Health Policies
To access the orginal health district policy on our district website click here
To access the health procedure updates on our district website click here
COLCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY: STUDENT HEALTH
DATE ADOPTED:
February 3, 2004
POLICY STATEMENT
It is the intent of the school district that each student will have access to health services. These include health appraisal, communicable disease control, emergency and first aid care, and counseling. These services will be carried out within the district’s policy and procedure guidelines in conjunction with parents and community health resources. Vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening, immunization reviews and child abuse reporting will be carried out as mandated by Vermont State Law.
Colchester School District recognizes that some of our students may have no source of primary health care. The nurse in each building shall make families aware of resources in our community for on-going medical care to ensure all children have a medical home. In so doing, a continuing relationship with a primary health care professional can be established.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
Pupils: The Colchester School District strongly recommends that each child entering the Colchester Schools as a EEE, kindergarten, or transfer student have a physical examination. Parents should have their child examined by a physician of their choice at parent expense within twenty (20) days of initial enrollment. Parents are urged to have the physical examinations of their child during either the spring or summer prior to school opening.
Sports Participation: In order to assure a student’s health and well-being while participating in intramural or interscholastic sports, it is the Colchester School District’s policy that the student athlete must have a thorough medical examination every two years from a licensed physician. Failure to do so shall render the student ineligible to participate in practices and/or games.
IMMUNIZATION
Vermont Immunization Law (Title 18, Chapter 23, Subchapter 4, Section 1121) requires all students attending Vermont schools to be immunized unless exempted from immunization for medical, religious or moral reasons.
Children shall be excluded from school for failure to comply with the provisions of the law. However, no child shall be excluded for failure to comply unless there has been notification by the school’s principal to the child’s parent or guardian of the non-compliance and of the parent’s rights for an exemption. F 8
In the event of exclusion, the school’s principal shall notify the Department of Health and contact the parents and guardians in an effort to obtain compliance with the law so the child may attend school.
USE OF MEDICATION IN SCHOOL: PRESCRIPTION AS WELL AS OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION*
The Colchester School District believes that it is more desirable for medications to be administered by parents/guardians in the home. Whenever students routinely take medications at home, however, parents/guardians must ensure access to the student’s physician and communicate with the school regarding the medication, dosage, and possible side effects of the drug.
The district clearly recognizes that some students will need to take medications during the regular school day. Medication must be brought to school by a parent or guardian in a container labeled by the pharmacy or physician and stored in a secure, locked storage place. For safety reasons, no medication should be brought in by the student. Except in rare or emergency situations, such medications will be administered by the school nurse or a building administrator according to the district’s defined procedures.
Individual considerations will be given to students who must keep medication with him/her at all times (i.e., inhaler). They must keep the medication in a secure place and notify staff of use. Anyone found not to be responsible for safekeeping and use of inhalers, will have to keep medication locked in the nurse’s office and it will be administered by the school nurse or a building administrator.
The school nurse shall keep a record of all medications administered on the student’s individual medication log. This policy identifies separate procedures for chronic and temporary conditions.
HEAD LICE
Over six million cases of pediculosis (Head Lice), are reported in the United State each year, mostly in children. Unfortunately, embarrassment and misinformation often prevent safe, effective treatment. It is our goal as the Health Services Department to support each student’s education process by educating parents and guardians on the most current research in the management of pediculosis. Head lice are not known to transmit infectious disease person-to-person. Therefore, it is the belief of the National Association of School Nurses and the American Academy of Pediatrics that students should not be excluded from school for having nits (lice eggs).
STUDENT HEALTH POLICY
PROCEDURES
Procedures for Chronic Disabilities or Illnesses:
When a student must take medication in school for a chronic disability or illness, the school nurse will:
1. Verify written authorization from the physician or authorized personnel, stating the student’s name, medication, dosage, time to be given, and for how many days.
2. Ensure that medication is brought to school in its original labeled container.
3. Verify written permission by the parent or guardian.
4. Require that all medication be brought in by the parent or guardian. For safety reasons, no medication should be brought in by the student.
5. Keep a record of all medications administered on the student’s individual medication log.
6. Store medication in a locked cabinet, unless refrigeration is required.
7. Give individual consideration to students who must keep medication with him/her at all times (i.e. inhalers). They must keep their medication in a secure place and be instructed when to notify staff of use. Anyone found not to be responsible for the safe keeping and use of inhalers, will have to keep medication locked in the nurses’ office, and it will be administered by trained staff.
8. Communicate with the student, parent/guardian, and physician regarding the efficacy of any medication administered in school.
Procedures for Temporary Physical Condition:
When a student must take medication in school for a temporary physical condition, the school nurse will:
1. Verify written permission from the parent/guardian requesting that the school administer this medication. Medication must be brought to school in the original container, appropriately labeled by a pharmacist or physician.
2. Verify the name of medication, dosage, time interval, and reason for giving it.
3. Store medication in a locked cabinet, unless refrigeration is required.
4. Communicate with the student, parent/guardian, and physician regarding the efficacy of any medication administered in school.
Procedures for Head Lice:
1. Any staff member who suspects head lice shall report this to his/her school nurse.
2. The school nurse shall confirm the presence of head lice. If confirmed, hair is tied up, close contact is discouraged, and student is sent back to class. Parent/Guardian is then contacted during the school day.
3. If siblings are in the district, school nurses will notify each other of possible head lice in the family for inspection of other siblings during the school day.
4. Information is given to parent/guardian regarding the appropriate treatment of head lice. Encourage all family members to be checked, as well as notification to other close contacts including extended family, daycare, and social groups.
5. Handouts including Head Lice Information/Treatment Sheet Form HL 405 will be sent home with student and/or parent.
6. Parent/Guardian are required to notify the school nurse in writing (using the treatment confirmation form attached to HL 405) which lists the treatments initiated and includes the empty package of pediculocide used.
7. The school nurse will inspect close contacts of the affected student to confirm if they also need treatment. If any other cases are identified, steps 3-6 (above) will be followed.
8. If more than 2-3 cases are confirmed in the same class, a letter will be sent home to the entire class alerting families. The school nurse will continue to inspect the affected child(ren) as discretely as possible, maintaining confidentiality until all evidence is eliminated.
9. The school nurse will maintain communication with the families to offer assistance in carrying out the appropriate treatment recommendations. The most recent research indicates DAILY combing with a good metal lice comb for 2 weeks after the last evidence of head lice is the key step in its elimination. Additionally, a retreatment of a pediculocide is ESSENTIAL at the 10 day mark. (Not 8, 9 or 11 days. 10 is the only recommendation.)
Procedural Regulations Revised: August 25, 2010
INJURIES, RECESS & P.E.
Physical Education (P.E.) and recess are important components to a student’s school day. If a parent requests that their child miss more than two consecutive Physical Education classes, a doctor’s note will be required. If your physician excuses your child from P.E. classes, we will keep the student inside for a quiet recess in order to protect his/her physical safety. However, we believe a daily recess period is very important for elementary school students. Unless we have written documentation indicating a student should be excused from recess, we send all students outside for a daily 20-minute recess.
