Medications - I am happy to assist students who need medications as school. It is preferable that an adult bring the medication to school, for reasons of safety. However, all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, will require written consent and dosage information by a parent or guardian. Please note that Texas law does not permit public schools to dispense nonprescription drugs such as Tylenol, Advil, cough syrup, etc. (these need to be supplied from home). Any non-prescription medication that is to be given daily for more than 15 consecutive days must have a physician's signed order.
Medications must be:
- In an original, preferably small, properly labeled container, (no baggies or envelopes, please.
- Up to date (check expiration date before bringing to school).
- Age-appropriate in dosage.
No aspirin products (such as Excedrin--Please look at ingredients listed), unless accompanied by a doctor's consent, for any students 18 and under. Aspirin usage by children and adolescents has been associated with the often-fatal Reyes Syndrome.
Prescription medications must be in a properly labeled bottle from the pharmacy. Please ask your pharmacist for a "school bottle".
PLEASE NOTE THE ATTACHED MEDICATION PERMISSION FORM. Click here to download form.
Certain screenings are mandated by the Texas Department of Health and will be conducted on designated age groups. If a problem is identified, you will be notified and referred for further medical evaluation, if needed.
Vision and Hearing Screening. This is mandated for all preschool, kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th graders and new-to-district students. Additionally, students who show signs of vision or hearing difficulty (any grade) may be screened to rule out a problem. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like your child screened at any time during the school year.
Spinal Screening. Students in the 5th and 8th grades will be evaluated for abnormal spinal curves. Early detection is important so that treatment can be provided before any permanent physical deformity or limitation of activity occurs. Parents will be notified of the screening dates by letter and newspaper announcement.
Acanthosis Nigricans Screening. "Acanthosis Nigricans" is a skin condition that signals high insulin levels in the body. It is believed that persons with this marker may run the risk of developing diabetes and other conditions in the future. Taking immediate action may help defray or prevent the health conditions associated with high insulin levels. Students in the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th grades will be screened for this condition.
Height and Weight. This is done in conjunction with the other screens to identify the student who is not growing and developing normally.
Head Lice (Pediculosis)
Head lice are passed from person to person by direct contact or on shared objects (combs, towels, barrettes, headphones, etc.) The most common symptom of infestation is intense itching on the back of the head or neck. Head lice cannot survive without a human host, or on family pets. Head lice do not carry any disease, nor does their presence mean that your child is unclean.
To prevent further spread in the school of this condition, head lice must be treated at once. If your child is sent home due to this, please treat child according to the suggested guidelines. An adult must accompany your child to the school nurse's office for an examination prior to his/her return to class. If this is not possible, then it is your responsibility to call the nurse's office after your child's arrival to see if he/she is able to remain in school.
Head lice are small, wingless grayish-white insects, 1/16 to 1/8 inches in length. Each female head louse lays eggs, also called "nits." Each egg attaches to a hair shaft with a waterproof cement-like substance. The egg hatches in a week.
These parasites can be controlled by the careful use of a pediculicidal shampoo and relentless combing-out of the nits (eggs). Read the directions carefully on the shampoo you use. They are specific as to whether or not the hair should be wet or dry when the shampoo is put on.
Treatment
1. Check every member of the family. Lice are hard to spot, so look for tiny, white eggs (nits) on hair shafts, near the scalp, especially at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Any family member with lice or nits must be treated.
2. Use an effective head lice treatment. Several commercial products are available without prescription.
3. Remove all nits. Gently comb the child?s hair with the special nit removal comb. The combs are provided with most lice treatment products.
4. Wash clothes, bed linens, and towels. Use hot water, then dry on the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes. Vacuuming is the safest way to remove lice or fallen hairs with attached nits from upholstered furniture, rugs and stuffed animals and car seats.
5. Soak combs, brushes, etc., in hot water. The hotter the better, but the temperature should be at least 130 degrees. Items should soak for at least 10 minutes.
6. Even under the best of conditions, a few lice or nits may be missed. Use the lice comb to screen the infested person every day and regularly thereafter. Seeing a nit or two the next day does not necessarily mean reinfestation. However, be sure to remove them immediately. Being consistent and diligent about screening and manual removal will go a long way toward controlling the problem.
7. If additional nits or lice remain after 7 days, another thorough shampooing and manual search is necessary. Remember that each day is a new day for the risk of a new infestation. Routine screening is vital for anything that may have been missed and also for identifying new infestation as early as possible.
Share a toy,
Share a slide,
Share the feelings deep inside,
But never share a hat or comb,
Or lice could make your head their home!
Asthma Inhalers "Rescue" inhalers for asthma (such as Albuterol/Ventolin) may be carried by older, responsible students who have both parent and physician consent in writing. It must be renewed annually.
We make every effort to safeguard your child's health at school. In the event of a serious accident or emergency, you will be contacted immediately. When a parent or guardian cannot be reached, the student will be transported by ambulance or school vehicle, to an appropriate medical facility, accompanied by a nurse, administrator or designated school personnel. To ensure optimum care, it is important to update us continually with new phone numbers, changes in your child's health, new medication or anything else that impacts his or her well-being at school. Click here to download update form.
Control Of Communicable Disease And Illness:
Your child's good health is important to me! Hygiene and health are taught and emphasized throughout the year. Various illnesses tend to "go around." Please help decrease this problem by not sending your child to school if any of the following signs or symptoms are present in the previous 24 hours.
- Elevated temperature of 100.4 F or greater.
- Acute cold, sore throat or persistent cough
- Vomiting, nausea, or severe abdominal pain
- Repeated diarrhea
- Pus-like discharge from the nose or eyes
- Red of inflamed eyes/lids
- Suspected and untreated impetigo, scabies or lice
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are uncertain if your child is well enough to attend school. It is wise to notify the office when your child is on the "borderline" of being ill. Special Note: If your child complains of headache or stomachache or frequently does not feel well, please notify your physician or health care provider.
Immunizations (Vaccinations):
Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country. Vaccines have reduced, and in some cases, eliminated many diseases that routinely killed or harmed many infants, children, and adults. However, the viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable diseases and death still exist and can be passed on to people who are not protected by vaccines. Vaccine-preventable diseases have a costly impact, resulting in doctor's visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. Sick children can also cause parents to lose time from work. One of the requirements for enrollment in Texas Public Schools is an up-to-date record of immunizations. According to the Texas Department of Health, to be current, the student must have the following:
HSR 7 - Immunization Requirements 2009-2010 School Year - Reference Guide (effective date 8/1/09)
2023-2024 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K-12
3 year olds and 4 year olds (PRE K)
4 doses of DTP, DTaP, DT
3 doses of Polio
1 dose of MMR on/after 1st birthday
1 dose of HIB on/after 15 months OR 3 doses with the 3rd dose given on/after 1st birthday, and at least 2 months since dose #2
1 dose of *PCV7 on/or after 24 months of age OR 4 doses of PCV7 with one given after 1st birthday
3 doses of Hepatitis B
1 dose of Varicella on/after 1st birthday (if the child has NOT had chickenpox)
2 doses of Hepatitis A on/after 1st birthday (must allow 18 months between doses)
Kindergarten
5 doses of DTP, DTaP, DT with one on/after 4th birthday OR 4 doses if one dose is on/after the 4th birthday
4 doses of ?Polio with one on/after 4th birthday OR 3 doses if one dose is on/after 4th birthday
2 doses of MMR on/after 1st birthday
3 doses of Hepatitis B
2 doses of Varicella on/after 1st birthday (if the child has NOT had chickenpox)
2 doses of Hepatitis A on/after 1st birthday (must allow 18 months between doses)
First Grade - Sixth Grade
5 doses of ^DTP, DTaP, DT, Td, Tdap with one on/after 4th birthday OR 4 doses if one dose is on/after the 4th birthday
4 doses of ^?Polio with one on/after 4th birthday OR 3 doses if one dose is on/after 4th birthday
2 doses of Measles, 1 dose Mumps and 1 dose Rubella on/after 1st birthday
3 doses of ¤Hepatitis B
1 dose of Varicella on/after 1st birthday (if the child has NOT had chickenpox)
Ages 7 years and older, 3 doses of DTP containing vaccine.
Seventh Grade
3 doses of ^DTP, DTaP, DT, Td, Tdap with one on/after 4th birthday, one dose of Tdap is required within the last 5 years. Td is acceptable in lieu of Tdap if a contraindication to pertussis exists.
4 doses of ^?Polio with one on/after 4th birthday OR 3 doses if one dose is on/after 4th birthday
2 doses of Measles, 1 dose Mumps and 1 dose Rubella on/after 1st birthday
3 doses of ¤Hepatitis B
2 doses of #Varicella on/after 1st birthday (if the child has NOT had chickenpox)
1 dose of Meningococcal
Eighth Grade - Twelfth Grade
3 doses of ^DTP, DTaP, DT, Td, Tdap with one on/after 4th birthday, one dose of Tdap is required within the last 10 years. Td is acceptable in lieu of Tdap if a contraindication to pertussis exists.
4 doses of ^?Polio? with one on/after 4th birthday OR 3 doses if one dose is on/after 4th birthday
2 doses of Measles, 1 dose Mumps and 1 dose Rubella on/after the 1st birthday
3 doses of ¤Hepatitis B
1 dose of #Varicella on/after 1st birthday (if the child has NOT had chickenpox)
This chart summarizes the vaccine requirements in Title 25 Health Services, 97.61-97.72 of the Texas Administrative Code. This chart is not intended as a substitute for consulting the Texas Administrative code, which has other provisions and details.
All vaccine doses administered less than or equal to four days before the minimum interval of age shall be counted as valid.
* Other schedules may apply
^ Doses of DTaP/Polio administered month of or prior to 4th birthday are acceptable for students in 6th ? 12th grade (those enrolled in school prior to 8/1/04)
? Does not need a dose of Polio after the 4th birthday IF 4 doses of clearly documented combination IPV and OPV were given before 4 years of age.
¤2 doses of adult formulation Hepatitis B administered to a child 11-15 years old is acceptable if manufacturer and mL are clearly documented.
# Two doses of Varicella are required if child is > 13 years old when 1st dose is given.
? Polio not required for students 18 years or older
DSHS/Region 7, revised 3/18/2009
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. Parasitic and fungal meningitis are very rare. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and may involve complicated medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and life support management.