Health & Safety

Minnesota Transitions Charter Schools (MTCS) is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all students. MTCS provides health related services designed to meet the individual needs of students across the district. It is a focus of the Health Services Department that all students receive the care they need throughout the school day to support their educational success.

MTCS health services consists of trained health assistants working under the delegation of a licensed school nurse to provide a variety of medical procedures that support a healthy learning environment for all students.

The office staff in each building is equipped to handle minor injuries requiring first aid. If a student experiences a more serious medical emergency at school, staff will contact 911/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for any serious or life-threatening condition that occurs. It is imperative to be able to have trained medical personnel onsite as soon as possible to assist with the health and safety of your student. EMS will evaluate the situation at the school and determine if they need to bring the student into a nearly Emergency Department. Every attempt will be made to immediately notify the parent/guardian/emergency contact as well.

Suicide Support Line
Call, Text or Chat: 988
Emergency: 911

Immunizations

For the safety of all students in grades K-12, Minnesota law requires proof of immunizations or filing of legal exemption signed by a health care provider or a conscientious objection signed by a parent/guardian and notarized.

Immunizations can be administered by your family’s physical or through one of the following:

  • The No Shots No School Program is available during the month of August and the first week of September. The barrier-free clinics will immunize students who were not previously patients with the clinic, without a doctor visit or preventative care exam, and without direct charge to families. Call the number listed to schedule an appointment.

Barrier-free Hennepin County clinic list
Barrier-free Ramsey County clinic list

  • Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) may provide immunizations at no charge if:
    • You are uninsured;
    • You are enrolled in a Minnesota Healthcare Program (MHCP): Minnesota Medical Assistance (MA), Minnesota Care (MnCARE) or Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP);
    • You are American Indian or Alaskan Native; or
    • You have health insurance that does not cover the cost of vaccines.

Clinics providing MnVFC-eligible immunizations:

Hennepin County: 612-384-2884
Ramsey County: 651-266-1234

IEP Health Related Services

If your child is evaluated to determine special education eligibility and will receive Health related services as part of the Individual Education Program (IEP), MTCS will share your student’s name and date of birth with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to find out if your child utilizes Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.

If you do not wish to share your child’s name and date of birth with DHS, you must notify us in writing at least one week before the evaluation begins. Email your request to ecopeland@emailmtcs.org or mail in care of the following:

Erin Copeland
Director of Special Education
2872 26th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Prior to the beginning of each school year, students requiring individual health plans or emergency care plan(s) and/or emergency medication(s) must turn in a medication form as well as an emergency action plan from their clinic for review by the Licensed School Nurse.

Forms

MTCS District Nurse

Danielle Partyka
612-499-4485
dpartyka@emailmtcs.org

Is My Child Too Sick for School?

Many parents are concerned about when to keep students home due to illness. This information is intended to help parents with this decision. District Health Services follows public health guidelines when determining when students should remain at home due to illness.

  • If the student has a fever of 100 degrees or more (without the use of fever-reducing medication), the student should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal
  • If the student has vomited or has diarrhea, the student should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode
  • If the student has any rash that may be disease-related or if you do not know the cause, check with your medical provider before sending the student to school
  • If your student begins taking an antibiotic, the student should stay home for 24 hours after the antibiotic is started
  • Please keep your student home if your student has a condition that may interfere with their or another student’s education (i.e.: lethargy or uncontrollable cough)
  • A physician’s order and written parent/guardian permission is required to administer any medication while at school
  • If your student is ill, please call the school to report the student’s absence