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 Health Services Based Programs
The school health program is coordinated by the school nurses and consists of the following services:
. emergency care for all ill or injured students;
. health counseling and consultation for children, parents, and school personnel;
. screening programs to identify hearing, vision, dental or posture problems;
. (Not all students will be involved in all screening programs.)
. health education is an ongoing process; the school nurses may augment health education in the classroom by arranging for speakers, or providing expertise on specific health topics.
Health Topics
Health topics may include dental health, human growth and development, child abuse, and other health related topics. In addition Army Community Services personnel, in accordance with the military regulations, will present information on such topics as The Child Lures School Program, which is a program to help students understand and develop skills to protect themselves against exploitation - including child sexual abuse. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of Elementary School Principals endorse the Child Lures School Program. Announcements about this or any other health related topics deemed sensitive by the school will be provided to the parents prior to the implementation of the program. Parents must notify the school in writing if they do not
State of Health
When children are sent to school it is expected that they will participate in the entire school program to include outdoor play and Physical Education. If there is a physical reason for the curtailment of outdoor play or physical education, a doctor's certificate will be required to delineate the parameters of care. Parents should assure that the child is properly attired for physical education, outdoor play and inclement weather that may be encountered when the child travels to and from school. Generally speaking, if the child is too ill to participate in recess or outdoor activities, he/she should remain at home.
Parents are requested to determine a child's state of health prior to sending the child to school. Everyone is responsible for stopping the spread of contagious conditions. Parents are encouraged to keep their children at home when the children have colds or do not feel well in the morning. Children who are vomiting or running a fever should NOT be sent to school. A child must be FEVER FREE (less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit) for 24 hours without medication before he/she can return to school. This is the only way to ensure that other students are protected from the condition. Remember - "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Contagious Conditions
In accordance with responsible containment of contagious conditions, if you think your child has a contagious disease, please contact your Primary Care Manager or the School Nurse. All contagious diseases should be reported to the school nurse immediately. If a child is suspected of having a medical problem that can be spread to other children, he/she must leave school as soon as possible. Some contagious conditions common among school age children that require a clearance from the school nurse to return to school are the following illnesses: chicken pox, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, pink eye, impetigo, ringworm, pinworm, head lice (nit free), scabies, scarlet fever, strep throat, mononucleosis, and other communicable diseases. It is mandatory that the child has a note from his/her physician in order to return to school and it is cleared through the school nurse. If your child is diagnosed as having strep throat, he/she may not return to school for 48 hrs. from the beginning of antibiotic treatment. It should be noted that parents will be notified if a contagious condition exists in their child's class.
Illness and Injury at School
If a student becomes ill or is injured at school, the school nurse will contact the parents to determine if the child is to be sent home. A "Notification to the Parents" form may be sent home with the younger students when they have visited the health room.
Please remember that an ill or injured child needs your care and concern and should be picked up as soon as possible. An adult must sign out students at the main office when they leave school. Ill children will not be allowed to leave school grounds unaccompanied. Your child's safety is important to us. If your child will be absent for more than three days, please notify the classroom teacher.
Please update phone numbers as soon as changes occur. The following procedure is used when a child is to be sent home:
1. Parents are notified.
2. Emergency contact is notified in the event that parents cannot be reached.
3. In the event parents or emergency contacts cannot be reached, the sponsor's supervisor is notified.
Administration of Medications at School
In accordance with DoDDS policy, the school nurse does not administer medications at school except those that are specific and individually prescribed by a physician. All efforts should be made for arrangements for medication to be given before and after school. It is mandatory that parents provide the following:
. written permission to give medication from the parents and the physician;
. medicine must be in an original pharmacy container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician stating the name of child, name of the medication, the amount to be taken, and the time to be taken:
. medical diagnosis for which the medication was prescribed.
When you take your prescription to the pharmacy to be filled, ask the pharmacist to put the amount of medication needed for the school in a separate container labeled with the above information.
PARENTS MUST BRING THE MEDICATION TO THE NURSE. IT IS THE CHILD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO GO TO THE HEALTH ROOM FOR THE MEDICATION. OTHER SCHOOL STAFF CANNOT ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTERING MEDICATION.
In the case of long-term medication left at the nurses' office it is the parent's responsibility to pick up the medication at the end of the school year. Medication cannot be stored over the summer. New permission slips are needed each school year.
In the case of short-tem illness that requires the use of medications, a schedule should be followed that allows parents to administer the medication before or after school. This includes medication that is ordered three times a day.
All medication must be kept in the nurses' office. Medication should not be left in the students' book bags or in the classroom, to include asthma inhaler. Medications including over- the -counter medications such as, aspirin, Tylenol, cough preparations, cough drops etc. will NOT be given, unless prescribed by a physician. To provide the best health care when there is an injury, illness, or an emergency, it is important the school nurses are notified of any medication a child is taking. Please send a note or call the Health Office. Parents should know that it is the responsibility of the school nurse to notify the classroom teacher of students' medical conditions. The nurse and classroom teacher respect the need for confidentiality.
Immunizations
Students who enroll in DoDDS must meet specific immunization requirements. These requirements displayed below, represent the minimum requirement and do not necessarily reflect the optimal immunization status for a student. The DS FORM 122.1 states:
DT/DP/DTP/DTaP --3 doses given singly or in combination. At least one of which was administered after the fourth birthday and the last one was given within 5 yrs at age 11-12.
HEP B - 3 doses. Those not vaccinated in infancy may begin the series during any visit. (all students under 18 yrs of age)
HIB 2-4 doses in infancy. 3-4 year olds with NO record of Hib in infancy only require ONE dose. (Hib immunization is not required for individuals 5 yr. or older)
MMR Measles, Mumps, Rubella --2 doses of live attenuated vaccine given singly or in combination at least one of which was administered after the 4th birthday.
OPV/OPV/IPV-- 3 doses of Polio Vaccine (oral or injected) Last one of which was administered after the 4th birthday.
PPD/TB TB -testing is recommended every 3 - 5 yr. unless required more frequently by the local medical command.
Varicella -- 1 dose of Varicella Vaccine through the age of 12 years. (2 doses for those 13 or older at least one month apart) or reliable history of the disease.
Child Abuse / Neglect
Every DoDDS employee is required by DS Regulation 2050.2 to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.
Medical and Physical Conditions - Things to Think About
The decrease in physical activity is a contribution to our worldwide concern for obesity and related diseases as stated by the World Health Organization.
Physical-- All students are expected to participate in the entire school program to include outdoor play and Physical Education. Some children may have a medical concern that may limit some of their physical activities. If there is a physical reason for stopping outdoor play or physical education, a doctor's certificate will be required stating how much physical activity is allowed and how long restrictions are needed.
Attire-- Parents should ensure that the child is properly attired for physical education, outdoor play and inclement weather that may be encountered when the child travels to and from school, including footwear that keeps feet dry in inclement weather. It is important that shoes are appropriate and safe for play as well as provide support to the feet. You are encouraged not to send children to school with flip-flops or slip-on sandals, as there is an increased likelihood of injury during play or PE.
Illness-- Generally speaking, if the child is too ill to participate in recess or outdoor activities, he/she should remain at home. This means that special provisions cannot be made to take care of students during recess. The Primary Care Provider or physician should provide a note stating the length of time the child should not participate in physical activity.
Healthy Lifestyles
Healthy Life Style - School Snacks
We are concerned about the healthy lifestyles of all students to include physical education and practicing health education. The Center of Disease Control and the World Health Organization have just published literature stating concern about nutrition and obesity in our youth, thirteen percent of children aged 6-11 and fourteen percent of adolescents aged 12-19yrs are considered overweight. This puts them at high risk for many health related diseases. The Journal of the American Medial Association also has articles concerned about obesity and states one out of seven children are obese.
It is especially true for children that healthy food habits and the ability to eat wisely are learned both at home and at school. Well-planned lunches and snacks are an important part of good nutrition. Snacks can provide servings from the different food groups such as sliced fruit and cottage cheese or low fat yogurt, or an apple or half of a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato. Fresh, raw and dried vegetables and fruit are examples of low fat snacks. Slices of string cheese are lower fat than cheddar. Rice cakes as well as pumpkin, banana or cranberry bread, whole grain crackers, and breads can be low fat and nutritious. Low fat cereals, low fat granola bars, bread sticks, low-fat popcorn, pretzels and graham crackers can also provide low fat snacks.
Convenience foods such as soft drinks, chips, dry noodle soup, high fat foods and candy are not healthy snacks for children. You are encouraged not to send these kinds of snacks. Packaging and labels should be carefully read, as often the seemingly single portion is really 2 servings. However, when the label is read it is for one/half of the item and this can be misleading.
Healthy snacks can be both nutritious and less expensive than convenience food. Water rather than beverages with added sugars such as soft drinks is the best drink for re-hydration. The Base Health Promotions Committee and the HMEDDAC as well as the PHEV staff want to help our youth live and learn healthy habits.
If you are interested in volunteering, please call the Health Office at 06221-338-9054
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