Health Information/Procedures

Administering Medications

With seasonal problems including sore throats, flu, colds, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, etc., physicians may prescribe medications occasionally for your child. When medicine is prescribed two, three, or even four times daily, please ask your physician if it can be given before school, after school, supper time and/or bedtime to avoid having to bring it to school.

Connecticut law (CGS 10-212a) and regulations require a written order by an authorized prescriber (an MD, OD, APRN, or PA) and written parent or guardian authorization for the school nurse or other authorized personnel to administer any medication. This includes over the counter medications. Medication must be delivered directly to the school nurse or, in the absence of the school nurse, the school principal, by the parent or responsible adult. Authorization forms are available at the physician's office or at each school. No exceptions can be made to this law.

Medication must be delivered in and dispensed from the original container with a pharmacy label indicating the name and strength of the medication, name of patient, physician, the date of the original prescription, and directions. No more than a 45 day supply can be accepted. Medications that are not in properly labeled containers will not be accepted.

Reporting Illness

Certain communicable diseases require exclusion and/or notification to the school nurse:

1. Streptococcal Infection (scarlet fever, impetigo) ‑ Exclusion until 24 hours of appropriate antibiotic therapy given and temperature has subsided.
2. Fifth Disease – Communicable only prior to rash. Does not require exclusion, but school nurse must be notified.
3. Ringworm ‑ Exclusion until control measures are instituted. Must have doctor's note or verbal report before readmittance.
4. Chicken Pox ‑ 2 to 3 week incubation period. Communicable not more than 6 days after appearance of first crop of vesicles. Exclude for at least 5 days after rash begins, per Connecticut Department of Health.
5. Rubella ‑ 14 to 21 days incubation, commonly 18 days. Communicable 7 days before to 5 days after onset of rash. Exclude for 5 days.
6. Measles ‑ 10 to 12 days incubation. Communicable from 4 days before until 5 days after rash appears. Exclude for 5 days.
7. Mumps ‑ 12 to 26 days incubation, commonly 18 days. Communicable 6 days before symptoms to 9 days after. Exclude until no swollen glands.
8. Pink Eye ‑ Exclude until under treatment.
9. Head Lice ‑ Exclude until all head lice, nits, and cases have been removed. Wash with prescribed medication or over the counter lice shampoo followed by numerous combings. Children will be examined upon return to school.

Health Assessments

A physical examination by a qualified practitioner is required prior to attendance for all kindergarten students and for new students at any level per state law (C.G.S. 10-204a, 10-206 and 10-214). Physical examinations must have been conducted within one year of entry. A physical examination is also required at the sixth grade. This examination must be conducted after January 1^st of the fifth grade year and before April vacation of the sixth grade year. The Board of Education will provide assessments free of charge to students whose parents meet the eligibility requirements for free and reduced price meals.

The school health office will conduct vision screening for students in kindergarten through grade six, audiometric screening for students in kindergarten and grades one, two, three, and five, and postural screenings for students in grades five and six.

Immunizations

State law requires that each child be immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenza type B, hepatitis B, and varicella prior to entering school. There are a few specific exemptions allowed by this law. Contact the school nurse with questions.

Fluoride Program

The Ellington Board of Education, in cooperation with the Connecticut State Department of Health, offers a program of dental caries prevention using a weekly sodium fluoride mouth rinse. The weekly use of a 0.2% neutral sodium fluoride mouth rinse has been shown to be an effective caries prevention procedure which is complementary to existing professional dental programs. It can be particularly valuable to children in areas where fluoridated water is not available, and has been shown to reduce the incidence of new dental decay. The program is not intended to take the place of regular dental care and preventive procedures provided in a private dental office.

In the classroom, each student is provided with a paper napkin and cup containing 10 ml of the fluoride solution (5ml for kindergarten students). Under the supervision of the teacher, the solution is swished around in the mouth for one minute, then emptied back into the cup. Beginning in October, this program is available to all children enrolled in kindergarten through grade six. Participation is entirely voluntary and at no cost.