Athletic Trainer:
Ray Melchiorre
281-440-1060 ext 6464
rmelchiorre@northlandchristian.org
B.A., Bethel College
All coaches and preschool staff are American Red Cross certified for standard first aid and CPR. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are located on both the Preschool/Elementary campus and the Secondary campus.
Immunizations
To comply with the Texas Educational Code Section 2.09, students must present a valid record by a physician or health clinic for the following immunizations:
Preschool: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/school/childcare_reqsENG.pdf
Elementary:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/school/6-14eng.pdf
All newly enrolled students are required to show proof of most recent, applicable vaccinations. Students will be required to maintain an up-to-date immunization record and will be notified if immunizations are non-compliant. Please submit all immunization records to the school nurse. Failure to comply with immunizations, can result in exclusion from school.
To obtain an affidavit for exemption from immunizations for reasons of conscience: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/faq_exemption.pdf
Medications
All medications (including Tylenol and cough drops) must be turned into the nurse (preschool/elementary) or Student Services (secondary). An adult must drop off and pick up the medication at the nurse's office at the preschool/elementary campus. ABSOLUTELY NO MEDICATIONS ARE ALLOWED TO BE IN A STUDENT'S POSSESSION. The clinics do not provide medication. A consent form must be signed and medication must be provided. Click here to obtain a medication authorization consent.
All medications must be kept in the clinic/student services office.
All medications must be in its original container.
Doses must be age appropriate.
Prescription medication must be correctly labeled for that student.
All medications will be locked up.
*All medication is to be picked up by a parent at the end of the school year. No medication will be kept over the summer months.
Inhalers:
Elementary and secondary students with asthma may carry an inhaler with physician approval. A letter from the physician with complete instructions for inhaler use and permission for the student to carry the inhaler must be provided. It is strongly recommended that a spare inhaler be kept in the clinic in case a student is unable to locate their personal inhaler.
EpiPens:
In order for an elementary or secondary student to carry an Epipen, the student must have a written letter from a physician stating that the student is capable of self-administering the medication if needed. It is strongly recommended that a spare epipen be kept in the clinic/office.
Emergencies and Illness
A student medical information form will be sent home at the beginning of each school year. It is very important that you complete and return this form immediately. Completing this form gives you an opportunity to list/update any medical conditions, allergies, medications, and concerns you may have. Also included is emergency contact information. It is imperative that we have current phone numbers and email addresses if the need arises to reach you regarding your child.
Illness at school is evaluated by the health service staff. A child with the following symptoms will be sent home from school:
Fever of 100.4 degrees F. oral (99.4 armpit).
Uncontrolled diarrhea.
Vomiting.
Suspected contagious condition or disease (i.e. pinkeye, croup, lice).
Too ill to function in the classroom (i.e. severe headache, stomachache, earache).
PLEASE NOTE: A child may be re-admitted when temperature has been below 100.4 orally for 24 hours without the use of fever suppressing medications. Therefore, if a child is sent home with a fever, he or she would not be eligible to attend class the following day.
NCS Elementary protocol for lifethreatening allergies:
The following guidelines will be used when a possible life‐threatening allergy is recognized:
1. A letter will be sent home to the parents of students within the class making them aware of the allergy and a request will be made that all the students in the class abstain from bringing food items which could cause the possible reaction (i.e. peanuts, peanut products). There will be a place to sign on the form indicating their level of compliance with the request.
2. Students/parents who agree to abstain from bringing food products that trigger the allergy will be assigned to the “allergy‐free” table with the student who has the allergy.
3. The student with the life‐threatening allergy will not be permitted to wipe tables at cafeteria clean up time.
4. All emergency information will be in the teacher’s substitute folder in the event the classroom teacher is absent.
5. Every effort will be made to keep class parties, special projects, and special functions free of the allergy food.
6. Information and training will be provided to the teacher on how to recognize an allergic reaction and what steps need to be taken should one occur.
7. Teachers will take EpiPens on events away from campus.
8. Pertinent medical information will be requested from the student’s physician. The student’s medical record will reflect the allergy, severity, and what steps should be taken should an allergic reaction occur.
9. No sharing of lunches will be allowed.
10. 9‐1‐1 will be called immediately if a life‐threatening reaction is recognized.Communication
Parents will be notified via email when a student visits the clinic/trainer and receives medication or medical attention. Parents will only be notified by phone if the student needs to be sent home or if the caregiver has ongoing concerns about the student's condition. All incidents and medication administration will be recorded in the student's permanent medical record. Parents of preschoolers will also receive an accident report if the child injures themselves at school. It is of utmost importance that email addresses and phone numbers remain current. Parents are encouraged to notify the nurse/student services of any changes in medications or medical conditions of a student, so their medical record can be kept current.
Screenings
Under the guidelines for the Texas Department of Health, the school nurse will conduct screenings for vision and hearing for students in the 4 year old class, K, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and all students new to the state of Texas.
Spinal screenings will be done by the school nurse on grades 5th and 8th.
The school nurse will also screen for Acanthosis Nigricans for grades 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th. Acanthosis Nigricans is a marker that signals elevated insulin levels and a risk of developing diabetes and other conditions in the future. To screen for AN, the school nurse will examine the back of the students neck. If the marker is noted, the nurse will follow up with blood pressure readings, height, and weight measurements.
Parents will be notified by written letter of any abnormal results. Parents are requested to give results of follow-up care to the nurse.
Disease Control Measures
The following are common communicable diseases and infections. There are some requirements for re-admission to school.
Chicken Pox
Incubation period is 2-3 weeks. Excluded from school until all blisters are crusted over.
Fifth's Disease
Incubation period is 4-20 days. Redness noted to both cheeks and smooth “lacy” rash appears over body. Exclude if he or she has a fever.
Impetigo
Incubation period is 4-10 days. Open blisters on skin generally covered with yellowish crust. Exclude from school until after treatment has begun and keep lesions covered.
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Exclude from school until treatment is started or permission from a physician.
Ringworm
Incubation period is 4-21 days. May return to school once treatment is started and lesions are covered.
Lice
Students found to have nits less than ¼ inch from scalp or live lice will be excluded from school. They will be readmitted when treatment with a medicated shampoo has been given and nits have been removed. A student must be checked by the nurse upon return to school. If the nurse finds live lice or nits the student will be excluded. A second treatment should be given 7 to 10 days after the first. The nurse will need to recheck the student at that time.
Helpful resources:
www.texaslicesquad.com
www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/ lice .html
Strep throat and scarlet fever
Readmit after 24 hours from time antibiotic treatment was begun.
Scabies
Exclude from school until treatment given.
Hepatitis
Incubation period can be 2-6 months. Exclude from school until physicians permission granted.
Measles
Incubation period 7-14 days. Exclude from school until 4 days after onset of rash.
Mumps
Incubation period is 15-25 days. Acute swelling over jaw and in front of one or both ears. Exclude from school nine days from onset of symptoms.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Incubation period is 3-5 days. Exclude from school only if child is too sick to participate in activities.
Staph Infection Action Plan
Problem:
Many parents are concerned about the recent news accounts concerning methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of “staph” infection that may be difficult to treat.
What are we dealing with?
Staphylococcus aureus
It is a bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nose of 20-30% of healthy people. It often causes skin infections, but can also cause other more serious infections, such as pneumonia or blood stream infections.
MRSA
A strain of s.aureus that is resistant to methicillin, an antibiotic in the same class as penicillin. MRSA is traditionally seen in people who have recently been hospitalized or who have been treated at a health facility, such as a nursing home or dialysis center.
CA-MRSA (community-associated MRSA)
These are infections considered to be community-associated because they occur in people who have not been hospitalized or had a medical procedure, such as surgery, within the past year. These infections have been documented among athletes, prisoners, military, day care workers, injection drug users, and other who live in crowded settings (like dorms) or routinely share contaminated items.
What does it look like?
A skin infections with CA-MRSA can begin as a reddened area on the skin, or resemble a pimple that can develop into a skin abscess or boil causing fever, pus, swelling, or pain. It is also possible for a pre-existing cut, burn, or other irritated area to develop an infection with CA-MRSA if the area is not kept clean and dry.
How is it spread?
CA-MRSA is spread through person-to-person contact or contact with contaminated items such as towels, razors, uniforms, and athletic equipment. Poor hygiene practices help facilitate the spread of the bacteria.
How is it treated?
CA-MRSA can be treated by a health care professional by incising, draining, and locally caring for the wound. Antibiotics may be necessary. These infections can progress to a more serious and difficult-to-treat stage if not treated properly and promptly.
How can I protect myself from Staph infection?
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Shower immediately after participating in exercise. Use a clean towel and dry off completely.
Avoid sharing personal items that come into contact with your bare skin: Towels, wash cloths, razors, bar soap, deodorant, helmets, nap mats etc.
Wear shower shoes in the locker room.
Use a barrier (clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as
weight training benches.
Keep all open skin abrasions or cuts covered with clean dry bandages until healed.
Dry laundry in clothes dryer completely.
Avoid “popping pimples” or blisters and do not lance skin irritations or boils with tweezers
or safety pins.
Tell the nurse, coach, or teacher if you think you have a skin infection.
