Health Services

The purpose of our Health Services program is to protect and maintain your child's health. To assist us in this task, a certified, registered nurse is on duty at our school, provided through the Auxiliary Services Program of the State of Ohio. The nurse will, periodically, conduct screening examinations in the areas of vision, growth and posture (Scoliosis), weight/height, and hearing.

The nurse will also provide first aid for those who become ill or injured during school hours.

The school nurse is not permitted to diagnose illness or injuries, please do not send your child to the nurse for those purposes. This is your physician's responsibility.

Immunizations

Certain immunization requirements are mandatory under Ohio's Revised Code and these must be met before your child can be considered enrolled. Following is a list of requirements for incoming Kindergarten students:

• 4 doses of DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) - the 4th or 5th doses to be given after the fourth birthday
• 3 doses of (IPV/OPV) - If a 3rd dose was given before the child’s 4th birthday, a 4th dose is necessary
• 2 doses of MMR – May be listed separately as measles, mumps and rubella – 1st dose must be after 1st birthday
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B – At least 4 months from start to end of series
• 3 or 4 doses of Hib – Depends on type and age stated
• 1 dose of Varicella (chicken pox)

AIDS Policy

Children with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) enrolled or seeking enrollment in Grades K through 8 shall be permitted to attend school in a regular classroom setting provided:

• The health of a child, as documented by his/her physician, allows participation in regular academic school activities.
• The child behaves acceptably in a manner that would neither cause or spread the disease nor in any way put others at risk.
• The child does not have open sores, skin eruptions or any other condition which prevents his/her control of bodily secretions.
• There are periodic evaluations of the child's physical condition with written certification from his/her physician allowing continuing participation in regular academic school activities.

Parents/guardians have the obligation to report to the school administration when any child has been diagnosed as having AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; ARC (AIDS Related Complex) or other illness caused by HIV. The board of trustees designee and the principal will confer and consult the area superintendent before a final decision is made by the principal on behalf of West Park Catholic Academy regarding this child

Contagious Illnesses

To help control the spread of contagious illnesses, you are asked to keep your child at home if he/she appears ill. Symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, vomiting, fever and unexplained rashes are some good reasons to keep your child at home. We also stress the importance of reporting any communicable illness to the school nurse. Such things as chicken pox, measles, mumps, strep throat, "pink-eye," impetigo, scabies, etc., must be reported.

Please do not request permission for children to stay inside at recess due to illness. If your child is too sick to go outside then the child is too sick to be in school.

Head Lice

Cases of head lice are on the increase everywhere in the country. We ask your cooperation in helping us to control this nuisance. Remember, lice do not start in school, but are easily passed from one child to another in any situation. You are asked to contact the school nurse and/or the principal if your child is affected with lice so the other children in the classroom may be examined. This is one way to help control the problem, Also, develop the habit of examining your child's hair and scalp on a regular basis. Use a bright light and a magnifying lens to look for the louse itself or the eggs or nits which are the most apparent. These nits appear as silvery flakes of dandruff-like particles that appear to be glued to the hair shaft. If you find any nits or lice in your child’s hair, please treat him/her with a lice killing shampoo and try to remove all of the nits. Children with live lice will be excluded from school. Your child may return to school when all lice have been treated.

Medication Policies

We try to discourage the practice of students taking medication during school hours. We ask that you try to vary the times of the dosage whenever possible so that the medication, prescription and non-prescription, may be taken at home. You also have the option of bringing and giving the medicine to your child during school hours. If these options cannot be arranged, the following requirements must be met:

Non – Prescription Medication

• Obtain a written order from the doctor with instructions for the school personnel and what side effects to watch for.
• You must provide the medication in a properly marked container with the name of the child, the name of the medicine, the dose and time it is to be taken.
• The administration of medication form is to be signed and completed by the parent/guardian(s) and physician.

Prescription Medication

• A completed form signed by the doctor (A Physician's Request for the Administration of Medication by School Personnel) must be on file in the office.
• A completed form by the parent/guardian(s) (A Parent's Request for the Administration of Medication by School Personnel) must be signed and on file in the office.
• Medication must be in a labeled prescription bottle.
• Please remember, even if all these requirements are met, we are not permitted to dispense and give the medication and shall not administer injections. Our responsibility will be to remind the child to take the medicine and to watch the child do so.

Students may carry their own inhalers only if the physician writes it specifically on the medication form.

Hygiene

It is most important that your child comes to school clean and well-groomed. This will not only help his/her self-esteem, but shows consideration for others. We hope your child has developed and will use good hygiene practices while at school. Properly washing hands after using the lavatory, covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing are very important components to good hygiene. Not borrowing combs or caps are also some examples of good basic hygiene.

Early Release

During the school day, a child who wishes to go to the clinic to see the nurse must first obtain permission from his/her teacher. If there is a need to go home, the nurse/office will inform the parent/guardian(s) and the student will be released from the clinic or school office. In the event of an emergency that calls for a student's leaving school before the end of the day, the following steps must be taken:

• Present a note signed by the parent/guardian(s) stating the reason for the absence or early dismissal.
• The student is to have the note signed by the principal or the designee and the teacher must keep it in the classroom.
• No student may leave the school grounds without being excused by the principal or the designee.
• Parent/Guardian(s) are requested to pick students up at the main school office.
• No child will be allowed to walk home during the school day.

Pregnancy Policy

West Park Catholic Academy has adopted a Pregnancy Policy from the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. This policy follows the Catholic principles of the child's health and welfare both physically and educationally. This policy also considers the effect on the other students in our school and is available from the school office upon request.