Ø      WHEN SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME BECAUSE OF AN ILLNESS?  

Ø      WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD GETS SICK AT SCHOOL?  

Ø      HOW LONG DO I NEED TO KEEP MY CHILD OUT OF SCHOOL WHEN HE/SHE HAS: STREP THROAT, CHICKEN POX, FIFTH DISEASE OR CONJUNCTIVITIS?

      Ø      WHAT IS THE SOUTH BURLINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT MEDICATION POLICY?

      Ø      WHY CAN’T YOU ADMINISTER “STOCK” MEDICINE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS?

      Ø      WHY DOES THE SCHOOL NEED WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM A HEALTH CARE
            PROVIDER  WHEN MY CHILD TAKES PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION AT SCHOOL?  
            ISN’T THE ORDER ALREADY ON THE PHARMACY LABEL?  

Ø      MY CHILD HAS A LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGY.  WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL GUIDELINES TO KEEP MY CHILD SAFE?  

Ø      I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HEAD LICE?  WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES?

      Ø      WHAT HEALTH SCREENINGS ARE PROVIDED AT SCHOOL?  

Ø      WHAT ARE EMERGENCY CARDS FOR?  

WHEN SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME BECAUSE OF AN ILLNESS?

The following suggestions are intended to help determine when a student should NOT attend school:

• Your child has a fever of 100 degrees or above during the previous evening or night, or in the morning.
• Your child has experienced vomiting or diarrhea during the night or in the morning.
• Your child has a persistent productive cough that keeps him/her from sleeping, normal activity, or a cough that is not controlled by medication.
• Your child has a widespread rash.
• Your child has a red, swollen eye with draining pus or crusted over upon awakening.  

Please remember that to inform the health office if your child has been diagnosed with a contagious illness or condition, such as impetigo, strep throat, lice, so that we can discuss an appropriate time for your child to return to school.   

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD GETS SICK AT SCHOOL?

We encourage you to send your child to school even if he/she seems a little tired or irritable in the morning as long as they do not have any of the signs or symptoms listed above.  Students will be sent to the health room for an assessment if they are not feeling well at school.  Sometimes resting helps, but if your child has any symptoms (from the above list), the health room staff will contact the parent or legal caregiver for the child.  Alternate emergency contacts on the emergency card will be called if necessary.   

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HOW LONG DO I NEED TO KEEP MY CHILD OUT OF SCHOOL WHEN HE/SHE HAS: STREP THROAT, CHICKEN POX, FIFTH DISEASE OR CONJUNCTIVITIS? 

Strep Throat

The two most common symptoms are sore throat and fever.  In some cases, children may develop a rash, without other complaints.  This may also indicate an active strep infection.  Definite diagnosis is valid only through a throat culture.    

Please notify the health office if your child’s throat culture is positive.  Once your child has been on antibiotic treatment for twenty-four hours and does not have a fever, he/she may return to school.   

Chicken Pox

The incubation period (the time from exposure to when symptoms occur) is generally 2 - 3 weeks.  A child may have a fever before the rash appears, with the rash continuing for up to 5 – 10 days.  A child is contagious from 1 day prior to the outbreak of the rash, to 5 – 6 days after the onset of the rash. 

Children may return to school after all the vesicles have crusted over. 

Fifth Disease

Fifth disease, a common (mild) viral illness, often causes a facial rash (“slapped cheek” appearance).  This rash may spread to the rest of the body in a lace-like pattern.  It may also itch, persist and recur.  Other symptoms preceding the rash may include fever, muscle aches, and upper respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms.  Once the rash has developed, the child is no longer contagious.   

A pregnant woman exposed to someone with fifth disease should contact her health care provider for medical advice.  People with blood disorders and suppress immune systems are also advised to contact their health care providers.  Adults with fifth disease may develop temporary arthritis-like symptoms following the illness. 

A child may return to school when he/she feels well and does not have a fever. 

Conjunctivitis

The following signs or symptoms may be present:
·        Yellow discharge from the eye
·        Pink or red eye
·        Irritation or inflammation of inner eyelids
·        Itching and rubbing of eyes

The cause of these symptoms may be difficult to determine and waiting 24-48 hours may help to decide whether medical evaluation is necessary. 

There are three common causes, all three may or may not be associated with the common cold.
·        Allergic: watery discharge without yellow pus  
·        Infectious (bacterial): usually more severe with pus.  Requires medical evaluation.
·        Viral: usually less severe, no pus, 3-5 days and symptoms usually go away.  

If the symptoms appear to worsen, or do not improve after 2-3 days, a medical evaluation and treatment may be necessary.  A child may remain in school if symptoms are mild or after treatment has begun.     

WHAT IS THE SOUTH BURLINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT MEDICATION POLICY?

Any medication administered at school must adhere to the following guidelines as outlined in South Burlington School District Medication Policy. 

ü      Prescription medication needs a written physician’s order and written parental permission.

ü      Non-prescription medication needs only written parental permission.

ü      All medication needs to be brought to school, in the original container, by an adult.   

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WHY CAN’T YOU ADMINISTER “STOCK” MEDICINE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS?

The health room staff encourages children to utilize a variety ways to help their body when they are not feeling well.  Resting, drinking water, talking, deep breathing, relaxing, and eating are just some techniques that help to relieve complaints.  It is important for children to learn techniques and avoid taking medicine each time something does not feel okay.  
If children complain of persistent pain or if a pattern of complaints develop, the health room staff will contact a parent.  A visit to the child’s health care provider or a rest at home may be needed.

Certainly, parents can elect to bring in “stock” medicine (over the counter medication, such as Tylenol, Advil, Tums, cough drops) in its original container and it can be kept in the health room and used on an as needed basis.

WHY DOES THE SCHOOL NEED WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WHEN MY CHILD TAKES PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION AT SCHOOL?  ISN’T THE ORDER ALREADY ON THE PHARMACY LABEL?

According to the Nurse Practice Act, all registered nurses must have a signed, written physician’s order, indicating the name of the medication, the dosage, the time to be given and the reason for administering.   

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MY CHILD HAS A LIFE THREATENING ALLERGY.  WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL GUIDELINES TO KEEP MY CHILD SAFE?

Meeting with the school nurse is imperative if a food or insect allergy is known, so that a specific and individualized protocol/plan can be developed if appropriate.  Depending on the type of allergy, the age of the student, medicine may also be kept at school for reactions.

For more information on anaphylaxis: http://www.foodallergy.org/  

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HEAD LICE?  WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES? 

According to the National Association of School Nurses, children found with live head lice should be referred to parents for treatment. Data does not support school exclusion for nits (lice eggs). Because head lice do not cause illness or disease, schools are not advised to exclude students when nits remain after appropriate lice treatment, although further monitoring for signs of re-infestation is appropriate.  

Information from the Vermont Department of Health:  http://www.state.vt.us/health/_hs/epidemiology/headlice/headlice.htm

Information and Frequently Asked Questions from the Harvard school of Public Health:  
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/

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WHAT HEALTH SCREENINGS ARE PROVIDED AT SCHOOL?

Any immediate vision, hearing, or blood pressure concerns should be addressed with your child’s health care provider or specialist.  

The following screenings are provided during the first half of the school year:  

Vision:  occurs in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9

Hearing:  occurs in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9

Blood pressure:  occurs in grades 1, 5, 9

Height and weight:  occurs in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9

Any parent whose child does not pass a screening within the guidelines set by The Vermont School Health Services, Standards of Practice will receive a written and/or verbal referral from the school nurse to be evaluated by your child’s health care provider or an appropriate specialist.    

WHAT ARE EMERGENCY CARDS FOR?

Emergency cards provide us with vital information. The health room staff and other school employees refer to these cards when a child becomes ill, has an accident or injury, misses the bus, or if there is another reason to contact a parent or guardian. 

If the parent(s) are not available the alternates that are listed on the emergency card will be contacted. Information on this form is very important and should be kept current. If any information changes during the school year, i.e. telephone numbers, address, workplace, etc., please alert the school so the change(s) can be made.