Welcome to the 2009-2010 School Year

HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT 2009-2010  

  Welcome to Cactus Ranch Elementary.  Keep this as a reference for the following information.

  H1N1 (SWINE) FLU INFORMATION - Students who have flu symptoms (including but not limited to; cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, fever of 100˚ or higher) should remain at home or will be sent home from school and must be symptom free and fever free for 24 hours (without fever reducing medication).

 

INFECTION CONTROL AND PREVENTIONPracticing frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying at home when you have symptoms will decrease the spread of infection.

 

Pink Emergency Card - Complete, sign, and return. This form gives us permission to treat your child.  In addition, it provides vital information regarding your child’s current health and medical history.  We utilize the information provided on this card to contact you in the event of an emergency, illness, or to communicate concerns from health screenings.  These cards are replaced annually.  Notify us of any changes in your contact or health information.

 

Immunizations must be current -Children are not allowed to remain in school unless there is valid documentation of required immunizations on file.  This is district and state policy.

 

All medications must be administered through the health clinic

Medications given 3 times daily or less should be given at home unless time sensitive.

    1. A “Request to Administer Medication” form must be completed by the parent for all prescription and over the counter medications (this includes cough drops). Herbal, Zinc, and Vitamin C drops may not be given at school.  They are considered supplements and are not regulated by the FDA. This request must also be completed by a physician for medications kept at school for more than 10 days.

    2. Over the counter medications must be in the original container and properly labeled.  Parents requesting a dose different than the manufacturer instruction must provide a physician order.

  3. Prescription medications (including inhalers) need to be prescribed to the child taking the medication with the correct dosing on the pharmacy label.  Ask for a school bottle at the pharmacy so the medication can be left at school.  If your child requires an inhaler for ‘as needed’ use, please provide an extra one to be left at school.

 

Keep your child home if vomiting or has a fever (temperature greater than 100˚). This is district policy and helps to prevent the spread of illness to others.  Your child is still contagious if their fever is reduced with Tylenol, Ibuprofen or other fever reducing medication.  Students must be excluded from school until fever free (temperature less than 100˚) for 24 hours without the above medication.

 

Communicable Disease – Report all communicable disease to the school nurse.  This information helps to prevent the spread of illness in the school.  Examples include flu, strep throat, pink eye, chickenpox, impetigo, and scarlet fever.

 

Hand washing is the first line of defense in the spread of illness.  Emphasize frequent, good hand washing and practice it with your child.

 

Head LiceDiscuss with your child the importance of not sharing combs, hats, and helmets to reduce the spread of head lice.  Check your child’s hair at home weekly. Notify the school nurse if your child has head lice.

 

ScreeningsVision, Hearing, and Ht/Wt screenings will be done in the fall for all grades. Acanthosis Nigricans screening will be completed at the same time for 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades.  Spinal screenings will be completed for 5th grade in the spring.  If your child has been referred due to an issue and you need assistance contact the school nurse.

 

Clothes ClosetIf you need help with clothing for your child, please stop by the nurse’s office and request a referral form.  All requests are confidential.  If you have gently used clothing that your child has outgrown, please bring them to the nurse’s office. The clothes will be taken to the Clothes Closet for distribution. 

                            

*** I must be able to get in touch with you during the school day. ***

Update your contact information as needed.

 

***Be sure your child gets adequate sleep and a good breakfast***

 

Our goal is to keep your child healthy, safe, and in their classroom participating and learning.

 

 

Pam Wallace, RN  and Cheryl Sampson, LVN

 

Clinic Phone Number: 424-8010