Health Services

We are proud to partner with Cherry Health to provide School-Based Health Centers that offer high quality care for scholars in a convenient, school-friendly environment. Healthcare services are located steps away from the classroom where interruptions to the educational process are kept at a minimum.

Request An Appointment at a Cherry Heath Location

3 Convenient Locations:

Innovation Central High School Health Center

421 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

(616) 776-5120

Ottawa Hills High School Health Center

2055 Rosewood Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

(616)776-5110

Union High School Health Center

1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

(616) 791-6593

Special thank you to our healthcare partner:

Whenever children are brought into group settings, there is a chance for diseases to spread. Taking preventive steps through immunizations can protect scholars and help ensure a safe learning environment. 

Immunization Requirements

Any scholar who is not up-to-date with immunization requirements shall be excluded from school until required immunizations have been administered. School personnel shall cooperate with public health officials in completing and coordinating all immunization data, waivers and exclusions.

Immunization Waivers

A student is only exempt from the immunization requirements if the parent or guardian presents a written and signed waiver to their school administrators indicating their objections to immunizations based on religious, medical or other factors. Philosophical or religious immunization waivers can only be obtained through the Kent County Health Department. Please contact your school nurse for more information. 

Learn more about how you can prevent the spread of disease from the Kent County Health Department (KCHD).

Take the next step and schedule your child's immunization by clicking the button below. 

View the KCHD Immunization Schedule

When should I keep my child home from school due to illness?

According to Grand Rapids Public Schools Communicable Disease Policy, Rules # 5141.2, parents will be informed to keep children home when they are ill. Students who have symptoms of communicable disease will be excluded from school.

These symptoms include:

• Fever 100.4 or higher or chills
• New cough or change in cough
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea
• Severe headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Congestion or runny nose
• Sores on skin with pus or liquid drainage
• Stiff neck or back
• Unexplained rash

Please contact your school nurse if you have questions or would like to discuss your child’s symptoms.

What if my child needs medication during the school day?

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are urged to give medication and provide medical treatment at home and on a schedule other than school hours if possible. Medication includes prescription and non-prescription medication, homeopathic remedy, herbal remedy, vitamin and/or mineral supplements that may be taken by any route. If it is necessary that medication and/or treatment be provided during school hours, the following regulations must be followed:

1. A Medication and Treatment Consent Form must be signed by the parent/guardian and the physician. A Medication and Treatment Consent form can be obtained by contacting the school nurse.
2. Any changes in medication dose, route, schedule or discontinuation of medication must be communicated to the school nurse and a new Medication/Treatment Consent Form must be completed.
3. Medication must be brought to school in the original pharmacy container with the original label. Label must include the name of the student, the name of the medication, the name of the prescriber, the dose, time to be given, route and expiration date.
4. Medical treatment supplies shall be provided for school use for each student by Parent/Guardian as needed.
5. Medication must be picked up within three (3) days after the end of the school year or it shall be discarded.
6. Medication/Treatment Consent Forms must be renewed annually.

What if my child needs a medical procedure to be completed during the school day?

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are urged to give medication and provide medical treatment at home and on a schedule other than school hours if possible. Medication includes prescription and non-prescription medication, homeopathic remedy, herbal remedy, vitamin and/or mineral supplements that may be taken by any route. If it is necessary that medication and/or treatment be provided during school hours, the following regulations must be followed:

1. A Medication and Treatment Consent Form must be signed by the parent/guardian and the physician. A Medication and Treatment Consent form can be obtained by contacting the school nurse.
2. Any changes in medication dose, route, schedule or discontinuation of medication must be communicated to the school nurse and a new Medication/Treatment Consent Form must be completed.
3. Medication must be brought to school in the original pharmacy container with the original label. Label must include the name of the student, the name of the medication, the name of the prescriber, the dose, time to be given, route and expiration date.
4. Medical treatment supplies shall be provided for school use for each student by Parent/Guardian as needed.
5. Medication must be picked up within three (3) days after the end of the school year or it shall be discarded.

Medication/Treatment Consent Forms must be renewed annually.

Can my child administer their own medications at school?

Self-administration/possession of medication is allowed in compliance with the rules of the GRPS medication policy. Students may be allowed to carry inhalers, epi-pens, insulin, and glucagon, if they comply with the rules of the policy.

Contact your school nurse to discuss if you would like more information.

What if my child has a life-threatening allergic reaction while at school?

Each of our schools are provided an emergency use Epi-Pen and Epi-Pen Jr. Our school nurses, school health aides, and Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) members are trained in the administration of emergency epinephrine.

In the event that your child encounters a life-threatening allergen, and Epi-pen may be used, EMS will be activated, and you will be notified.

What if my child has a medical emergency while at school?

According to GRPS Medical Emergencies policy, maintaining a safe and injury-free environment is of primary importance to the Board of Education. In the event of a medical emergency, District staff will secure appropriate medical assistance for all students of the Grand Rapids Public Schools while in school or engaged in sanctioned school activities.

Will my child’s medical information be kept confidential?

Yes. Our school nurses and district staff are required by federal privacy laws (FERPA) to protect your child’s educational records, which include medical information provided to the school. Parent consent will be obtained prior to sharing this information with a third party.