Managing food allergies at school is a collaborative effort between students, families, schools, and healthcare providers. Please contact the school nurse at the beginning of the school year regarding your child's history of food allergy.  We ask that you provide a Food Allergy Action Plan and prescribed medication to the school nurse at the start of school. 

All students are required to have a health examination that has been administered by a healthcare provider.  The health exam must have been done within two years prior to school entry. 

An asthma action plan should be provided to the school nurse at the start of each school year.  It is important to keep a rescue inhaler in the prescription box in the nurse office.  It will be administered by the school nurse in the event of asthma symptoms, including cough, wheeze, or shortness of breath.  Please consult your child's healthcare provider if your child is using his or her rescue inhaler more than twice a week.  A flu shot is recommended for children with a history of asthma prior to the start of the flu season. 

A Food Allergy Action Plan is required at the beginning of each school year for a known food allergy.  The FAAP will be shared with the school cafeteria manager and needed personnel, including your child's homeroom teacher.  Please provide the prescribed medication listed on the FAAP to the school nurse along with contact phone numbers for parents and guardians.  

Acute gastroenteritis is characterized by vomiting usually followed by frequent loose, watery stools and abdominal cramping.  It is sometimes accompanied by a fever and symptoms last two to five days.  The incubation period is 24 to 72 hours.  The period of communicability is during the acute stage and for a short time thereafter while the infectious agent is being excreted.  The protocol for responding to cases of acute gastroenteritis is  as follows:

1. If a student shows any signs or symptoms of vomiting (two or more times) and/or diarrhea (two or more loose stools requiring frequent trips to the bathroom), the child should be excluded from school in order to prevent the spread of disease to other students.
2. When the child is symptom-free for 24 hours and has resumed a normal diet without recurrence of symptoms, he/she many return to school.  

Allergies can be life-threatening and schools must minimize risks to provide a safe environment for students with allergies. The Red Clay Consolidated School District has approved 2012 guidelines for managing food allergies in the school setting.  It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian of the allergic-student to notify the school nurse of all life-threatening allergies (food, bee sting, latex).  An Allergy Action Plan should be on file for all students with life-threatening allergies at the beginning of each school year.  All medication prescribed in the Allergy Action Plan should be provided by parents to the school nurse.  Medications to treat allergic reactions will be administered at school as directed by the licensed healthcare provider on the Allergy Action Plan.   Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is an inflammation of the eye that is caused by a bacteria, virus, or allergies.  If conjunctivitis is caused by a virus or bacteria, it is easily spread.  The protocol for responding to cases of suspected conjunctivitis is as follows:   Any student with symptoms of bacterial or viral conjunctivitis will be excluded from school until symptoms have resolved or the student has been treated for 24 hours.   Fever Normal body temperatures typically range from 97.6 to 99.6 degrees orally.  However, temperatures can fluctuate during the day or with specific activities.  Most references agree that an oral temperature greater than 100.0 degrees is a fever. Fevers are a symptom and the underlying cause of the fever should be determined.  Most often fevers are caused by infections.  The protocol for responding to cases of fever is as follows:   Any student with a tempearture greater than 100.0 degrees will be excluded from school. Any student who is excluded from school due to a fever should have a temperature within the normal range (less than 100 degrees) for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication (tylenol, advil, etc) prior to returning to school.    Impetigo Impetigo is a skin infection caused by either staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria.  Impetigo is highly contagious and can spread quickly to other students.  The protocol for responding to cases of suspected impetigo is as follows:   Any child with a rash that appears to be impetigo will be excluded from school for 24 hours after treatment has begun to prevent the spread to other students. A doctor's note must be provided upon return to school.    Pediculosis (Head Lice) The school nurse supports and develops appropriate and consistent policies and procedures regarding head lice and the school-age child.    Responsibilities of the school nurse are as follows:   To screen symptomatic student(s) and refer to parent for appropriate treatment To minimize school absences To educate parent and school community   Responsibilities of the parent/student are as follows:   To provide timely and appropriate treatment to rid student's head of lice. To provide ongoing surveillance of student and other household contacts and treat appropriately. To communicate with the school nurse regarding treatment measures taken.   The protocol for responding to cases of pediculosis (head lice) is as folows:   The school nurse will screen for head lice if the child complains of his/her head itching or is noted to be scratching head excessively. If upon examination no live lice or nits (eggs) are found, student returns to class. If nits are present but no live lice are evident, the parent will be contacted to inquire about recent treatment (if it occurred) and to recommend the removal of nits.  The student will return to class. If live lice are present, the parent/guardian will be contacted and it will be recommended that the student be sent home as soon as possible (and no later than the end of the school day) for treatment.   Treatment should commence promptly as to minimize school absence.  The school nurse will determine if the student has been treated adequately and may attend classes upon return to school after treatment.     Tinea (Ringworm) Tinea (ringworm) is a very contagious fungal infection that requires medical treatment.  Tinea can be found on the scalp, body, nails, genitals, and feet.  The protocol for responding to suspected cases of Tinea is as follows:   Any child with a rash that appears to be Tinea (ringworm) will be excluded from school until treatment has begun. The lesion must be covered until the school nurse determines that the treatment is effective. Any child with active Tinea lesions on the scalp will be excluded from school until treatment has begun and must provide a doctor's note to return to school.