CRUTCHES AT SCHOOL
If your student has an injury requiring the use of crutches during the school day a physicians order is required according to district policy. Please bring a copy of the doctor's order to the clinic. The order should designate the expected length of time crutches will be needed.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/factsheet_heat.shtm
Heat can create serious health problems. Usually the elderly, the very young, the sick and those without access to air conditioning are most severely affected by heat.
Symptoms of heat illness include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, nausea, weak but rapid pulse, and headaches. People with these symptoms should find shade, drink water slowly and make sure there is good ventilation.
If fluids are not replaced soon enough, heat stroke can follow causing extremely high body temperature, red and dry skin, rapid pulse, confusion, brain damage, loss of consciousness and death. To help a person showing severe symptoms, get the victim into shade, call for emergency medical services and start cooling the person immediately with cool water or by fanning.
Staying in an air-conditioned area, either at home or in a public place such as a mall, library or recreation center, is the most effective way to combat heat. If air conditioning is not available, pull the shades over the windows and use cross-ventilation and fans to cool rooms.
A cool shower or bath also is an effective way to cool off. Limit the use of stoves and ovens to keep home temperatures lower. Children especially can quickly become dehydrated. They need to drink fluids frequently, especially water, and wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid drinks that are heavily sweetened or contain caffeine. Check on children often, especially if they are playing outside in high temperatures.
Other heat precautions include:
•Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle during hot weather, even for a short time.
•Drink plenty of fluids but avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar. Start drinking fluids before going out into the heat.
•Plan strenuous outdoor activity for early morning or evening when the temperature is lower.
•Take frequent breaks when working outside.
•Wear sun block, hats and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
•Stay indoors in air conditioning as much as possible.
•Eat more frequently, but be sure meals are well balanced and light.
•Don’t dress infants in heavy clothing or wrap them in blankets.
•Check frequently on the elderly and those who are ill or may need help.
•Check with a doctor about the effects of sun and heat when taking prescription drugs, especially diuretics or antihistamines.
•At first signs of heat illness – dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps – move to a cooler place, rest a few minutes, then slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if conditions do not improve.
The best defense against heat-related illness is prevention. Staying cool, drinking plenty of fluids, wearing cool clothing and monitoring outdoor activities are keys to staying healthy in hot weather.
TEXAS DSHS HEAT PRECAUTIONS
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
EMERGENCIES & ILLNESS AT SCHOOL
A Student Health Information Form will be sent home with your child at the beginning of the school year. It is very important you complete and return this form immediately. This form will give you an opportunity to list any medical conditions, allergies, medications and concerns you may have. It also includes emergency information for the clinic staff. This information is used to contact you or a person you designate if needed for your child. If a student has a medical emergency at school or a school-related activity when the parent cannot be reached, the school may have to rely on previously provided written parental consent to obtain emergency medical treatment and information about allergies to medications, foods, insect bites, etc. Therefore, parents are asked each year to complete an emergency care consent form. Parents should keep emergency care information up-to-date (name of doctor, emergency phone numbers, allergies, etc.) Please contact the school nurse to update any information that the nurse or the teacher needs to know. In the case of an emergency requiring the care of a physician and school staff are unable to contact you or the person(s) you have designated as your emergency contact, school officials will determine what steps will be taken to protect the health of your child, including calling 911 and transporting your child to a medical facility. Note that the District has no financial responsibility for the emergency care or transportation of your child.
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When your child is ill, please contact the school to let them know he or she won’t be attending that day. It is important to remember that schools must exclude students with certain illnesses for periods of time as identified in state rules. For example, if your child has a fever over 100 degrees, he or she must stay out of school until they are fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications.
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In addition, students with diarrheal illnesses must stay home until he/she is diarrhea free without diarrhea-suppressing medications for at least 24 hours. Illness at school is evaluated by the health service staff in the clinic area. A child who demonstrates the following symptoms should be sent home from school.
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1. Fever of 100 degrees or more.
2. Suspected contagious condition or disease.
3. Vomiting or diarrhea.
4. Severe stomachache, headache, or earache.
5. A child who is too ill to function in the classroom.
A full list of conditions for which the school must exclude children can be obtained from the school nurse.
EMERGENCIAS Y ENFERMEDADES EN LA ESCUELA
“Hoja de Información de Salud del Alumno”. Es muy importante que la llene y devuelva de inmediato. Esta hoja es para que el padre refiera cualquier padecimiento, alergia, medicamentos e inquietudes respecto de la salud de su hijo. La hoja también incluye una sección de información en caso de emergencia para el personal de la clínica. Esta información se usará para llamarlo a usted o a la persona que usted haya nombrado, en caso de que su hijo lo necesite. Si un estudiante tiene una emergencia médica en la escuela o en alguna actividad relacionada con la escuela y no es posible comunicarse con sus padres, la escuela podría tener que utilizar el consentimiento de sus padres previamente provisto por escrito para obtener un tratamiento médico de emergencia e información sobre alergias y medicamentos, alimentos, piquetes de insectos, etc. Por lo tanto, los padres de familia deberán llenar cada año una forma de consentimiento de cuidado de emergencia. Deberán mantener al día la información relacionada con el cuidado de emergencia (nombre del doctor, números telefónicos de emergencia, alergias, etc.). Por favor comuníquese con la enfermera de la escuela para actualizar cualquier
información que la enfermera o maestros deban saber. En caso de una urgencia que requiera la atención de un médico y le sea imposible a la escuela localizar a la persona o personas designadas como contactos de emergencia, la administración escolar determinará qué pasos se seguirán para proteger la salud de su hijo, incluyendo llamar al 911 y transportar a su hijo a un recinto médico. Tome en cuenta que el Distrito no assume ninguna responsabilidad financiera por cuidados de emergencia o transporte de su hijo.
Enfermedades de los estudiantes
Cuando su hijo esté enfermo, por favor comuníquese a la escuela para avisar que el niño no irá ese día. Es importante recordar que las escuelas deberán excluir por un periodo de tiempo a aquellos alumnos que padezcan ciertas enfermedades según
lo indican las reglas estatales. Por ejemplo, si su hijo tiene fiebre de más de 100 grados, el
estudiante deberá permanecer en casa hasta que hayan pasado 24 horas sin que tenga fiebre y sin
haber utilizado medicamentos para reducir la fiebre. Además, aquellos estudiantes que tengan
diarrea deberán permanecer en casa hasta que se haya detenido la diarrea sin haber ingerido
medicamentos para suprimir la diarrea por lo menos 24 horas.
Las enfermedades en la escuela son evaluadas por el personal de la clínica en el área de la clínica. Será necesario mandar a casa al niño que presente cualquiera de los siguientes síntomas.
1. Temperatura de 100 grados o más.
2. Sospecha de enfermedad contagiosa.
3. Vómito o diarrea.
4. Dolor de estómago, cabeza u oído severo.
5. O si el niño se siente tan mal que no puede funcionar en el salón de clases.
La enfermera de la escuela le podrá facilitar una lista completa de condiciones por las cuales la escuela deberá excluir a los niños.