|
 Shari
Kick, R.N.,BSN
Baltimore County Public Schools strive to provide your child with a safe and
healthy learning environment. An
experienced school nurse is assigned
to each school. However, parents know their child the best so good
communication is the key. Don’t be alarmed if you are contacted and please
let us know if there is any change to your child’s health a soon as
possible. Even with the best precautions we still may become ill!
Below are several important policies and protocols that parents/guardians
should be aware of. Children should be kept home when they:
-
Complain of feeling ill in the morning
or won’t eat. Check their temperature. Students should not be sent if
they have a temperature elevation of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more,
even if giving medication lowers their temperature. Students should be
fever free for 24 hours without medication, before returning. This
reduces their chance of relapse or exposure to other illness while their
immune system is still weakened.
-
Have a continuous moist,
productive sneeze or cough or a very red or painful sore throat.
-
If they have vomited or have had
diarrhea within the past 24 hours.
-
If they experience symptoms from a
chronic illness, such as asthma, that do not resolve after medication.
-
If it is suspected or they have been
diagnosed with a communicable disease (examples: strep throat, flu,
etc.) Please report confirmed communicable diseases to the school
nurse as soon as possible. This will help us in alerting others to
look for similar symptoms so that early diagnoses and treatment can
lessen the spread and severity of the illness for everyone!
Baltimore County Public School’s Medication Policies:
Medications must be brought in by an adult and cannot be sent into school
with the child. An Authorization for Medication Administration form is
required for administration of prescribed and over the counter
medications, creams lozenges etc, during school hours. Each medication
requires a separate form that must be completed by a Physician or Nurse
Practioner and signed by the Parent and/or Legal guardian. The physician’s
office may fax completed forms to us at 410-887-4667. Medications must be in
their original pharmacy container with a valid pharmacy label specifically
for the child or they will not be accepted.
Each school has discretionary medications available for children the age of
four years and above. A consent form must be completed by the
parent/guardian each school year. Medications that are available
include: Acetaminophen (like Tylenol), Diphenhydramine (like Benadryl),
chewable antacid tablets (like Tums) and cough drops/throat lozenges. These
medications are for occasional use only. If your child requires any
discretionary medications on an ongoing basis, then a medication order must
be provided along with a supply of the specific medications.
Students are allowed to carry: Saline or salt water nasal spray (very
helpful for preventing nosebleeds and sinus headaches), Chap Stick and
sunscreen. Your child must demonstrate that they have the maturity to use
these items. Please make sure all items are labeled with your child’s name.
Absenteeism:
Please let us know when your child is going to be absent for extended
periods of time. We will phone home if we do not hear from you and your
child has been absent for three consecutive days. We request
documentation from a physician if the student is absent due to illness for
longer than 5 consecutive school days.
Injuries
Riderwood is proud of our students who are practicing a healthy life style
through physical activity! Unfortunately, with physical activity sometimes,
injuries do occur! If your child has suffered an injury that results in the
need of an ace wrap, splint or cast we need to insure that we keep them safe
until they are properly healed. If the injury prevents the student from
participating in Physical Education for more than one week and/or it
requires a splint or cast we will need documentation from the physician
stating their level of activity (i.e. what they can or cannot do) and when
they can resume full physical activities. If a specific date can’t be given
for release, then a physician’s note needs to be provided when the child is
cleared to resume activity.
Emergency Preparedness occur during the school day we are encouraging
parents to supply their children with a complete change of clothing to keep
in their lockers. Having their own clothing makes them feel better and is
more hygienic. Also, include a pair of shoes. Athletic shoes are a good
choice so that they will always have them in case your they forget to wear
them to school for physical education class!
Healthy Tips for school survival:
When you become ill it is usually because you have come in contact with a
virus or harmful bacteria. People usually call them “Germs”; they are a part
of life and they are everywhere! Whenever you are in a public place the risk
of coming in contact with germs increases.
We can reduce the spread and frequency of illness by staying home and taking
care of your self when you are not well (adults and children). Research
has proven that washing your hands with warm water and soap is the number
one way to prevent illness. You should wash your hands whenever your
hands are dirty, after you use the bathroom and especially before you
eat!
Steps for hand washing:
-
Use soap and warm water.
-
Scrub your hands well. Wash between
fingers, wrists, under fingernails and the backs of your hands.
-
Rinse the soap completely off and dry
your hands completely with a paper towel to avoid skin irritation.
-
Turn off water using a paper towel, not
your hands. Remember the handles have the germs on them that you just
washed off!
Other healthy tips:
-
Cough or sneeze into a tissue. If you
don’t have one cough or sneeze into the lower part of your arm or
sleeve, at your elbow, instead of your hand.
-
Do not put your fingers in your eyes,
nose or mouth.
-
Eat healthy. Start off by eating
breakfast. The focus now is on eating a variety of whole grains, dry
beans and peas, dark green and orange vegetables, fruits (go easy on
fruit juices), low fat or fat free calcium or lactose free sources and
low fat or lean meats/ poultry that is baked, broiled or grilled. Go to
MyPyramid.gov to see information and for fun ways to learn about the new
food pyramid.
-
Drink plenty of fluids Water is the
best! You should drink six 8-ounce glasses (1.4 to 1.9 liters) of fluids
per day. When you are ill and feel too sick to eat drink, drink, and
drink! Fruit juices low in sugar or Pedialyte are also good. If you have
a very sore throat or don’t feel like drinking, these juices may be
frozen into healthy popsicles!
-
Get plenty of rest every day: children
ages 5 to 12 years need at least 10 to 11 hours of sleep per night!
-
Exercise regularly: find a fun physical
activity that you like to do! It doesn’t have to be a sport. Ride a
bike, jump rope or take a walk with your family on a regular basis.
-
Practice good hygiene by bathing and
washing your hair regularly, brushing your teeth at least twice daily,
flossing your teeth daily and wearing clean clothes.
-
See a doctor when you are sick or at
least once a year even when you are healthy.
-
Take care of your emotional health too!
Take time to relax or do a fun activity. Talk with others when you are
feeling upset. Seek professional help when needed.
We welcome your input! Please feel free to
contact the school nurse at between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm for any concerns or
questions.
|