Immunization Update & Physical Exam Forms
The following students needs to submit a current (within 13 months) physical exam/immunization form: - all students entering Pre-K - form to include documentation of the following: - lead test date - up to date immunizations (4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 1 MMR, 1 Varicella, 3 Hep B, 4 HIB) - all students entering Kindergarten - form to include documentation of the following: - lead test date - vision screening - performed by Primary Care Physician or Eye Care Specialist - up to date immunizations (5 DTaP, 4 Polio, 2 MMR, 2 Varicella, 3 Hep B, 4 HIB) - all students entering Grade 7 - form to include up to date immunizations (5 DTaP, 4 Polio, 2 MMR, 2 Varicella, 3 HepB, 1 Tdap, 1 Meningococcal ) - all new students Grades 1-6 and Grade 8 - form to include up to date immunizations (5 DTaP, 4 Polio, 2 MMR, 2 Varicella, 3 Hep B (for all), 1 Tdap for Grade 8 only) - all Grade 5-8 students planning to participate in SMS Sports Programs - form to include medical clearance to participate in athletics - please submit a copy of your child's COVID-19 vaccination card if your child has received the vaccine State Mandated Screening State Mandated Vision/Hearing, Height/Weight/BMI, and Postural screenings are performed during the school year as follows: Vision - Grades PreK- 5, once in Grades 6-8 Hearing - Grades K-3, once in grades 6-8 Height/Weight/BMI - Grades 1, 4, & 7 Postural - Grades 5 - 8 If you receive a referral regarding your child’s vision, hearing, or postural screening, please follow-up with your provider and communicate results to the School Nurse. Thank you. Pediculosis Capitis (Head Lice)
Since this condition does not pose a true health risk, students are not excluded from school and the "nit-free" return to school policy is no longer in effect, provided that cases are being effectively treated as recommended by the School Nurse. Parents are asked to inform the School Nurse of all cases, and the student and a parent are to report to the School Nurse after treatment is started for consultation and further guidance. If there are 3 or more cases in a classroom, all of the students in that classroom will be screened for head lice, and a notification letter will be sent home to parents. Head lice do not jump or fly, but are spread by direct head to head contact. Preventive measures include avoiding free sweeping hair that that can act as "bridges" between heads, allowing transmission from one person to another. Wearing hair up and close to the head is recommended. Students should avoid close head to head contact with each other, and should not share hair accessories or hats. As always, if there are any questions or individual concerns, parents are encouraged to contact the School Nurse. Sports Physicals
All students participating St. Mary's Sports Programs must have a current (within 13 months of the current season) physical exam form on file in the School Nurse's office prior to participating in any practice, meet, or game. On the form, it must be clearly indicated by the physician that the student may participate in competitive sports. Students may not participate without medical clearance. *All SMS Sports Program participants must maintain current medical clearance in order to participate. If you have any questions regarding physical exam forms, requirements, or to determine if your child's documentation is up to date, please contact the School Nurse. Thank You. Food Allergies If your child has a Potentially Life Threatening Food Allergy, please contact the School Nurse so that a care plan may be developed and appropriate precautions may be implemented. |
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Weather Preparedness
As always, all children will go outside for recess whenever possible. Please be sure to stay informed regarding the daily weather forecast so that your child is prepared to play outside daily. Thank you.
Please be sure to send plenty fresh water to school with your child each day and please remember to apply sunscreen as part of their morning routine. Visit the following link for more safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Sun-and-Water-Safety-Tips.aspx
*Please do not send sports drinks, energy drinks, soda, iced tea, lemonade, etc. to school; only water in a spill-proof container is acceptable to drink throughout the school day. Thank you.
Sidewalk Safety
- Please make safety part of your child's daily routine by always using the crosswalks and following the
instructions of the crossing guard.
- Under no circumstances should any student be discharged from a running vehicle pulled over to the curb
on the St. Mary's School side of Myrtle St. This creates a safety hazard not only for your child, but for other
children, the crossing guard and other drivers on the road. Please park your vehicle safely and use the
crosswalk.
- Students should always exit their vehicle onto the sidewalk, never directly onto the street.
- These safety practices apply to students in all grade levels, Pre-K thru Grade 8.
- These safety practices apply during every season and during every type of weather.
Absence from School
Please notify the school if your child will be absent by calling or emailing the School Nurse prior to the start of the school day. In the interest of your child’s safety, you will be contacted if your child is absent, but we have not heard from you.
Your child should stay home from school with any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.0 degrees or higher - must be 24 hours fever-free and
Acetaminophen/Tylenol/Ibuprofen/Motrin/Advil-free before returning to school
- Vomiting and/or Diarrhea - 24 hours with no vomiting/diarrhea and your child must resume and tolerate
his/her normal diet without any vomiting or diarrhea before returning to school
- Any cold in which your child is unable to manage his/her cough and /or secretions effectively, especially in
the younger grades
- A diagnosis of Strep infection and/or Conjunctivitis requires a minimum of 24 hours of antibiotic
treatment before returning to school, in addition to being fever- free and secretion/drainage-free for 24
hours
Please inform the School Nurse of all cases of COVID-19, Strep, Flu, Pneumonia, and Conjunctivitis (including those which may occur on non-school days). Since these illnesses are highly contagious, if there are multiple cases within a classroom, parents in that classroom will be provided with information to assist in decreasing the of spread the illness.
* Please inform the School Nurse if your child is diagnosed with any vaccine preventable illness, such as Measles, German Measles, Chicken Pox, Pertussis/Whooping Cough, or Meningitis, so that appropriate precautions may be taken.
Medication
If your child needs to keep medication at school, please bring it to the School Nurse's office. All medication, accompanied by the corresponding physician's orders and 2 wallet sized photographs, must be delivered to the Nurse's office by a parent/guardian. The appropriate permission forms may be completed at this time. Students are not permitted to carry medication at any time while in school.