HEALTH AND MEDICATION POLICY
We hope that your child will not become ill, nevertheless this may happen. It is very important that you plan for your child’s care should they must stay at home.
Children must not be at school if they have:
An illness that prevents them from taking part in all of the daily activities
An illness that requires more care than teachers can provide without affecting the health and safety of other children and staff
A very infectious disease, such as:
• Food borne illnesses (all causes, ie; Salmonella)
• Diphtheria
• Giardiasis
• Hepatitis A, B and C
• German measles (Rubella)
• Bacterial or viral meningitis
• Hemolytic Uremic syndrome (the E Coli toxin of Hemorrhagic colitis or hamburger disease)
• Meningococcal disease (Bacteremia or Meningitis)
• Chicken Pox
• Whooping cough (Pertussis)
• Impetigo
• Scabies
• Lice
Please notify the school immediately if you child develops any communicable disease, including any listed above.
Your child may be sent home if an undiagnosed skin rash develops while at the school. The school will need a note from the Doctor to ensure clearance they are not contagious and that the child is well enough to be at the school.
In the case of a communicable disease, please have a physician’s approval prior to returning to school. Your child may return to school with a note from the doctor specifying it is safe to return to class, when the child is able to participate in all class activities.
If your child has been prescribed antibiotics, they may not return to school until 24 hours have passed from the time they took the first dose and the symptoms have improved. After that time the antibiotics can be administered by a teacher, as long as it is a doctor prescribed medication and the necessary forms have been completed and submitted to the school. If your child required medication, he/she may not be well enough to attend school.
Please plan ahead by making arrangements for alternative care for your child, as it is common for children to become ill and require care at home, especially younger children. Please ensure that your emergency contact information is up to date at the school in case we need to contact you should your child become ill while at school.
We also require that you keep your child at home until 24 hours have passed from the last time he exhibits any of the following symptoms: Fever and Common Cold
• Fever
Measurement method Fever Temperature
Mouth 37.6°C (99.68°F)
Armpit 37.4°C (99.32°F)
Ear and Infrared Forehead 37.8°C (100.04°F)
The teacher will call you to pick up your child, if their temperature is higher than the normal temperature range in the chart, as it would be considered a fever.
• Common Cold
Stuffy, runny nose
Scratchy, tichly throat
Sneezing
Watering eyes
Sore throat
Mild hacking cough
Achy muscles and bones
Young children get many colds, sometimes, as many as 8-10 each year before they are 2 years old. Colds tend to be more common in the Fall and Winter when children are indoors and in closer contact with each other, so it may seem like your child has cold after cold all Winter long. Young children have more colds than older children and adults because they have not built up immunity to the more than 100 different cold viruses that exist. Typically by the time they start primary school, children who have attended group activities will have fewer colds than other children.
Diarrhea
A child has diarrhea when he/she has more than 2 bowel movements in a short period of time, and stools are less formed and more watery than usual. They may also have the added symptoms of fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, cramps and blood and/or mucus in bowel movement. The teacher will notify you after any of the symptoms above are noticed while at school; your child must be picked up and remain at home for at least 48 hours after their last loose bowel movement, and cessation of all other symptoms before returning to school.
Sickness and Vomiting
When your child has vomited more than once while attending school, a teacher will notify you and your child will have to be picked up. Your child must then stay home at lease 48 hours after the last occurrence of vomiting.
Ear Infections
A middle ear infection often occurs after another illness, such as a cold. Along with the usual symptoms of a cold, including fever, sore throat, lack of energy and loss of appetite, children with ear infections may:
Have an ear ache
Tug of pull both ears; and
Be irritable (fussy)
Have lack of response to soft sounds
Have trouble sleeping
Other symptoms, though less common, are:
Fluid draining from their ears;
Loss of balance.
If given antibiotics for an ear infection, your child may attend school when 24 hours have passed from the first dose of antibiotics, if she/he does not have a fever, and is able to take part in all school activities.
Pinkeyes (Conjunctivitis)
Children with pinkeye complain of a scratchy feeling or pain in their eyes and may have a lot of watery or pus discharge. The infection turns the shite of the eyes pink or red. When the child wakes up after a sleep pus or discharge often makes the eyelid stick together. If a teacher notices these symptoms, you will be asked to pick up your child to consult a doctor for diagnosis. If given antibiotics, your child must remain at home 24 hours after the start of treatment before returning to school, as this is a highly infectious illness.
Hand, Food & Mouth Disease
This is not a sever disease, it may cause:
Fever
Headache
Sore throat
Lack of energy
Small, painful ulcers in the mouth
Skin rash
The skin rash consists of red spots, often topped by small blisters. It usually appears on the hands and feet but can appear on other parts of the body as well. The teacher will notify you when they notice these symptoms. You will be required to pick up your child and see a doctor for diagnosis. You must have a doctor’s note allowing the child to return to school, when the child is able to participate in all class activities.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by Streptococcus (strep) and Staphylococcus (Staph) bacteria. A child will have a skin rash characterized by a cluster of blisters or red bumps. The blistersmay ooze or be covered with a honey-coloured crust. The rash usually appears around the nose, mouth and pars of the skin not covered by clothes. When the teacher discovers a rash of this description, they will notify you and you will be required to pick up your child and consult a doctor. To return to school, we require a doctor’s note specifying that it is safe for the child to join the class, and if diagnosed with Impetigo the child needs to be on the antibiotic ointment at least 24 hours, before attending school again.
Strep Throat
Children with strep throat often have a fever and complain of sore throat, headache and stomachache. They may also have swollen, tender glands in the neck, or sores around the nose. When a teacher notices these symptoms, they will call you and ask you to pick up your child and you will need to take your child to the doctor for confirmation. If suspected by the doctor, the child must remain at home until confirmation; unless the doctor provides a note specifying that it is safe for the child to return or has been on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning, as it is highly infectious.
Fifth Disease
This is an infection of the respiratory system, and is caused by a virus. It begins as a very red rash on the cheeks; one to four days later, a red, lace-like rash appears, first on the arms and then on the rest of the body. The rash may last from 1 to 3 weeks and may be accompanied by a fever. If a teacher discovers the rash, you will be asked to pick up your child and see a doctor for diagnosis. Your child may return to school with a note from the doctor specifying it is safe to return to class. Your child must be free from fever and able to participate in all class activities.
Lice
Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp. They lay their eggs, called nits, which stick to hair very close to the scalp. Head lice can be spread through direct head-to-head contact with a person who has lice. They can also be spread by sharing combs, hats, hairbrushes and headphones. For guidelines on how to look for lice, please ask a teacher.
If a teacher suspects your child has lice, you will be asked to pick up your child, and check his head for infestation, then again after one week and then again in two weeks, even after treatment. If one member of the family has lice, we suggest that all family members (adults and children) are checked and treated at the same time. A prescription is not needed for treatment, there are several over-the-counter treatments available – your doctor or a pharmacist can advise you. A child cannot return to school until they have undergone treatment, as lice spread very easily.
Children must not be at school if they have:
An illness that prevents them from taking part in all of the daily activities
An illness that requires more care than teachers can provide without affecting the health and safety of other children and staff
A very infectious disease, such as:
• Food borne illnesses (all causes, ie; Salmonella)
• Diphtheria
• Giardiasis
• Hepatitis A, B and C
• German measles (Rubella)
• Bacterial or viral meningitis
• Hemolytic Uremic syndrome (the E Coli toxin of Hemorrhagic colitis or hamburger disease)
• Meningococcal disease (Bacteremia or Meningitis)
• Chicken Pox
• Whooping cough (Pertussis)
• Impetigo
• Scabies
• Lice
Please notify the school immediately if you child develops any communicable disease, including any listed above.
Your child may be sent home if an undiagnosed skin rash develops while at the school. The school will need a note from the Doctor to ensure clearance they are not contagious and that the child is well enough to be at the school.
In the case of a communicable disease, please have a physician’s approval prior to returning to school. Your child may return to school with a note from the doctor specifying it is safe to return to class, when the child is able to participate in all class activities.
If your child has been prescribed antibiotics, they may not return to school until 24 hours have passed from the time they took the first dose and the symptoms have improved. After that time the antibiotics can be administered by a teacher, as long as it is a doctor prescribed medication and the necessary forms have been completed and submitted to the school. If your child required medication, he/she may not be well enough to attend school.
Please plan ahead by making arrangements for alternative care for your child, as it is common for children to become ill and require care at home, especially younger children. Please ensure that your emergency contact information is up to date at the school in case we need to contact you should your child become ill while at school.
We also require that you keep your child at home until 24 hours have passed from the last time he exhibits any of the following symptoms: Fever and Common Cold
• Fever
Measurement method Fever Temperature
Mouth 37.6°C (99.68°F)
Armpit 37.4°C (99.32°F)
Ear and Infrared Forehead 37.8°C (100.04°F)
The teacher will call you to pick up your child, if their temperature is higher than the normal temperature range in the chart, as it would be considered a fever.
• Common Cold
Stuffy, runny nose
Scratchy, tichly throat
Sneezing
Watering eyes
Sore throat
Mild hacking cough
Achy muscles and bones
Young children get many colds, sometimes, as many as 8-10 each year before they are 2 years old. Colds tend to be more common in the Fall and Winter when children are indoors and in closer contact with each other, so it may seem like your child has cold after cold all Winter long. Young children have more colds than older children and adults because they have not built up immunity to the more than 100 different cold viruses that exist. Typically by the time they start primary school, children who have attended group activities will have fewer colds than other children.
Diarrhea
A child has diarrhea when he/she has more than 2 bowel movements in a short period of time, and stools are less formed and more watery than usual. They may also have the added symptoms of fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, cramps and blood and/or mucus in bowel movement. The teacher will notify you after any of the symptoms above are noticed while at school; your child must be picked up and remain at home for at least 48 hours after their last loose bowel movement, and cessation of all other symptoms before returning to school.
Sickness and Vomiting
When your child has vomited more than once while attending school, a teacher will notify you and your child will have to be picked up. Your child must then stay home at lease 48 hours after the last occurrence of vomiting.
Ear Infections
A middle ear infection often occurs after another illness, such as a cold. Along with the usual symptoms of a cold, including fever, sore throat, lack of energy and loss of appetite, children with ear infections may:
Have an ear ache
Tug of pull both ears; and
Be irritable (fussy)
Have lack of response to soft sounds
Have trouble sleeping
Other symptoms, though less common, are:
Fluid draining from their ears;
Loss of balance.
If given antibiotics for an ear infection, your child may attend school when 24 hours have passed from the first dose of antibiotics, if she/he does not have a fever, and is able to take part in all school activities.
Pinkeyes (Conjunctivitis)
Children with pinkeye complain of a scratchy feeling or pain in their eyes and may have a lot of watery or pus discharge. The infection turns the shite of the eyes pink or red. When the child wakes up after a sleep pus or discharge often makes the eyelid stick together. If a teacher notices these symptoms, you will be asked to pick up your child to consult a doctor for diagnosis. If given antibiotics, your child must remain at home 24 hours after the start of treatment before returning to school, as this is a highly infectious illness.
Hand, Food & Mouth Disease
This is not a sever disease, it may cause:
Fever
Headache
Sore throat
Lack of energy
Small, painful ulcers in the mouth
Skin rash
The skin rash consists of red spots, often topped by small blisters. It usually appears on the hands and feet but can appear on other parts of the body as well. The teacher will notify you when they notice these symptoms. You will be required to pick up your child and see a doctor for diagnosis. You must have a doctor’s note allowing the child to return to school, when the child is able to participate in all class activities.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by Streptococcus (strep) and Staphylococcus (Staph) bacteria. A child will have a skin rash characterized by a cluster of blisters or red bumps. The blistersmay ooze or be covered with a honey-coloured crust. The rash usually appears around the nose, mouth and pars of the skin not covered by clothes. When the teacher discovers a rash of this description, they will notify you and you will be required to pick up your child and consult a doctor. To return to school, we require a doctor’s note specifying that it is safe for the child to join the class, and if diagnosed with Impetigo the child needs to be on the antibiotic ointment at least 24 hours, before attending school again.
Strep Throat
Children with strep throat often have a fever and complain of sore throat, headache and stomachache. They may also have swollen, tender glands in the neck, or sores around the nose. When a teacher notices these symptoms, they will call you and ask you to pick up your child and you will need to take your child to the doctor for confirmation. If suspected by the doctor, the child must remain at home until confirmation; unless the doctor provides a note specifying that it is safe for the child to return or has been on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning, as it is highly infectious.
Fifth Disease
This is an infection of the respiratory system, and is caused by a virus. It begins as a very red rash on the cheeks; one to four days later, a red, lace-like rash appears, first on the arms and then on the rest of the body. The rash may last from 1 to 3 weeks and may be accompanied by a fever. If a teacher discovers the rash, you will be asked to pick up your child and see a doctor for diagnosis. Your child may return to school with a note from the doctor specifying it is safe to return to class. Your child must be free from fever and able to participate in all class activities.
Lice
Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp. They lay their eggs, called nits, which stick to hair very close to the scalp. Head lice can be spread through direct head-to-head contact with a person who has lice. They can also be spread by sharing combs, hats, hairbrushes and headphones. For guidelines on how to look for lice, please ask a teacher.
If a teacher suspects your child has lice, you will be asked to pick up your child, and check his head for infestation, then again after one week and then again in two weeks, even after treatment. If one member of the family has lice, we suggest that all family members (adults and children) are checked and treated at the same time. A prescription is not needed for treatment, there are several over-the-counter treatments available – your doctor or a pharmacist can advise you. A child cannot return to school until they have undergone treatment, as lice spread very easily.
If a child is not able to participate in classroom activities, or whose symptoms indicate an illness that can be easily communicated to other children, or staff, then the school will ask you to pick up your child. Teachers will always put the children’s health first, and are very respectful of your time: asking a parent to pick up their child if he/she appears ill is done only after careful observation of the child and any symptoms.