PARENTS

The safety and welfare of our students during the educational day is our top concern. By working together, we can educate and build awareness regarding illness in our community, enforce hand hygiene, monitor wellness and follow guidelines and protocols to ensure a safe environment.

Early detection is a part of disease mitigation and we will work closely with the Amarillo Health Department during times of increased health concern.

St Andrew’s will strictly enforce our illness policy and when students should stay home. If your child becomes ill while at school, we will ask that parents promptly make arrangements to pick up their student.

WE WILL ROUTINELY TEACH AND REINFORCE:

• Proper hand washing

• Washing hands before and after certain activities

• Cough and Sneeze etiquette

• Keeping hands away from eyes, nose and mouth

• Staying home if sick

COMMON DISEASES REQUIRED EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL. THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST.

Acute Contagious Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Bacterial Meningitis

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Diarrhea

Fever

Hepatitis A

Influenza (Flu)

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Mononucleosis (Mono)

Salmonella

Shingles

Streptococcal Disease (Strep Throat)

Reporting Reportable Disease to the State of Texas

Upon receiving confirmation by a parent/guardian, healthcare provider, nurse or other responsible source that the student has a communicable disease, the school nurse will contact the Department of Health-Amarillo with reportable diseases. Please note the attached list of Reportable Communicable Diseases. The following information is required when reporting:

• Student’s name

• Student’s date of birth

• Family health care provider’s name and phone number

• Home phone number

• Name of the suspected communicable disease

• Last day student attended school

• Name of school

ONLINE RESOURCES

Department of State Health Services

Center for Disease Control

Amarillo Public Health

State law requires children to be immunized against certain vaccine preventable diseases to attend school in Texas. Students can not go to school without appropriate documentation for the required vaccines or valid medical or conscientious exemption. Vaccine Records are due PRIOR to your students’ first day of school.

The following link outlines the requirement in TEXAS as well as exclusion from compliance. PLEASE NOTE: The state of Texas will require students to have up-to-date immunization records or a valid medical or conscientious exemption to start the school year, regardless of whether the student participates in on campus or virtual instruction.

K-12 Immunization Requirements

Pre-K Immunization Requirements

Exclusion from Immunizations

Immunization Requirements FAQ

VISION, HEARING AND SPINAL SCREENING POLICY

The Texas Department of State Health Services Vision, Hearing and Spinal Screening requirements mandate that all children must be screened or have a professional examination for possible vision, hearing and spinal curvature problems.

The Vision and Hearing requirements apply each year for children enrolled in any licensed child-care center and licensed child care home or school program at the ages or grades listed below:

Children who turn 4-years-old by September 1, kindergartners or any other first-time entrants (4 years* through 12th grade) – screening must be done within 120 days of admission

1st-, 3rd-, 5th- and 7th graders – screening must be done anytime within the school year (preferably within 120 days)

The requirements for Spinal Screening apply each year for all children who attend public and private schools, to detect abnormal spinal curvature in accordance with the following schedule:

Girls (two times) – screening must be done at age 10 (or fall semester of grade 5) and age 12 (or fall semester of grade 7)

Boys (one time) – age 13 or 14 (of fall semester of grade 8)

A student may be exempted from the mandated Spinal Screening if the parent/guardian submits a record to the school nurse prior to the spinal screening at the campus. The professional examination must be properly conducted during the grade year in which the screening is required.

The school nurse routinely assesses illness and treats minor injuries at school, but they also have training, skills and resources to assist in the event of a serious emergency. Response activities include identifying emergent situations, managing the emergency until relieved by EMS, communicate the assessment and interventions to EMS, and following up with healthcare provider

SAES has Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and emergency first aid supplies accessible to all areas of campus.

If your student has any of the following, please have your physician complete the following plans in order to care for your child accordingly.

Allergy Action Plan

Asthma Action Plan

Diabetes Medical Management Plan

Seizure Action Plan

Self Administer Prescription

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IF YOUR STUDENT HAS A FOOD ALLERGY

Parents must inform the school nurse of students’ specific food allergy and indicate on health information form.

Complete the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care plan

If medication is prescribed a Medication Form must be completed by the parent and physician. As well as if the medication can be self-administered by the student.

RESOURCES

Food and Allergy Anaphylaxis Network

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

If children are sick they should stay home. We understand that it is hard for parents/guardians when children are sick and cannot attend school. There are many times when you are not sure whether you should keep your child out of school. In order to prevent the spread of illness to a minimum, we ask that you follow school policy when deciding whether or not to send your child to school in the morning. Please keep your child home if he/she has any of the following:

A fever of 100.4 or higher. A student must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Diarrhea- They can return once a full school day has passed and they have been 24 hours diarrhea free.

Vomiting- They can return once a full day has passed and they have been 24 hours vomiting free.

A blustery sore or rash, especially accompanied by fever.

Heavy nasal congestion or have a persistent cough.

If your child requires pain medication stronger than acetaminophen or ibuprofen your student should not attend school.

Chicken Pox/Shingles- Stay home until all sores are scabbed over, Physician note required to return.

If your child has been diagnosed with strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), ringworm, impetigo, coxsackie virus, scarlet fever, or fifths disease they can return to school 24 hours after treatment has begun as well as being fever free without use of fever-reducing medications

If your student is diagnosed with influenza or COVID-19, they should remain home until they are 24 hours fever free without fever-reducing medication, coughing and congestion have improved.

Parents aware that their student has a communicable disease or contagious disease are asked to inform the school nurse so that other students who have been exposed to the disease can be alerted if deemed necessary. These illnesses include but are not limited to whooping cough, chicken pox, mumps, measles, ringworm of the scalp, live lice, fever, pink eye, fifths disease, and strep throat. A physician’s note is required before your child may return to school after being diagnosed with a contagious disease.

SAES has stock and standings orders for over the counter medications for students. In order for students to receive these non prescription medications while at school, the parent must complete and sign the Over-the-Counter Medication Form

A Medication Form must be completed by parent and physician for all prescription medication. Medication must be in the original container and be properly labeled. When the duration of the medication is completed, unused portions of the drug should be picked up by the parent at the end of the school year or it will be properly disposed of.

Please see our Medication Policy.

JESSICA MERRELL

Director of Health Services

jmerrell@standrewsschool.org

806-376-9501 EXT 1105