St. Clare School - School Health Services

Saint Clare School

716 Myrth Avenue Essex, Maryland 21221

Saint Clare School Health Services

ILLNESS

A child who is too ill to remain in class, reports to the health room personnel. If it is necessary that the child be sent home, parents or the emergency contact person will be notified, and the parent or emergency contact person must sign the parent/student sign out book before taking the child home.

INJURY

Care given in the school is limited to first aid in accidents until the parent or emergency contact person can be reached to take the child home, to the doctor or hospital.

EMERGENCY FORMS

Forms are to be kept for each student providing information to assist in locating parents or an emergency contact person. It is important for parents to keep this information up-to-date in the school.

HEALTH POLICIES

Upon entering St. Clare School, students must have a complete physical, a dental check up and the required immunizations. Information on these required immunizations can be obtained from the school nurse or the Baltimore County Health Department. Students who are not up-to-date on the required immunizations will not be allowed to attend school. Proof of immunizations is required. A parent must show a medical contraindication signed by a doctor for his/her child to be excused.

Vision and Hearing Screening will be done on all student in grades K, 3, 5, 8 as well as students in grades 1, 2, 4, 6 who are new to St. Clare School. Scoliosis screening is providence for female students in grade 6 and make students in grade 8.

Periodically, health and safety programs are offered to students at various grade levels.

MEDICATIONS

The administration of medication in school is discouraged. However, if a student’s physician decides it is necessary for the child to receive prescription or over-the-counter medication during the school day, a written order from that physician is required.

ALSO NOTE THE FOLLOWING

Medication can only be dispensed with a written order from the student’s physician.

The original medication container or box for inhalers must be sent to the school. These containers or boxes should include the following: name of medication, directions for use, time for dispensing, name of doctor ordering the medication, date of prescription, expiration date as stated by the pharmacist and strength of medication/dosage.

Students may not possess, dispense or distribute medications on their own.

Calamine lotion and cough drops may be administered with a note from parents. Cough drops should be brought to school in the original package in a zip lock bag with the student’s name. The package should be given to the student’s teacher. Cough drops that contain an anesthetic will be kept in the Health Room.

Children who are ill enough to be kept in during recess periods should be kept at home until they can follow the regular school schedule. The school does not have adequate personnel for individual supervision.

Any student with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher or who has vomited, will be sent home. Parents should not send a child to school who is ill in the morning. A child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

A doctor’s written and signed request is needed for a student to be excused from physical education classes for any length of time.

Parents must call school if their child is diagnosed with a communicable disease. The school must notify the Health Department. All reports are confidential. The following communicable diseases/conditions are necessary to report:

Measles – regular or German TB

Meningitis Whooping Cough

Hepatitis Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Food Poisoning Virus infection

Pediculosis (lice) Fifth disease

Adverse reactions to Pertussis vaccine Lymes disease

Any student with drainage from the eyes, associated with conjunctivitis (pinkeye), must be kept at home until under treatment from a doctor. A doctor’s note will be required for readmission to school.

Parents are requested to notify the school if their child is hospitalized for any reason.

A student’s medical records must be complete, accurate and kept current. The school must be kept informed. If an emergency arises, the school should know the existing conditions (diabetes, convulsions, epilepsy, emotional problems, allergies, etc.), any medication that the child may be taking and what is needed to render assistance. The school must be notified of changes that occur during the school year.

Emergency cards are kept on file for each student. Telephone numbers must be kept current.

If a head injury occurs, the nurse will send home a note. The note is to be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to school.

If the parent/guardian or alternative contact person cannot be reached in an emergency, the school will contact police/ambulance for assistance.