused from PE must bring a note signed by their parent to the Nurse. The Nurse will then write an "excused from PE" pass for the student to take to PE. Any request for three or more consecutive PE excuses must be accompanied by a Physician's written order. PE teachers will be informed of the length of excuse, and any accommodations that need to be made for your child. If your child has a health condition that causes him/her to miss PE class frequently, a doctor's note may be requested.
Hearing and Vision
Hearing and Vision Screenings will be done annually for the following student groups: Pre-School, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, 7th Grade, all new students registering who have not been previously enrolled within Deer Valley Unified School District and and all students with and IEP in place.
First-aid and medical care provided by the school nurse is mainly for illnesses or injuries that occur at school during the school day.
The Health Office is not set to function like a doctor's office and shouldn't be used as one.
The nurse is qualified to collaborate with you and your child's physician to provide an educational environment in which your child can learn and thrive. The nurse does not make medical diagnoses, prescribe treatments or medications, but can provide treatments and administer medications you bring in that are prescribed by a physician with a doctor's order.
Please remember, cell phones are not to be used during school hours and if your child should call you on their phone complaining of illness, tell them to check in with me. This reduces a lot of miscommunication and allows for an evaluation and documentation of the visit.
1.School is no place for a sick child. Please do not send your children to school if:
- they have a fever - they have vomited within the last 24 hours - they have any diarrhea in the last 24 hours - they have any of the symptoms listed below.
Children should be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school, regardless of how they feel. If your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease such as strep throat or pink eye, s/he must have been on antibiotic treatment (and free of fever) for 24 hours prior to returning to school. Also, please notify the school office or school nurse of any diagnosed communicable disease so that other parents can be notified.
Signs/symptoms of illness: - Fever (oral temp of 100.0 or more) - Diarrhea, any loose stools - Red, watery eyes, pus in corners - Constant sneezing and/or deep cough, constant runny nose - Unexplained rash - Headache - Nausea or vomiting - Swelling of the neck or face - Flushed face or paleness - Very sore throat - Painful earache
2. Please Do Not send a sick child to school for the school nurse to decide whether they should be in school. If in doubt, call your family physician. School nurses can assess and refer, but we do not diagnose, and will always refer to your physician if in doubt.
3. Returning to School If your child has a temperature in the health office of 100 degrees or greater, policy is that they will be sent home. Any child with an undiagnosed rash will be sent home and should remain out of school until all symptoms are gone or a physician verifies (with a written note) that the child is not contagious and is well enough to return to school. If your child is sent home by the school nurse due to fever, vomiting or diarrhea, they may not return to school for at least 24 hours even if they are feeling better.
It's important that parents follow these procedures. It will prevent the spread of contagious diseases, and safe guard the wellness of the other students and staff that would come in contact with an ill child.
Hand-washing is absolutely the best defense against the spread of germs. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water is the best method. Do not hesitate to call your physician if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child.
4. Physical Education Excuses Students requesting to be excused from PE must bring a note signed by their parent to the Nurse. The Nurse will then write an "excused from PE" pass for the student to take to PE. Any request for three or more consecutive PE excuses must be accompanied by a Physician's written order. PE teachers will be informed of the length of excuse, and any accommodations that need to be made for your child. If your child has a health condition that causes him/her to miss PE class frequently, a doctor's note may be requested.
Arizona State Law requires that to register and attend a public school, written proof of compliance with the State's required immunizations or a completed waiver form are to be on file at the school of attendance.
(waiver forms are available upon request from the front office staff or the nurse).
**NEW for 2019**
No matter what Grade your student is in, once they turn 11 years old, the State of Arizona is requiring students to get their Tdap and Meningitis Immunizations.
If you are unsure of the requirements for immunizations, see your doctor, visit the school health center, or call the Maricopa County Health Dept. at 602-506-6767, OR 602-263-8856 for locations of clinics and hours of operation.
The Links below outline Arizona's Immunization Requirements:
For Childcare, Preschool and Kindergarten in 2014-2015:
Asthma A child with asthma has rights under the law. HB 2229 (Asthma Rescue Medication Bill) was signed on 4/11/05 and "allows for the possession and self-administration of prescription medication for breathing disorders by the pupil who has prescribed the medication by a licensed health care professional if the name is on the handheld inhaler device . . ." Yearly written permission from the parent is required (available thru the nurse's office).
Anaphylaxis & Allergic Reactions A child with food or other potentially severe allergies has similar rights. SB 1309 was signed 5/11/05 and allows pupils who have been diagnosed with anaphylaxis, by a specified licensed health care provider, to carry and self-administer emergency medications, including auto-injectable epinephrine, while at school and school-sponsored activities . . ." Yearly written permission from the parent is required (available thru the nurse's office).
Canyon Springs has over 60 students with food allergies. You can find these children in every grade and in every classroom on our campus. For this reason our campus classrooms are all nut free and outside food for individual parties and celebrations (i.e. birthdays) is not allowed. Parents who prepare a lunch at home and send it to school with their child can "pack" whatever you choose, but packed lunches will only be eaten in the dining hall. Our school prepared lunches are nut free and we provide a "nut free" table in our dining area where parents may elect to have their children eat if they choose.
Today, we know concussions can have serious consequences. Especially if a person has more than one or repeated head injuries. A person who is experiencing a concussion does not always recognize that they've had an injury. So it's important we know what to look for and when to seek a medical evaluation. Here are two links to national recognized medical facilities in AZ that deal specifically with head trauma.
