Children’s Health

Children should come to school healthy.  If you notice a change in your child’s behavior such as feeling tired or out-of-sorts, consider this a sign of the onset of illness, which is the most contagious time.  Keep your child home for some extra rest if he or she is overly tired or irritable.  In addition, if you do not wish for your child to play outside on a particular day or week due to illness or injury then we advise for your child to remain home.  Please wait 24 hours after a fever of 101 degrees or any other contagious symptoms, such as but not limited to a rash, diarrhea or a sore throat has subsided before returning your child to school.  Should your child develop a fever, or show signs of illness during school hours, you will be contacted to make arrangements to pick up your child.  Until the child is released, we will follow your specific instructions.  However, we cannot give your child Tylenol to reduce fever unless you have previously provided us with the Tylenol and a signed Medication Authorization form.  If your child has had a throat culture, please keep him or her at home until the results have been reported to you, even if your doctor says it is all right to send your child to school.  Children who are on prescribed antibiotics, must be on the medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Children with communicable diseases as defined by the posted Communicable Disease Chart may not come to school or be readmitted until the recommendations of the Georgia Department of Human Resources as outlined on the chart have been met. In the event of an outbreak of any communicable disease, such as influenza, the school will close until it is safe for the children and the staff to return. Parents will be notified should such an event occur.

Medications

Before any medication is dispensed to your child, you must provide written authorization, which includes the child’s name, date, name of prescription, prescription number (if any), dosage, dates and time medication is to be given.  You must give a specific time medication is to be dispensed—“as needed” will not suffice.  “Authorization for Medication” forms are available at the front desk.  Authorization is limited to two weeks unless otherwise prescribed by a physician.  Parents will be contacted immediately if there are any noticeable adverse reactions to prescribed medication(s).  If the reaction is life threatening, 911 will be called immediately.

Allergies and Allergic Reactions

If your child(ren) have any allergies, particularly food allergies, please include this information on your child(ren)'s enrollment application/re-enrollment forms.  Please fill out the Authorization for Medication form and leave the appropriate medication (antihistimine, antibiotic, etc) with the school marked with your child's name.

Epi-Pens

If your child has a doctor prescribed Epi-Pen for severe allergic reactions, we can store the Epi-Pen on-site in a secure location.  In order to administer the Epi-Pen, a completed Physician Authroization For Epi-Pen must be on file in the office.  A copy of the form is availble form the Office Manager.

Immunizations

We are required by Georgia State law to retain on file a current immunization certificate (Form 3231) on each child.  This form can be obtained from your child’s doctor or health center and is required within the first 15 days of the child’s attendance at school.  If your child has a religious exemption, please provide the appropriate document.  Documents for exemption must be notarized.

Please note that children enrolled through the Georgia Pre-K program are required to to have on file current Vision, Hearing, and Dental screening results.

Injuries

It is inevitable children will get scrapes, bumps and bruises on the school premises.  When this occurs, an incident report will be filled out by the teacher or assistant teacher present, information regarding how and where the incident took place will be given on the report, followed by any first-aid administered and any other important information.  The signatures of the Head of School, teacher or assistant teacher present and the parent or guardian will be required on this form.  However, there are times when an incident happens too quickly and the supervising staff may have missed a particular occurrence.  Occasionally your child will not report the injury to the teacher nor will they cry.  If this takes place, please kindly give us a call, so that we may look further into the situation.  We will make our best effort to promptly communicate the details of the incident at hand.

Upon enrollment, parents will receive a Medical Release Form for the Admissions Office of Eastside Medical Hospital.  The form is for use in the event the school is unable to reach the parent immediately.  This form authorizes medical care for the child.  In the occurrence of an injury that requires prompt medical care, 911 will be called and the parents/gaurdians will be contacted.  In the event a child becomes missing from the premises, the parents/gaurdians and 911 will be called immediately.

CPR and First Aid

At least one teachers and/or assistant in each classroom holds a current CPR and First Aid training certificate. Teachers and assistants are required to maintain a current CPR/First Aid certification.  The entire staff also receives annual fire safety training.