EMERGENCY CARDS:
Emergency cards are handed out in the beginning of the school year and upon yearly registration thereafter. This documentation is used for general emergency procedures for a sick/injured child. It is important that it be returned to the school nurse with updated contact and medical information.
FOOD ALLERGIES:
FSMA is a nut-free campus. This applies to all classrooms and all school activities held on campus. We understand this may be difficult, but we appreciate your help and understanding in complying with these efforts to make sure all children at FSMA are safe.
SCHOOL NUTRITION:
FSMA works with an outside vendor that delivers premade meals on site. Our vendor supplies food options that are within regulation for healthy meal choices. There will be protein and fruit options with every meal as per state mandates. These options will be provided to children regardless if they want/choose it; it comes as an entire meal option.
The FLU:
Flu season usually arrives in late October and lasts through April. The Flu is a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms include: Headaches, cough, nausea, body aches and chills, fever, and intense fatigue. Treatment for the Flu is recommended rest, sleep, hydration and Tylenol. Ways to help prevent the Flu from spreading includes proper and frequent hand washing, getting a recommended Flu Vaccine per CDC guidelines (Flu Vaccine – The flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. This year the CDC recommends that all children from ages 6 months to 19 years get a flu vaccine every fall or winter), and adequate sleep which consists of 9-10 or more hours a night.
** Use only Tylenol (acetaminophen) to treat fever and body aches in children through 18 years old. Never use aspirin to treat flu or cold symptoms in children as it can cause serious complications such as Reyes Syndrome.
Proper hand washing is proven effective treatment in preventing the spread of infection and illness. Wash your hands and encourage your child to wash his/her hands.
PROPER HANDWASHING
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them.
PEDICULOSIS (Head Lice):
Guidelines and protocols reflect evidence-based practices for our policies implemented within our school. We will periodically provide families of ALL children information for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice. For more information regarding head lice please visit: http://identify.us.com.
Head lice are small parasitic insects exquisitely adapted to living mainly on the scalp and neck hairs of their host. Their presence does not connote a lack of hygiene or sanitation of their host. Head lice are not able to fly or jump and can be acquired by direct contact with an infected person.
The most common symptom is itching. Individuals with head lice infestation may scratch the scalp to alleviate itching. The new guidelines say that head lice infestation does not warrant exclusion from school, mass screening, or notification of classmates.
When to stay home:
“Healthy Children Learn Better” — If your child experiences other symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, sore throat, or increased coughing, please use your judgement and keep them home for a “sick day.” Proper rest, nutrition, and hydration aid in healing children faster and allow them to feel better. Below are some guidelines for when children need to stay home:
- FEVER – if your child presents with a fever over 100 degrees they should not return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours without any medication.
- VOMITING/DIARRHEA – If your child experiences more than one episode of vomiting or diarrhea, even if it is not associated with a fever, they should not attend school.
- RED EYES – This can be a sign of conjunctivitis, especially if drainage and itching are associated. Not all conjunctivitis is contagious, however until we know for sure, which means we must have a note from the doctor stating the condition is not contagious, or has been treated, your child must remain out of school.
STATE REQUIRED SCREENINGS:
In the state of Delaware school nurses are required to screen children for vision and hearing problems yearly. All children in kindergarten and in grades 2 and 4 are tested for vision and hearing problems. Our students in grade 5 and grade 6 will receive a postural and gait screening and their spines are examined for scoliosis. The nurse may also be weighing and measuring the children. This data is confidential for each student and is entered into his/her school health record. If the nurse finds an irregularity with your child’s vision or hearing, you will receive the details and a request for follow-up with a physician. A referral following school screening does not mean that your child needs glasses, has a hearing deficit or has scoliosis. It does mean, however, that further evaluation is needed.
CRUTCHES/WHEELCHAIR AND ELEVATOR USE POLICY:
The elevator is open to any students who have received a note from a physician, directly stating that they cannot use the stairs. The elevator is also open to students who have permanent disabilities such as being in wheelchair.
Any student experiencing mobility problems or having a physical condition requiring the use of crutches/wheelchair and/or the school elevator, should bring a doctor’s note to the school nurse with the following information:
- diagnosis and/or reason for crutches/wheelchair and/or elevator
- duration of crutches/wheelchair and/or elevator use
- Physician’s signature and contact information
For Elementary (K – 6th grade) School students: After the school nurse obtains and verifies the doctor’s note, the nurse will contact the classroom teachers to create a plan to assist the student with the elevator.
For Middle School students: After the school nurse obtains and verifies the doctor’s note, the student will report meet with an administrator to receive instructions on how to use the elevator.
Students who are on the elevator without permission will be considered as “unauthorized presence in any school area” and the Family Handbook will be followed.