Student Health
We have an obligation to provide a safe school environment for all students, especially to those who are more medically fragile and/or immune compromised. Viruses can spread very quickly through contact with other children and staff; therefore we need to minimize the risk of infectious disease and decrease the spread of germs in order to prevent transmitted illness and absenteeism. Emily Follensbee School follows the recommendations of Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Alberta Government.
Symptoms, Illness & COVID-19
If your child has ONE of the following symptoms, keep your child at home for 24 hours and monitor symptoms. Your child may return to school when they have been symptom-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever, nausea and/or symptom reducing medications):
- Fever
- Vomiting, diarrhea and/or nausea
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Runny nose and/or nasal congestion
- Sore throat and/or painful swallowing
- Headache
- Chills and/or muscle/joint aches
- Feeling unwell and/or fatigue
- Unexplained loss of appetite
If you child has TWO (or more) of the following symptoms, keep your child at home until symptoms resolve. Your child may return to school when they have been symptom-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever, nausea and/or symptom reducing medications):
- Fever
- Vomiting, diarrhea and/or nausea
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Runny nose and/or nasal congestion
- Sore throat and/or painful swallowing
- Headache
- Chills and/or muscle/joint aches
- Feeling unwell and/or fatigue
- Unexplained loss of appetite
Health Resources
Nursing Support Team
The LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurse) and HCAs (Health Care Aide) assist in the promotion of individual student health, the prevention of disease or injury, and the achievement or maintenance of optimum health and well being for identified students. Our on-site LPNs work in collaboration with the Registered Nurse, Community Care Coordinator, Home Care, families, educational staff and other professionals from the community to ensure continuity of care.
Pediatric Home Care Clients
If you are a Pediatric Home Care Client, you may call the Home Care Office directly to discuss any of the following information about your child:
- Nutritional changes or concerns
- Hospital admissions
- Changes in health status
- Medication changes
- Illness
Pediatric Home Care Office t | 403-943-1790 f | 403-943-1932
Doctor's Orders
All medications administered by the LPNs at school require a doctor's order and/or prescription. Please ask your doctor to fax a copy of the original doctor’s order directly to Pediatric Home Care. If a medication and/or prescription is not processed through Pediatric Home Care, the LPNs will not be able to administer the medication to your child. This includes:
- Antibiotics, medicated creams or sprays
- Tylenol, Advil or general pain relievers
Pediatric Home Care Office t | 403-943-1790 f | 403-943-1932
Important Note | Students who are not supported by Pediatric Home Care require a signed Student Health Plan form on file prior to the administration of medication. If the student is not a Pediatric Home Care client, a staff member, other than the LPN, will administer your child’s medication.
Medications
All medications must come to school in the original packaging, along with doctor’s orders and/or prescription. Please send a supply of medication to be kept at school. You will be notified when we require additional medication. Only short-term medications (eg. antibiotics, topical creams) will be sent to and from school daily.
At the beginning of each month, please send 10cc or 20 cc syringes for each medication. All PRN medication (eg. Ativan, epi-pens, ventolin) must have current doctor’s orders, and the medication should not be past the expiry date. Emergency medication should be kept in your child’s backpack at all times.
Important Note | Students who are not supported by Pediatric Home Care Clients require a signed Student Health Plan form on file prior to the administration of any medication. In these cases, a school staff member will administer the medication once we have the authority to do so.
Emergency Kit | G-tube Supplies
Children with gastrostomy tubes require an emergency kit that is kept in their backpacks. It should include:
- A proper G-tube replacement (eg. mic tube) provided by clinic
- Lubrication (muco)
- A small syringe
Students on daily G-tube feeds are required to supply the following on the first day of each month:
- 2 feeding bags
- Adaptor/connector tubing
- 1-2 30ml or 60ml syringe(s) for flushing
- Spare syringe for venting (if necessary)
Students that require medication via G-tube also need a 60ml syringe for flushes before and after the medication is administered. Please send an additional syringe large enough to draw a single dose of the medication your child receives.
Questions?
If you are a Pediatric Home Care Client and you have questions regarding your child’s health and/or medication, please contact Pediatric Home Care at 403-943-1790.
Important Reminder | Submit your Doctor’s Orders for Medication and/or Prescription via fax to:
Pediatric Home Care Office f | 403-943-1932
Forms You Need
Due to the specialized needs of our student community, Parents/Guardians are required to completed the following forms to include important health and medical information to ensure the health and safety of our students. These forms must be completed on an annual basis.
Student Health Plan | This form is to be:
- completed if a physical or medical condition may affect the student's attendance at school;
- completed if medication is to be taken at school; and
- reviewed and updated annually or sooner if there is a change in the student's health concern or school registration.
Student Health Emergency Response Protocol | This form is to be:
- completed if a physical or medical condition and/or allergy may affect the student's health at school;
- completed if medication is to be taken at school as a result of an emergency situation (eg. allergic reaction, seizure, etc.);
- completed if communication to emergency response services (eg. 911) is needed; and
- reviewed and updated annual or sooner if there is a change in the student's health concern or school registration.
