Maintaining a healthy learning environment is a top priority at The John Carroll School. Understanding the school’s policies regarding student sickness is crucial for parents and students alike to ensure a smooth and healthy academic year. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of John Carroll School’s approach to student health, focusing on sickness-related protocols, health services, and supportive measures in place to safeguard the well-being of its diverse student body. Rooted in its Catholic values and commitment to the holistic development of each student, John Carroll School has established clear guidelines and resources to manage student sickness effectively, promoting both individual health and the collective wellness of the school community.
Navigating Student Illness: Attendance and Communication
At John Carroll School, consistent attendance is highly valued for academic success. However, the school also recognizes that student sickness is a reality and has implemented a clear attendance policy that addresses illness-related absences. While John Carroll does not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences, understanding the procedures for reporting absences due to sickness is essential.
Reporting Absences Due to Illness
Parents are expected to inform the school of any student absences, including those due to illness, preferably through the Veracross Parent Portal. This notification should ideally be made by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the absence. Advance notification for planned absences, including potential medical appointments, is also encouraged through the same portal.
To streamline communication and ensure parental awareness, the school sends out email notifications to parents by 10:00 a.m. regarding any student absences or late arrivals once the first class attendance is recorded. Parents are encouraged to regularly review their student’s attendance record on Veracross to stay informed and address any discrepancies by contacting the school attendance office.
Attendance Thresholds and Support
John Carroll School’s attendance policy allows for a certain number of absences per semester before interventions are initiated. Students are permitted up to ten absences each semester. Exceeding this limit triggers a structured support system designed to address attendance concerns and provide assistance.
- After 10 Absences: A mandatory meeting is scheduled involving the parent, student, and Dean of Students. Additionally, a detention is assigned for each subsequent absence beyond the tenth.
- After 15 Absences: An attendance contract is put in place, outlining specific expectations and support measures to improve attendance.
- After 20 Absences: Continued high absenteeism may unfortunately lead to loss of academic credit for a class and, in some cases, dismissal from the school.
It’s important to note that documented COVID-19 quarantine periods are not counted towards the total absence count, providing flexibility and understanding during health-related situations. Furthermore, the school encourages open communication and offers the opportunity to discuss unique circumstances surrounding excessive absences with the Dean of Student Services to find supportive solutions.
Health Services: On-Campus Care and Support
The John Carroll School prioritizes the health and well-being of its students by providing on-site Health Services staffed by a qualified school nurse during school hours. The Nurse’s Office serves as the first point of contact for students who feel unwell or experience an injury during the school day.
Accessing the Nurse’s Office
Students needing to visit the Nurse’s Office during class time must obtain a pass from their teacher. Between classes, students should get a pass from their next class teacher. This system ensures minimal disruption to class time while allowing students to seek necessary health attention promptly.
Upon arrival at the Nurse’s Office, the school nurse will evaluate the student’s condition. If deemed necessary, and with parental contact and consent, the nurse will arrange for the student to be dismissed early and go home for further care and recovery. The school emphasizes that students should not independently contact parents to request to go home due to illness; this communication should be initiated through the Nurse’s Office after professional assessment.
Guidelines for Returning to School After Sickness
To prevent the spread of illness within the school community, John Carroll School has clear guidelines for students returning after being sick. Students sent home due to fever (100°F or higher) or vomiting must remain at home until they have been fever-free and have not vomited for a full 24-hour period without the aid of fever-reducing or anti-emetic medications. Reporting any communicable diseases, serious illnesses, hospitalizations, or accidents to the school nurse is also essential for monitoring and managing potential health concerns within the school. For specific illnesses like strep throat or pink eye, students are advised to complete a full 24 hours of prescribed medication treatment before returning to school.
Medication Administration Policy
John Carroll School has established a comprehensive medication policy to ensure student safety and proper administration of both prescription and over-the-counter medications during school hours.
Over-the-Counter Medications
For discretionary over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, cough drops, antacids, and allergy medications, a signed parental consent form must be on file in the Nurse’s Office. This form authorizes the school nurse to administer these medications as needed, following established protocols.
Prescription Medications
For prescription medications and any over-the-counter medications not listed above, a Physician’s Authorization Form is required in addition to parental consent. Ideally, parents are encouraged to schedule medication dosages outside of school hours whenever possible. However, if prescription medication is necessary during the school day, the following procedure must be followed:
- Parent Delivery: A parent or guardian must bring the medication to the Nurse’s Office in its original container, properly labeled with the student’s name, medication name, dosage, and administration instructions.
- Physician Authorization: The Physician’s Authorization Form, completed and signed by the prescribing physician, must accompany the medication.
- First Dose at Home: The school recommends administering the first dose of any new medication at home to observe for any potential allergic reactions or side effects before the student takes it at school.
- Medication Storage: All medications, with the exception of emergency medications (inhalers, EpiPens with specific permission), are to be kept securely in the Nurse’s Office and administered by the school nurse. Students are not permitted to carry medications themselves.
- End-of-Year Retrieval: Parents are responsible for picking up any remaining medication from the Nurse’s Office by the last day of the school year. Unclaimed medications will be safely disposed of according to school policy.
Emergency Medications: Self-Carry Policy
Recognizing the critical need for immediate access to certain medications in emergency situations, John Carroll School permits students to self-carry emergency medications, specifically inhalers and EpiPens, under specific conditions:
- Prior Written Approval: Written authorization from the student’s medical provider is required, outlining the necessity for self-carrying the medication.
- Duplicate Medication in Nurse’s Office: A duplicate supply of the emergency medication must be provided to the Nurse’s Office to be kept on file as a backup.
- Student Contract and Demonstration: Students who wish to self-carry emergency medication must sign a contract agreeing to responsible use and storage and demonstrate to the school nurse their proper understanding and ability to use the medication.
This policy ensures that students with conditions like asthma or severe allergies have immediate access to their life-saving medications while also maintaining a safety net with backup medication stored in the Nurse’s Office. Additionally, John Carroll School maintains stock epinephrine in the health suite for emergency anaphylaxis situations, further enhancing the school’s preparedness for health emergencies.
Creating a Healthy and Supportive Environment
John Carroll School is committed to fostering a school environment where student health is valued and proactively supported. By establishing clear sickness policies, providing accessible health services, and emphasizing open communication between parents, students, and the school nurse, John Carroll aims to minimize the impact of student sickness on both individual learning and the overall school community. This proactive and caring approach aligns with the school’s mission to nurture the holistic well-being of every student within a Christ-centered environment.
