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Your child's health and safety is our most important concern. We have found that when children begin school or change schools they may be more prone to infection and illness. We hope that these guidelines will contribute to a healthier school year for all.
Health Forms - Health forms must be completed and sent in as soon as possible. Please be sure to note any known allergic or medical conditions that your child may have on health forms. State law mandates that we have these health forms on file in order for child to start school.
24-Hour Fever Free Period - If a child has been running a temperature, our procedure remains that the child stay at home from school until he/she is fever-free for 24 hours.
Temperature Procedure - Our current procedure states that any child with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher must stay at home from school. This particular procedure seems to create some confusion and misinterpretation among parents. We often find that children are still brought to school with notable malaise (i.e. heavy cold, cough, irritability, and fatigue, and perhaps a normal or low-grade fever less than 100 degrees). Children who cannot participate in all classroom activities (indoor and out) despite a normal/low grade fever should stay home. When a child is even mildly ill, his/her resistance is compromised and he/she can contract other infections as well as transmit them. Such a process only promotes a cycle of sickness that is frustrating for both parents and staff. If you know your child is not "him/herself", please try to keep him/her home to help control the spread of illness.
Medication Procedure- We encourage that, whenever possible, medication not be taken during school hours. Since our program is less than four hours long, there should be no reason for medication to be given in school except for emergency medications for allergic reactions. If it is necessary for us to administer medication, it must be in the container with the original prescription label with includes name of student, name of medication, dosage, and time of administration. For both prescription and over-the counter medications, we must have a medication permit signed by the doctor and parent. The medication must be brought to school by an adult.
Conjunctivitis - We have had a number of cases of conjunctivitis. Please be aware of any/all of the developing symptoms: excessive watering of the eyes, possible puffiness of lids, crusting of lashes, sticky greenish-yellow discharge in corners and/or along lids. Conjunctivitis can still be present with discharge without apparent redness and inflammation. Your child must be excluded with suspected conjunctivitis as this condition is highly contagious. Our policy remains that a child must receive a full 24 hours of prescribed medication before returning to school. If a child is dismissed from school with conjunctivitis, he/she cannot return before this 24-hour period has passed. We must enforce such regulations in order to protect all concerned.
Gastrointestinal Illness - Stomach viruses causing diarrhea and vomiting can pass quickly through a classroom. The staff will also evaluate any significant changes and respond accordingly. It is imperative that you use your best judgment in keeping your child home from school for health reasons. We often feel that an extra day or two of rest at home can make such a difference in a more complete recovery. Please help us in our concerted effort to provide for the welfare of the children and staff by following these guidelines. Teachers will also be diligent in adhering to careful sanitary procedures. Together we can ensure a healthier environment.
Other Contagious Conditions - Please contact us if your child comes down with chicken pox, mumps, measles, or other contagious diseases.
Minor Injuries - Your child's teacher is responsible for seeing that your child is cared for. The staff will administer simple, first aid (i.e. cleaning surface wounds, bandaging). A first-aid box is kept in the office and is regularly checked and replenished by our nurse. A log book is kept of any incident and you will receive a note from the classroom teacher.
Emergencies and Major Injuries - In the event of a major injury or emergency, the policies and procedures of the Burlington Public Schools are implemented. Our program has a registered nurse in the building's health office. |