State law
requires parents/guardians of students new to Queen of Peace School to
furnish written documentation of school records from the school most
recently attended, a birth certificate, emergency form, and an
up-to-date record of immunizations, on the first day of school. The
student will not be permitted to remain in school without all the
completed forms submitted to the school office.
1. Health Regulations
The school nurse is in the building Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. She supervises the health program in the school. Her duties include, care of children who become sick or injured while at school, maintain student health records, control of communicable diseases, test for vision/hearing problems and scoliosis.
The health of your child is appraised through teacher and nurse observations, health histories, and screening tests. These evaluations are made so that your child may be as free as possible from any health conditions that may interfere with the learning process. We emphasize; that screenings merely reveal whether the student does or does not have a deficiency. If a deficiency is observed during the screenings of your child, the school nurse will contact you. The school nurse is available for nurse-parent conferences. If your child has special health needs or you have concerns about a physical or emotional condition, please contact the nurse for an appointment.
2. Health
Records and Immunizations
Complete health records for each student will be maintained under direction of the school nurse. These records will include the student’s immunization records as required by the Ohio Department of Health (under authority granted in Sections 3313.671 and 3701.13 of the Ohio Revised Code).
Immunization requirements will change annually. Immunizations currently required are as follows:
Preschool
• Four doses of DPT or DTaP. Those students who received the fourth dose before their fourth birthday must receive one more dose when entering Kindergarten.
• Three doses of Polio vaccine. Those students who received the third dose before their fourth birthday must receive one more dose when entering Kindergarten.
• One dose of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine. Vaccine must be administered on or after the 1st birthday.
• Three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.
•
Three or four doses of HiB. Number of doses will vary with type
of vaccine used.
Kindergarten
and Grades 1 and 2
• Four doses of DPT or DTaP. Those students who received the fourth dose before their fourth birthday must receive one more dose.
• Three doses of Polio vaccine. Those students who received the third dose before their fourth birthday must receive one more dose.
• Two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine. Vaccine must be administered on or after the first birthday. The second dose must be administered at least 28 days after the first dose.
• Three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.
• One dose of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or statement of having the disease from a parent or physician.
Grade
3 through Grade 8
• Four doses of DPT or DTaP. Those students who received the fourth dose before their fourth birthday must receive one more dose.
• Three doses of Polio vaccine. Those students who received the third dose before their fourth birthday must receive one more dose.
• Two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine. Vaccine must be administered on or after the first birthday. The second dose must be administered at least 28 days after the first dose.
• Three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.
ALL
STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 8 MUST HAVE 2 DOSES OF MMR
VACCINE AND 3 DOSES OF HEPATITIS B VACCINE
Any student who is not in compliance with the immunizations required by law will be excluded from school until all necessary immunizations have been obtained. Immunization records are to be presented to the school office by the first day of school.
If a student has incomplete immunizations for medical reasons, that student will be excluded from school for the duration of any outbreak of the disease/s for which he/she is not fully immunized.
3. Health
Screenings
The school nurse will conduct health screening programs for vision, hearing and scoliosis. The State of Ohio mandates vision and hearing screening for Preschool, Kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 and students new to the school. Scoliosis screening is done in Grades 5 through 8
These screenings are used to alert parents to potential problems in these areas. Screenings are not intended as a substitution for regular examinations by a physician. Parents are responsible for meeting their children’s basic health and immunization requirements with regular check-ups.
4. Emergency
Medical Authorization Forms
The State of Ohio Department of Education REQUIRES that an emergency medical authorization form be completed and kept on file in the school office for every student. This form has information for contacting a student’s parents or an alternate person, the name of the student’s physician, etc., to be used in case of an emergency. Students will be excluded from school if the school does not receive this form. It is extremely important for parents to notify the school office of any changes in telephone numbers, etc. as soon as possible. Wrong information could cause serious delays when trying to contact parents in the case of an emergency situation.
Required forms needed in the school office at the beginning of the school year include:
a. Medication forms required for ANY medicine given at school
b. Emergency medical authorization form and other special forms as needed
c. Student medical information form
d. Copy of immunization record and any boosters given since admission to Queen of Peace
5. Contagious
Disease
Parents are asked to notify the school office if their child has a contagious disease of any kind, including but not limited to, strep infections, chicken pox, mumps, head lice, etc.
The home and school must work together to promote the welfare of the child and prevent the spread of disease. A child should be kept home when any of the following symptoms of contagious disease are apparent:
1. red and/or running eyes and nose, coughing and sneezing
2. sore throat, unusual paleness, earache or running ears
3. dizziness or faintness, swelling about the neck
4. general feeling of nausea or malaise
5. severe pain
6. temperature above 99.6
If you suspect a contagious disease, exclude your child until a diagnosis is made and the child is symptom free. If you have questions pertaining to the returning of your child, contact the school nurse. (863-8705)
Illness at
School—In the event a child becomes ill at school, the child is
taken to the nurse’s room and checked for temperature, etc. When
indicated, parents/guardians are notified. The parent/
guardian is requested to pick up the child at the school office.
Accidents—In the event of an accident, only approved first aid measures will be used. In case of a serious injury the parents will be notified and, if needed, the Rescue Squad will be notified immediately.
6. Dispensing
Medication
Medication—Providing medical care to students is the responsibility of the parents and cannot be assumed by the school. Whenever possible, we prefer that students take all medications at home. If it is absolutely necessary that medication be given during school hours, the following policies will apply.
State Law and Archdiocesan policies require written permission from the parent/guardian and the student’s licensed prescriber (physician, dentist, podiatrist or advanced practice nurse with prescriptive authority) for the administration of all medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) by school personnel. Administration of any medications without written permission of a licensed prescriber and the parent/guardian could be interpreted as dispensing medicine without a license and is prohibited by law.
a. For legal purposes, written permission for dispensing medications must be obtained from the student’s parents and from a licensed prescriber. The administration of any medication (prescription or over-the counter) without the order of the licensed prescriber and the permission of the parent/guardian could be interpreted as practicing medicine without a license and is prohibited by law. Section 3313.713 of the Ohio Revised Code regulates the administration of medications. The Ohio Department of Health requires that medications administered in a school system by school employees, be done through the authority of a licensed prescriber (physician, dentist, podiatrist or advanced practice nurse with prescriptive authority).
b. Written permission from the licensed prescriber should include:
• The student’s name and address.
• The name of the medication.
• The times or intervals at which each dosage is to be given.
• The length of time the student will be taking the medication, possible side effects, and any special instructions for administration or storage of medication.
This information is required for each medication (both prescription and over-the-counter) to be given, and for each new medication or dosage change. NO MEDICATION WILL BE GIVEN AT SCHOOL UNLESS THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION PERMISSION FORMS EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR BY STATE LAW AND MUST BE RENEWED ANNUALLY AND WITH ANY CHANGE IN MEDICATION OR DOSAGE.
c. Medications cannot be transported by school bus. Parents must bring the medication to the school nurse, principal or school secretary in the original container clearly marked with the student’s name, name of medication, the dosage, route of administration, time of administration, licensed prescriber’s name and prescription number. Over-the-counter medications must be in the original container in which purchased and clearly marked with the student’s name. The parents/guardians must supply the school with the exact dosage of all medications.
d. Students may not carry any medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, on their person, in their lunch box, or in their bookbag to, from, or during school. Adverse reactions to the medication might not be recognized and inappropriate treatment might be given should the school nurse not know that a student is on medication. There is also the danger that the medication could be lost and taken by another student. This policy applies to all medications, including over-the-counter such as Aspirin, Tylenol, ointments, drops, vitamins, etc.
If the student has a life-threatening medical condition requiring the student carry the medication, such as an asthma inhaler or EpiPen, proper documentation by the licensed prescriber must indicate that a life-threatening situation could occur if the student does not carry the medication. If this situation occurs, the school nurse will notify the teachers. The school and its staff cannot assume responsibility for the abuse or misuse of medication carried by the student.
Effective March 23, 2007, students in Ohio schools are permitted to carry and use an epinephrine autoinjector with the permission of the prescriber of the medication and the parent/guardian. The new law is numbered, Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3313.718 and applies to any activity, event, or program sponsored by the student’s school or in which the school participates. This new law is very similar to the asthma inhaler law with a few significant differences. The new epi-pen law requires 1) acknowledgement that the prescriber has determined that the student is capable of possessing and using the autoinjector appropriately and has provided the student with training in the proper use of the autoinjector 2) the school has received a backup dose of the anaphylaxis medication; and 3) whenever an autoinjector is used, a school employee shall immediately request assistance from an emergency medical service provider (e.g., call 9-1-1).
e. Medications will be given during the lunch time period. Only oral medications will be given. Dressing changes cannot be done at school.
f. Medications that will not be given by school personnel include herbal or naturopathic substances, nutritional supplements, injections, narcotics and controlled substances. This includes cough medicine and pain medicines containing codeine, etc.
g. Alternative method: The parent may choose to give the medication before or after school or to bring the medication to school and administer it personally during the lunch recess. This may be more convenient when a child needs medication on a short-term basis such as an antibiotic, cold medicine, etc. The school nurse still needs to know the name of the medication given, because of the possibility of a delayed reaction to the medication.
h. When medication has been discontinued, the parent must pick up any remaining medication within ONE WEEK or the school nurse will dispose of it.
i. Medications required for students during official, off-campus activities will be secured and administered by the designated, trained school staff member if the school nurse cannot accompany the class.
7. Policies
Regarding Illness
Fever:
If your student has a fever (temperature above 99.6), the child is to be kept home until the temperature is normal for a full 24 hours without the use of Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. Giving these medications will bring down the child’s temperature, but it merely masks this symptom of illness.
As long as the child’s temperature remains above 99.6, they are still capable of spreading their illness to others. They need to stay at home for their own welfare and for the welfare of the others with whom they come in contact.
Strep
Throat and Pink Eye Infections:
Students who have streptococcal throat or eye infections must have received proper medication for a full 24 hours before returning to school to prevent infecting other students and/or teachers. With less than 24 full hours of medication, they are still capable of spreading their infection to others. Both these conditions are highly contagious without adequate medication treatment.
8.
Cough Drop Policy
Students are not permitted to carry cough drops or keep them in their desks. If the student must use cough drops at school, parents/guardians must write a note to the teacher explaining the need for cough drops. The cough drops are to be given to the Homeroom Teacher to dispense as directed by the parents/guardians. Cough drops are not to be shared with other students.
To ensure the safety of our students during play recess, in their classroom, and throughout the school day, all students must follow the rules and procedures outlined by the school and the teachers. When recess is spent outdoors, students must follow safety rules and interact cooperatively with the teachers and each other. Rough games, and small objects such as small balls that could cause injury are not allowed. While on the playground, all students are to remain within the limits of the play area and are not to go into restricted areas. Because of the high risk of serious injury, students in Kindergarten through Grade 2 will not be permitted to play on the monkey bars/slide apparatus of the school playground equipment.
10.
Head Lice Policy
In order to prevent widespread outbreaks of head lice, we ask parents to notify the school office immediately if their child becomes infested with head lice, so the school nurse can inspect the entire class.
If a student is found to have head lice, the parents will be notified to take the student home so that they may receive treatment. The nurse will provide written information about transmission, treatment, and housekeeping measures needed to eliminate head lice.
In order to be re-admitted to school, the student must be examined by the school nurse and pronounced nit-free. If the nurse finds any nits (or lice), the student will have to remain at home until the infestation has been eliminated.
INJURIES
Students
who have injuries that require care from a doctor or in an emergency
room, cannot participate in Physical Education classes or active recess
until the school receives a written release from a doctor stating that
the student is able to participate in physical activities with no
restrictions.
CASTS, SPLINTS, ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCES.
• Students requiring casts, splints or other orthopedic appliances are not permitted to participate in Physical Education classes or active, contact sports because of the risk of further injury to the student who needs the orthopedic appliance and the risk of injury to other students from contact with the orthopedic appliances.
• Students will be permitted to participate in Physical Education classes and active/contact sports when the casts, splints, etc. have been removed and the school office has received a written release signed by the student’s physician giving permission for the student to resume normal school activity with no restrictions.
CRUTCHES.
• Students who need crutches must eat lunch in the main school building when the pavement is wet or when there is snow or ice on the ground. Rubber crutch tips can slip in the presence of moisture, resulting in falls.
• Students needing crutches are not to use either set of steps leading to the Cafeteria because of the danger of further injury from falls, etc.
•
Students using crutches may walk down the hill to the Cafeteria
in good weather if they have written permission form a parent/guardian.
• Students needing crutches will not be permitted to leave the main school building when it is wet or when snow or ice are on the pavement because of the danger of slipping or falling.
•
Written notification from the student’s physician is required
when crutches are no longer needed and the student can resume normal
activity.
WALKING CASTS
• Students with walking casts must eat lunch in the main school when the pavement is wet or when there is snow or ice on the ground leading to the cafeteria.
• In good weather, students with walking casts will be allowed to go to the cafeteria by using the steps in church, as long as the student has written permission from a parent/ guardian and the student exhibits reasonable care in using the steps.
• If the student behaves in a reckless manner, the school may require the student to eat lunch in the main school building for his/her own safety.
• Students with walking casts will not be permitted to leave the main school building when it is wet or when snow or ice are on the pavement because of the danger of slipping or falling.
Students who require orthopedic
appliances (casts, splints, braces, etc.) will NOT be permitted to
actively participate in Physical Education classes or recess until the
appliance is removed and the physician has given a written release to
resume normal activities with no restrictions
WHEELCHAIRS
• Students requiring the use of a wheelchair must have written permission of a parent/guardian in order for an adult to transport the student down the hill when necessary. Other students are not permitted to transport a student in a wheelchair at any time.
• Students requiring a wheelchair must eat lunch in the main building when the pavement is wet or has snow or ice on it. They will not be permitted to leave the main building when these conditions are present.
According to state law, a fire drill is required each month while school is in session. The drills are held at irregular times without advance notice. For the safety of all concerned, everyone leaves the building in perfect silence and in an orderly manner. Tornado drills will be held regularly. Children will go promptly to their assigned places.