|
The
Health Office |
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The health and safety of McCarthy-Towne students is one of the highest priorities for faculty, students, and parents.
Health
Office
There is a full time registered nurse on our staff.
When
to Notify the Nurse
The school nurse is concerned about the health of all students and
staff. Please contact the nurse when your child has any communicable
disease or any condition that requires special follow-up (See
Appendix 5 for Immunization Policy).
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Medication
Policy (Revised April 1998)
Whenever possible, prescription medication should be administered at
home. When a physician specifies that medication be administered
during the school day, the nurse should be contacted, and the
following guidelines will be used to supervise medication
administration in school;
1. All medication should be brought to the Health Office at the beginning of the day, by a responsible adult, accompanied by a signed and dated note, giving the nurse permission to administer the medication. Send only a 30-day supply (30 school days);
2. The medication must be in the original container, with a prescription label that includes the following information: child's full name, name of medication, prescription number, dosage, and time to be administered; and
3. Emergency medication will be
administered when ordered by the family physician or the school
physician.
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Protocol
Medications
1. Acetaminophen
2. Topical Medication: Caladryl, Bacitracin
3. Benadryl and Epinephrine (Emergency use only)
Please sign the designated area on the
back of your child's emergency card if you wish to authorize the
administration of protocol medication (throughout the year) by the
nurse.
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Over
the Counter Medication (except protocol medication)
1. Can only be given after a parent/guardian has supplied the school
with a signed permission note.
2. The medication must be supplied by
the family and kept in its original container (we will not accept
medication in baggies or envelopes). The nurse does not keep stock
medication.
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Accident
and Illness
A sick or injured student will not be dismissed from school until it
is cleared through the Health Office.
In any serious emergency, every attempt will be made to contact the parent or his/her designee. The designees are listed on the emergency card. Please list three people to contact with local addresses. In cases where parents or their designees cannot be contacted, the school's administrator and/or nurse will take whatever emergency action is deemed necessary.
It is expected that parents will keep a child at home if he or she shows signs of illness (fever, cough, chills, sore throat, earache, etc.)
Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulation requires that in the event that a student contracts chicken pox, she/he may not return to school until one week from the appearance of the last eruption.
Fever
Fevers are generally a sign of illness/infection. Your child should
stay home if his/her temperature is 100 F or above. He/she should not
return to school until their temperature has been normal (98 - 99 F)
for at least 24 hours.
Cold, Cough, Sore Throat
Most children can attend school with cold symptoms as long as they do
not have a fever. If your child has a cold with a fever over 100 F,
he/she should be kept at home and your healthcare provider should be
consulted. Your child should also stay at home if they have a
greenish nasal discharge or cough production. A sore throat with a
fever, swollen glands, headache, stomachache, or rash may indicate
strep. You should consult your child's doctor for evaluation. If a
child has scarlet fever, strep throat, or any strep infection, he/she
may return to school twenty-four hours after medication has started.
Children are not to be sent to school while waiting for the results
of throat culture.
Stomachache, Vomiting,
Diarrhea
A child with vomiting and/or diarrhea should be kept at home until
symptoms have resolved for at least 12 hours. Your child also needs
to be able to eat and drink normally before returning. Consult your
doctor if you suspect dehydration.
Red Eye
Your child should stay home if he/she has red eyes that itch and/or
have a crusty discharge. Consult your doctor for evaluation of
possible conjunctivitis. Your child may return to school after 24
hours of antibiotic treatment.
Pain
• Earache - consult your doctor if your child complains of ear
pain.
• Toothache- consult your dentist.
• Headache- if headaches are frequent you should consult your
doctor. Dehydration, fatigue, and stress can cause a
headache.
Rash
A rash is usually a sign of a viral illness. If also may be a
reaction to medication, plants, or chemicals such as soaps or
detergents. It your child has an unusual rash or it is associated
with a fever, contact your doctor.
Lice
Acton policy requires that students be excluded from school if head
lice are found. They may return to school only after treatment and
only if all lice or eggs have been removed. The child should report
to the Health Office upon reentry.
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Universal
Precautions for the School Setting
It is imperative for the health of our students and staff that all
blood drips and spills be treated as potentially dangerous. The HIV
virus is transmitted by blood and other body fluids. The Hepatitis B
virus can live dried on a surface for up to one week and has the same
mode of transmission. Each staff member has a packet containing latex
gloves, gauze pads, and a copy of the "Universal Precautions for
School Settings." The precautions must be posted in a visible place
in each classroom and office, and the glove/gauze packet must be hung
or taped nearby so that they are readily available to students and
staff. You are encouraged to take a few moments to read the Universal
Precautions and stress to your child the importance of practicing
them.
If you have any questions, please see
your School Nurse.
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Physical
Screening Examinations
Hearing and vision tests are given yearly to every student by the
nurse, and notices are sent to parents in those situations where
there is a need for examination by a qualified physician. These tests
are basic screening exams and should not be considered substitutes
for complete hearing and vision tests. Postural screening exams for
fifth and sixth graders will be done by the school nurse and the
physical education teacher.
The students will be notified in
advance so that they can wear appropriate clothing. Referrals will be
made if discrepancies are noted.
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School
Insurance
All children attending public schools in Acton should be covered by
accident insurance. Information is distributed in the early Fall each
year concerning an inexpensive plan offered through the school for
those families who do not already carry insurance coverage or who
wish to have additional insurance.
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Animals in the
School Building
1. No animals may be brought into the school building without the
permission of the school principal.
2. Animals must not be kept in the building any longer than necessary to serve the purpose for which they were brought.
3. If animals are kept in the school building, appropriate attention must be given to the protection and health of pupils and staff and to the care of and prevention of cruelty to the animals. No animal known to cause allergic and/or respiratory reactions to any student in a school will be admitted.
4. When physically handled, gloves must
be used in order to prevent bites or infections in the following
circumstances:
a. when the animal is unknown;
b. when gerbils are handled;
c. when there is any question about the
temperament of the animal.
5. Only cages meeting school requirements for safety, sanitation, and adequate animal care may be used to hold animals.
6. Unless a cage has an automatic food and water dispenser, pets must be taken home on weekends. All rodents and rabbits must have wood to chew on in the cage.
7. Animals are not to be left in school during school vacations - except in science lab for which special arrangements for care can be planned.
8. Dispensable utensils are recommended for use inside cages. Otherwise, regular and frequent cleaning should be planned.
9. Cages, trays, and utensils must not be washed in sinks used for human washing or drinking. They should be washed in wash basins or sinks used for maintenance operation.
10. No experimentation which may be harmful or cruel to animals shall be undertaken.
11. An animal known to arouse a phobia in a child should not be housed in that classroom.
12. Wild, undomesticated mammals such
as raccoons and weasels should not be permitted to be brought into
the school building with the exception of those under the supervision
of a trained person.
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Emergency
Procedures
The school district has adopted an Emergency Response Plan to address
a range of emergency situations. The plan is available in the school
office. See page 9 regarding school cancellations.
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Fire
Drills/Alarms
At the sound of the fire alarm, all students are to stop talking and
follow the instructions of the supervising teacher. Orderly lines
should be maintained while proceeding to a designated safe location.
No talking is allowed at any time during the drill.
Teachers should:
a. Establish order at the alarm;
b. Close windows and doors;
c. Exit quickly and proceed to a
designated area;
d. Check attendance when at assigned
areas; and
e. Report any missing student to the
Principal or secretary.
Custodians and secretaries should:
a. Check bathrooms and direct
unattended students to nearest exit;
b. Check fire doors; and
c. Ascertain cause of alarm and report
it to fire officer.
Teachers not in their classrooms at the time of the fire alarms should meet their class at the predetermined designated area and relieve the supervisor until the termination of the drill. All other specialists should assist classroom teachers where and when necessary. Specialists should exit the building along with the students in their rooms at the sound of the fire alarm and proceed to the predetermined designated area.
All personnel, except the custodians and the Principal, must evacuate the building at the sound of the alarm.
A copy of the FIRE DRILL EXIT PLAN has been developed for the school and is posted in each classroom.
Do not reenter building until notified
by the Principal.
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Lunch
and Milk Programs
Lunch is served at school every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Friday. Monthly school lunch menus are sent home at the beginning of
each month and are available on the school website
(http://mct.ab.mec.edu). Free or reduced-price lunches are available
for those who qualify. Milk can be purchased by those students who
bring their lunch from home. Students are encouraged to purchase
lunch tickets in advance.
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Clothing
Students should be dressed appropriately for school and for all
weather conditions. The students are outside not only going to and
from school, but also during the daily recess. A reasonable guideline
is for students wear clothing that allows them to perform all school
activities comfortably without drawing undo attention to themselves.
Please be sure that students have easily found hooks on their jackets
and coats so that outdoor clothing can be hung neatly.
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Lost
and Found
Lost and found items are placed in a specially designated area.
Children's clothing and personal property should be labeled clearly
with their names written in a clear and visible manner. Periodically,
all items in the lost and found that are unclaimed are donated to a
local charity.
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