Medication Policy Instructions

 

When a student requires medication during the school day, the school nurse or trained medication assistant will administer these medications. 

A “Parent/Physician Authorization "form  may be obtained from the school nurse office or printed off the Hale County Schools Website.  The form must be completed by the parent/legal guardian and signed by the physician (with the exception of over-the-counter medication)  before a medication will be administered. The medication permission form and medication must be registered with the  school nurse. 

Prescription medication must be in the original container, properly labeled (pharmacy label) with the student’s name, prescriber’s name, date of prescription, name of medication, dosage, strength, time interval, route of administering, and the date of drug’s expiration when appropriate.   

Non-prescription medication or over-the-counter medication must be in the original container with label and dosage clearly visible. Non-prescription medication requires parental/guardian written authorization on the Physician/Parent Authorization Form.   The School nurse  will determine if the non-prescription medication is appropriate and whether a physician signature  is necessary. 

All medications will be stored in a designated or locked area in the school nurse office.

*Exception: Students diagnosed with chronic and/or serious health conditions e.g. asthma (requiring an inhaler), severe allergic reaction (requiring an Epi-Pen), diabetes (requiring Insulin), and/or other chronic conditions, may carry their medication on-person, if deemed appropriate by the students physician, parent and school nurse. 

Self-administration will be allowed upon written authorization from the physician and parent/guardian on the Physician/Parent Authorization form. No controlled medications will be kept on-person. 

The parent/legal guardian should bring controlled medications to school. Controlled medications will be kept in a designated locked area. Children transporting medication is not advised.

 

    If your child is running a fever of 100⁰ or higher. Please keep your child at home until they are fever free for 24 hours with­out the use of fever reducing medications. Please call the school nurse to let her know of the absence and why.

·            If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, please keep them home until 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diar­rhea. Please call the school nurse and let her know of the absence and why.

·            If your child has a rash or lesions of unknown reason, it should be evaluated by a licensed health care provider before returning to school. Please provide a note from the licensed healthcare provider and also notify the school nurse.

·            Hale County School System DOES NOT have a No-nit policy re­garding head lice. However, should you suspect head lice, please treat your child before bringing them to school. Fol­lowing treatment, the student is to be brought to the school nurse for further evaluation. Please call the school nurse if you have any questions.

·            Open sores with or without drainage should always be cov­ered. If you suspect a possible staph infection, please have your child evaluated by a licensed health care provider and contact the school nurse. Please bring a note when the child returns to school.

·            Red or pink eyes, with complaints of itching, pain, watering, drainage or crusting, should be evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider. The child may return after 24 hours after the start of antibiotics. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is highly con­tagious. Please call the school nurse and let her know of the absence and why.

·            If your child has chicken pox, he/she may return after clear­ance from the licensed health care provider and when the blisters are dried and scabbed over (5-10 days after onset). Please call the school nurse and let her know as soon as a diagnosis is made.

·            Please note that Hale County Schools are mandated to report all chickenpox and any other communicable disease cases to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

It is impossible to cover all illnesses. However, it is important for the health of all students, faculty and staff that your child not be at school when sick. However, if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s illness, please call the school nurse or your li­censed health care provider.

ATTENTION PARENTS:
The Alabama Department of Education is urging all parents and students to be educated about the potential health impact of heavy backpacks and to take proactive measures to avoid injury.
Overloaded school backpacks are causing an increasing problem of back pain and spinal strain for students across the nation. Since spinal ligaments and muscles are not fully developed until after age 16, overweight backpacks are a source of repeated low-level stress that may result in chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain in children. Studies have shown that heavy loads carried on the back have the potential to damage the soft tissues of the shoulder, causing microstructural damage to the nerves and damage to internal organs. Studies have shown an increase in curvatures of the spine and compressed intervertebral height when backpacks exceed 10 percent of a child’s body weight.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Backpacks should weigh no more than a maximum of 10 percent of a child’s body weight.
Encourage students to wear both shoulder straps and not sling the backpack over one shoulder.
Student backpacks should have wide, padded adjustable straps that fit their body.
Parents should regularly monitor what is being carried in your student’s backpack. Only essentials needed for the school day should be carried. For more information regarding ACT #2017-19 or other Alabama laws go to sos.alabama.gov/government-records/legislative-acts

Meningococcal disease is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2-18 years of age in the United States.   It can be very serious, even life-threatening in 48 hours or less.   The two most severe and common illnesses caused by meningococcal bacteria include:

Meningitis – an infection of the fluid and lining around the brain and spinal cord

Septicemia – a bloodstream infection

What are the symptoms?

                Symptoms of meningococcal disease are similar to flu and may include:

                *Sudden onset of a high fever              *Increased sensitivity to light

                *Headache                                          *Rash

                *Stiff Neck                                          *Confusion

                *Nausea                                              *Severe aches and pain in the muscles, joints,  

                *Vomiting                                                                  chest and belly.             

How does meningococcal disease spread?

                The disease is spread person to person by sharing respiratory secretions through kissing or coughing, close or length contact, and among people who share a room or live in the same household. Meningococcal outbreaks can occur in communities, schools, or colleges.

Meningococcal Vaccine:

                Adolescents 11 through 18 years of age are routinely recommended for two doses of meningococcal conjugate vaccine. (MCV4)

Who should get vaccinated?

                College freshman living in dormitories.

                Anyone with an immune system disorder.

                Anyone exposed during a meningococcal meningitis outbreak.

For more information ask your doctor, Call the Alabama Department of Public Health at 1-800-469-4599, or go to cdc.gov and type meningococcal vaccine the SEARCH BOX.

What is influenza disease?

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• Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.

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• It infects the nose, throat, and lungs.

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• It can cause mild to severe illness, hospitalization, and even death.

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What are the symptoms?

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• Flu symptoms strike suddenly and can last several days.

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• Symptoms include:

  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills

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  • Cough
  • Sore throat

  • Runny or stuffy nose

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  • Muscle or body aches

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  • Headaches

  • Fatigue (very tired)

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  • Vomiting and diarrhea

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How does influenza disease spread?

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• Spread by droplets from an infected person's cough, sneeze, or talk entering the mouth, eye, or nose.

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• Touching a surface or object with the flu virus and then touching the mouth, eyes, or nose.

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• An infected person can infect others 1 day before symptoms start and up to 5 to 7 days after symptoms start.

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• Young children and people with weakened immune systems might be able to infect others for a longer time.

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How do I prevent the flu?

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• Get a yearly flu vaccine.

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• Wash hands properly and often.

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• Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm.

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• Clean and sterilize surfaces.

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• Stay home if you are sick.

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Where can I find more information?

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• Ask your doctor.

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• Call the Alabama Department of Public Health, Immunization Division, at 1-800-469-4599.

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• Visit cdc.gov and type "influenza" in the SEARCH box.

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Influenza Vaccine

 

Who should get the influenza (flu) vaccine?

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• Recommended yearly for everyone age 6 months or older.

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Who should be vaccinated against influenza because they are at increased risk?

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• Children 6 months to 5 years

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• Adults 65 years or older

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• Pregnant women

• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities

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• People with medical conditions such as:
  • Asthma

  • Chronic lung disease

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  • Heart disease

  • Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease)

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  • Kidney disorders
  • Liver disorders

  • Weakened immune systems (e.g., HIV/AIDS, cancer)

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  • People younger than 19 years on long-term aspirin therapy

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  • People with extreme obesity

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What are the common vaccine side effects and risks?

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• Flu vaccines are safe, but minor side effects can occur, including soreness, redness, swelling, hoarseness, sore/red/itchy eyes, cough, fever, aches, headache, itching, and fatigue.

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• More serious problems may include Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in fewer than 1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated, and a slight increase in fever with seizure in children receiving multiple vaccines.

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• People who should not get the flu vaccine include those with severe, life-threatening allergies, those who had GBS before, or those not feeling well on the day of vaccination.

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Where can I find more information?

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• Ask your doctor or school nurse.

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• Call the Alabama Department of Public Health, Immunization Division, at 1-800-469-4599.

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• Visit cdc.gov and type "influenza" in the SEARCH box.

• www.adph.org