.
Health Services
Health Services
Healthy Children Learn Better,
School Nurses Make it Happen!
School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success.
Department Contacts
Mary Coronado, BSN, RN
Director of Health Services
830- 643-5783
About Health Services
School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potentials.
Consent for School Based Health Services
2026-2027 Health-Related Services Annual Notice
In accordance with Texas Senate Bill 12 and Texas Education Code (TEC) §26.0083 and §26.009, districts must provide parents with written notice detailing all health-related and health-care services offered on campus and tracking active opt-in or passive opt-out designations.
- Health-Related Services (General Wellness & Prevention – Opt-Out): Short-term, noninvasive activities designed to promote general student wellness, healthy behaviors, and readiness to learn. They include first aid, injury evaluation, and health screenings required by Texas law (vision, hearing, acanthosis, and spinal screenings). These operate on an “opt-out” basis, meaning care is provided unless a parent explicitly objects.
- Health-Care Services (Clinical & Medical Care — Strict Opt-In): Formal medical treatments (e.g., dispensing medication, medical procedures). Except in emergencies, these strictly require active, written parental “opt-in” consent and physicians’ orders before care can be delivered.
- First Aid Consent Rules: First aid is categorized as a short-term, noninvasive “health-related service.” It operates on an opt-out basis and should be provided unless a parent declines it in writing. School systems must not impose an active opt-in requirement for first aid.
- General Caretaking Allowed Without Consent: School staff must provide “general caretaking” to students, which does not require parental consent or notification. This covers minor, noninvasive actions such as applying adhesive bandages, wiping a bloody nose, cleaning up spills, or checking a student’s vital signs (such as measuring temperature for a fever or assessing blood pressure in the clinic). It also includes responding to immediate emotional distress (e.g., calming a crying student). These actions are not legally classified as health-related or health-care services.
- Statutory Health Screenings Exempt: Standard screenings required by other laws—such as vision, hearing, acanthosis, and spinal screenings—will continue to follow their existing legal notice and opt-out rules under the Texas Health and Safety Code.
Parent & Student Resources
We deeply appreciate your cooperation and support in ensuring that NBISD remains a safe, healthy, and thriving educational environment for all students. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your campus administration.
Documents & Resources
General Health Information
WHAT IS MENINGITIS?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of the disease to cause serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.
Bacterial meningitis can be caused by multiple organisms. Two common types are Streptococcus pneumoniae, with over 80 serogroups that can cause illness, and Neisseria meningitidis, with 5 serogroups that most commonly cause meningitis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Someone with bacterial meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere on the body.
The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results.
HOW SERIOUS IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?
If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, most people make a complete recovery. If left untreated or treatment is delayed, bacterial meningitis can be fatal, or a person may be left with permanent disability.
HOW CAN BACTERIAL MENINGITIS BE PREVENTED?
Bacterial meningitis cased by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis may be prevented through vaccination. Vaccination with available meningococcal vaccines offers longer-term protection and is routinely recommended for adolescents and others at increased risk.
The vaccine which protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae is called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV. There are two types of vaccinations for meningococcal disease available in the US. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Menactra® and Menveo®) available in the US provide protection against 4 of the 5 most common serogroups of N. meningitidis (serogroups A, C, W, and Y). Serogroup B vaccines (Trumenba® and Bexsero®) provides protection for the other most common serogroup, serogroup B. Meningococcal vaccinations are generally recommended for those beginning at 11-12 years of age with a booster between 16-18 years of age; however, for those persons at an increased risk for meningococcal disease the age recommended is different.
Depending on the brand and your age you may receive different number of doses. Approximately 2 weeks are required following vaccination for the development of protective antibody levels.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all infectious diseases. You may call your family doctor or local health department office to ask about meningococcal vaccine. Additional information may also be found at the web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html and the Texas Department of State Health Services(DSHS): https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/PreteenVaccines.aspx or
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/notifiable-conditions/invasive-and-respiratory-diseases-and-conditions/meningitis/bacterial-meningitis-unspecified
SOURCE:
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent flu.
Go Blue and Kick the Flu! Influenza Vaccination is the most effective method for preventing illness and reducing absenteeism. New Braunfels ISD is partnering to provide flu vaccines for our staff and students at schools. You may also consult your physician, local pharmacy or Health Department to get vaccinated!
1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others. Students and staff must be fever free (less than 100.0) for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
For more information visit the CDC.gov website or download the related CDC flyers:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has updated its recommendation regarding the three injection series of HPV vaccination in adolescents, beginning at age 11-12 years. CDC now routinely recommends two doses of HPV vaccine for 11 or 12 year old’s to prevent HPV cancers.
Why does my child need HPV vaccine?
HPV vaccine is important because it protects against cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a very common virus; nearly 80 million people—about one in four—are currently infected in the United States. About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year.
Most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems. Most HPV infections (9 out of 10) go away by themselves within two years. But, sometimes, HPV infections will last longer, and can cause certain cancers and other diseases. HPV infection can cause:
- cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva in women;
- cancers of the penis in men; and
- cancers of the anus and back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx), in both women and men.
Every year in the United States, HPV causes 30,700 cancers in men and women. HPV vaccination can prevent most of the cancers (about 28,000) from occurring
While it is rare that vaccinated individuals develop measles, it does happen. Vaccinated individuals may have an atypical clinical presentation—typically shorter rash duration or atypical rash presentation, and possible lack of fever, cough, coryza or conjunctivitis. People at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles include: infants and children <5 years, adults aged >20 years, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.
Department of State Health Services Infectious Disease Control
As a resident of Texas, you and your family have access to a statewide Prescription Assistance Program (PAP). Create and print your FREE discount prescription drug card coupon. The pharmacy coupon card will provide you with Rx medication savings of up to 75% at more than 68,000 pharmacies across the country including CVS, Walgreens and Walmart.
Create and print your FREE discount prescription drug card coupon here.
Listed below are some steps to help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses.
- Apply EPA-approved insect repellent.
- Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts
- Remove standing water in and around your home
- Cover trash cans or containers where water can collect
- Talk to your doctor if you have concerns
For additional information on Zika in Comal County visit Zika in Central Texas.
View the Zika Virus Protection and Prevention Info Sheet from TEA
The Zika informational poster from the Texas Department of Health and Human services can be found at: https://www.texaszika.org/materials/ZikaPoster11x17English.pdf
FAQ
School Health Advisory Council
The purpose of the New Braunfels ISD School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is to advise the Board of Trustees on various subjects as they relate to the health of students, parents, teachers, employees and community members of New Braunfels ISD.
SHAC Summary Reports Archive
The purpose of the New Braunfels ISD School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is to advise the Board of Trustees on various subjects as they relate to the health of students, parents, teachers, employees and community members of New Braunfels ISD.
Health Services
Health Services
Healthy Children Learn Better, School Nurses Make it Happen!
School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success.
Consent for School Based Health Services
About Health Services
2026-2027 Health-Related Services Annual Notice
In accordance with Texas Senate Bill 12 and Texas Education Code (TEC) §26.0083 and §26.009, districts must provide parents with written notice detailing all health-related and health-care services offered on campus and tracking active opt-in or passive opt-out designations.
- Health-Related Services (General Wellness & Prevention – Opt-Out): Short-term, noninvasive activities designed to promote general student wellness, healthy behaviors, and readiness to learn. They include first aid, injury evaluation, and health screenings required by Texas law (vision, hearing, acanthosis, and spinal screenings). These operate on an “opt-out” basis, meaning care is provided unless a parent explicitly objects.
- Health-Care Services (Clinical & Medical Care — Strict Opt-In): Formal medical treatments (e.g., dispensing medication, medical procedures). Except in emergencies, these strictly require active, written parental “opt-in” consent and physicians’ orders before care can be delivered.
- First Aid Consent Rules: First aid is categorized as a short-term, noninvasive “health-related service.” It operates on an opt-out basis and should be provided unless a parent declines it in writing. School systems must not impose an active opt-in requirement for first aid.
- General Caretaking Allowed Without Consent: School staff must provide “general caretaking” to students, which does not require parental consent or notification. This covers minor, noninvasive actions such as applying adhesive bandages, wiping a bloody nose, cleaning up spills, or checking a student’s vital signs (such as measuring temperature for a fever or assessing blood pressure in the clinic). It also includes responding to immediate emotional distress (e.g., calming a crying student). These actions are not legally classified as health-related or health-care services.
- Statutory Health Screenings Exempt: Standard screenings required by other laws—such as vision, hearing, acanthosis, and spinal screenings—will continue to follow their existing legal notice and opt-out rules under the Texas Health and Safety Code.
School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potentials.
Parent & Student Resources
- Nurse Information Card
- School Health Screening Programs Conducted in NBISD
- Texas School Nurses Support Student Success
- The Healthy and Happy Child
- Healthcare Information Release
- City of NB School Food Recommendations
We deeply appreciate your cooperation and support in ensuring that NBISD remains a safe, healthy, and thriving educational environment for all students. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your campus administration.
Documents & Resources
General Health Information
WHAT IS MENINGITIS?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Meningitis caused by bacteria is the most likely form of the disease to cause serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.
Bacterial meningitis can be caused by multiple organisms. Two common types are Streptococcus pneumoniae, with over 80 serogroups that can cause illness, and Neisseria meningitidis, with 5 serogroups that most commonly cause meningitis.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Someone with bacterial meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere on the body.
The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results.
HOW SERIOUS IS BACTERIAL MENINGITIS?
If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, most people make a complete recovery. If left untreated or treatment is delayed, bacterial meningitis can be fatal, or a person may be left with permanent disability.
HOW CAN BACTERIAL MENINGITIS BE PREVENTED?
Bacterial meningitis cased by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis may be prevented through vaccination. Vaccination with available meningococcal vaccines offers longer-term protection and is routinely recommended for adolescents and others at increased risk.
The vaccine which protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae is called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PCV. There are two types of vaccinations for meningococcal disease available in the US. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Menactra® and Menveo®) available in the US provide protection against 4 of the 5 most common serogroups of N. meningitidis (serogroups A, C, W, and Y). Serogroup B vaccines (Trumenba® and Bexsero®) provides protection for the other most common serogroup, serogroup B. Meningococcal vaccinations are generally recommended for those beginning at 11-12 years of age with a booster between 16-18 years of age; however, for those persons at an increased risk for meningococcal disease the age recommended is different.
Depending on the brand and your age you may receive different number of doses. Approximately 2 weeks are required following vaccination for the development of protective antibody levels.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office are excellent sources for information on all infectious diseases. You may call your family doctor or local health department office to ask about meningococcal vaccine. Additional information may also be found at the web sites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html and the Texas Department of State Health Services(DSHS): https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/PreteenVaccines.aspx or
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/notifiable-conditions/invasive-and-respiratory-diseases-and-conditions/meningitis/bacterial-meningitis-unspecified
SOURCE:
Visit the Flu Vaccination Information from the Texas Department of State Health Services
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent flu.
Go Blue and Kick the Flu! Influenza Vaccination is the most effective method for preventing illness and reducing absenteeism. New Braunfels ISD is partnering to provide flu vaccines for our staff and students at schools. You may also consult your physician, local pharmacy or Health Department to get vaccinated!
1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others. Students and staff must be fever free (less than 100.0) for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
For more information visit the CDC.gov website or download the related CDC flyers:
DSHS Immunization Branch Advisory No. 27 – CDC Recommends Two HPV Shots for Younger Adolescents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has updated its recommendation regarding the three injection series of HPV vaccination in adolescents, beginning at age 11-12 years. CDC now routinely recommends two doses of HPV vaccine for 11 or 12 year old’s to prevent HPV cancers.
Why does my child need HPV vaccine?
HPV vaccine is important because it protects against cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a very common virus; nearly 80 million people—about one in four—are currently infected in the United States. About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year.
Most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems. Most HPV infections (9 out of 10) go away by themselves within two years. But, sometimes, HPV infections will last longer, and can cause certain cancers and other diseases. HPV infection can cause:
- cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva in women;
- cancers of the penis in men; and
- cancers of the anus and back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx), in both women and men.
Every year in the United States, HPV causes 30,700 cancers in men and women. HPV vaccination can prevent most of the cancers (about 28,000) from occurring
Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious acute viral respiratory illness. It is characterized by a prodrome of fever (as high as 105°F) and malaise, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis – the three “C”s, Koplik spots followed by a maculopapular rash. The rash usually appears about 14 days after a person is exposed, however, the incubation ranges from 7 – 21 days. The rash characteristically spreads from the head to the trunk to the lower extremities. Patients are considered to be contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears. Please note that immunocompromised patients may not develop the rash. Complications can include otitis media, diarrhea, bronchitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures and death.
While it is rare that vaccinated individuals develop measles, it does happen. Vaccinated individuals may have an atypical clinical presentation—typically shorter rash duration or atypical rash presentation, and possible lack of fever, cough, coryza or conjunctivitis. People at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles include: infants and children <5 years, adults aged >20 years, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.
Department of State Health Services Infectious Disease Control
Get Your Free Texas Prescription Card Here
As a resident of Texas, you and your family have access to a statewide Prescription Assistance Program (PAP). Create and print your FREE discount prescription drug card coupon. The pharmacy coupon card will provide you with Rx medication savings of up to 75% at more than 68,000 pharmacies across the country including CVS, Walgreens and Walmart.
Create and print your FREE discount prescription drug card coupon here.
As summer arrives, so do mosquitoes! Mosquito activity increases with warmer weather, and so does the threat of illness. Pregnant women are particularly at risk of Zika; the virus can cause birth defects in unborn infants. The Zika virus spreads through the bite of certain types of mosquitoes. While it can cause fever, rash, joint pain, and red or pink eyes, about 80 percent of people with Zika do not become ill or have symptoms. Zika can also spread through blood transfusions and sexual contact. . Prevent mosquito breeding and protect yourself from mosquito bites. You can learn more about Zika in Texas here.
Listed below are some steps to help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses.
- Apply EPA-approved insect repellent.
- Wear pants and long-sleeve shirts
- Remove standing water in and around your home
- Cover trash cans or containers where water can collect
- Talk to your doctor if you have concerns
For additional information on Zika in Comal County visit Zika in Central Texas.
View the Zika Virus Protection and Prevention Info Sheet from TEA
The Zika informational poster from the Texas Department of Health and Human services can be found at: https://www.texaszika.org/materials/ZikaPoster11x17English.pdf
FAQ
School Health Advisory Council
The purpose of the New Braunfels ISD School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is to advise the Board of Trustees on various subjects as they relate to the health of students, parents, teachers, employees and community members of New Braunfels ISD.
