Health

Overview

Parents are required to complete an Emergency Medical Authorization Form each year to let the school know who to contact and/or what to do in the case of a student illness or emergency, and this should be completed on Final Forms. In the event a child becomes ill at school, it is the parent's responsibility to get the child home or to a doctor. No contagious children will be placed on the school bus. Therefore, parents should choose an emergency contact who is readily available and lives within a short distance from school. Parents should also inform the alternate person that they might be called upon to pick a child up from school if the student is ill. The school's main office must be notified of any changes in emergency contact information.

Medical information will be shared with pertinent staff members. If you have any questions, please call the school nurse. For more information, please talk to your school nurse or review the Student Health Handbook, available at each school and on our website: student health handbook.

Allergies

Animal/Pets in The Classroom:

Due to the large number of children and staff members at risk for illness or allergic reaction to animals, animals/pets with fur or feathers are not allowed in classrooms. The exception to this is:

• Zoo presentations. (It is felt that professionals can manage this situation, and that children with allergies can be maintained at a safe distance. Teachers will assess this on an individual basis.)
• Authorized service animals.
• Reptiles, amphibians, and fish may be used for educational purposes; however, students are to be discouraged from handling these. If contact is made, hand washing should be required.

Balloons:

Rubber balloons that decorate parties, carnivals, proms, etc. can pose a serious health threat to latex-sensitive individuals. People with chronic health conditions (spina bifida, hydrocephalus treated with shunts, etc.) who have been frequently treated with latex products are especially predisposed to this severe and possibly life threatening allergy. Latex allergy is also reported in healthy individuals, especially those with common conditions such as asthma and eczema. Routes of exposure include contact with skin, wounds, mucous membranes, and inhalation of latex laden powder particles from items such as rubber gloves or balloons. For these reasons, latex balloons are not permitted in all school buildings. Mylar balloons are suggested as safe substitutes.

Food items from outside the building:

Many students suffer from severe food allergies and eating, smelling, or touching certain allergens (i.e. peanuts, nuts, etc.) can be fatal to people who are sensitive. Because of issues such as these, any food items purchased for classroom parties etc. must be sealed by the manufacturer, have the manufacturers ingredient list, and approved by the teacher when planning for the event. Should you wish to bring homemade items for a celebration or activity, you must include the ingredient list and contact the teacher prior to the event.

Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs:

For any student with a food allergy, special dietary need or religious preference regarding food you will need to fill out the Food Allergy Notification Form and submit it to the school nurse. Once filled out once, this form does not need to be filled out yearly, only as the form needs to be updated due to changes. It can be found on the school website under the Child Nutrition Services tab or in final forms. Once the nurse gets a copy of the Food Allergy Notification form, it will be sent to the Child Nutrition and Wellness Director and placed on the student’s meal account. This notification will pop up everytime the student’s account is pulled up at mealtime.

If a student has a severe life threatening allergy or disability and is requesting a substitution the form has to be signed by a medical authority. Substitution requests need to be clearly stated on the form and do not pertain to food intolerances or non life threatening allergies. An example for a student severely allergic to milk would be “substitute juice or water for fluid milk”.

Please contact the Child Nutrition and Wellness director if you have further questions. 513-686-1796.

Dispensing Medication at School

Sycamore Community Schools has a medication policy that is in compliance with the Ohio Revised Code. Medication should not be given at school unless it is absolutely necessary for the health and well-being of the student. If medication must be given at school, a Physician/Dentist Medication Orders form must be on file at school, signed by a parent/guardian and a physician, before prescribed medication or over-the-counter medication may be administered. Such orders are also needed for students to carry inhalers or Epi-Pens (epinephrine auto-injectors). The medication administration form is available in Final Forms. For more information, please talk to your school nurse or review the Student Health Guidelines, available at each school and online at www.sycamoreschools.org.

Medication should not be given at school unless it is absolutely necessary for the health and well-being of the student.

A Physician/Dentist Medication Orders Form must be on file at school, signed by a parent/guardian and a physician, before prescribed medication or over-the-counter medication may be administered. It is also needed for students to carry inhalers or Epi-Pens (epinephrine auto injectors). This form is available on the district website, www.sycamoreschools.org.

The following must be included with the order form:

1. Name and address of the student.
2. Name of medication and dosage to be given.
3. Reason for administering the medication.
4. Times at which medication should be given.
5. Dates the administration of medication is to begin and end.
6. Adverse reactions that should be reported to the physician.
7. Special instructions (i.e. sterile conditions, storage, etc.).
8. Acknowledgement that the prescriber has provided the student with training in the proper use of the Epi-Pen.

Note: Any changes in a medication order require a revised statement signed by the physician.

For more information, please talk to your school nurse or review the Student Health Guidelines, available at each school and online at www.sycamoreschools.org.

Dispensing Elevator Use

Students must present a doctor’s note in order to use the elevator. The school reserves the right to deny a student access to the elevator if the student is not following the rules for using the elevator or if the student’s safety is in jeopardy.

Drug and Alcohol Procedures

The Board recognizes its share of the responsibility for the health, welfare and safety of the students who attend the District’s schools. The Board is concerned about the problems of alcohol and drug abuse and recognizes that illegal or inappropriate use of alcohol, narcotic drugs, depressants or other controlled substances is wrong and harmful and constitutes a hazard to the positive development of all students. The Board does not permit any student to possess, transmit, conceal, offer for sale, consume, show evidence of having consumed or used any alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, unprescribed drugs, look-alike drugs or any mind-altering substance while on school grounds or facilities; at school-sponsored events; in other situations under the authority of the District or in school-owned or school-approved vehicles. Included in this prohibition are any substances represented as a controlled substance, nonalcoholic beers, steroids, tobacco and tobacco products and drug paraphernalia.

The Board wishes to emphasize the following requirements:

A student is required to obey existing laws on school grounds and while involved in school activities. School authorities have the same responsibility as any other citizen to report violations of the law. The final disposition of any problem, however, is determined by the building principal with due consideration of the welfare of the student and of any other relevant factors involved.

Discipline is imposed independent of court action. Students are subject to immediate suspension or expulsion proceedings for possession or use of illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages.

Parents and students are given a copy of the standards of conduct and the statement of disciplinary sanctions and are notified that compliance with the standards of conduct is mandatory.

If conditions warrant, the administration refers the student for prosecution and offers full cooperation in a criminal investigation.

Bake Sales

Bake Sales and other fundraising activities involving food and beverage items may not be held during the school lunch period. Any fundraising activities that involve selling food or beverages can ONLY sell smart snack compliant items if during the school day. School day refers to midnight the night before to 30 minutes after school releases. If you need more information on smart snack compliant items, contact the Child Nutrition and Wellness Director.

Cafeteria Information

Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages are available to purchase for all students each school day. Students may also bring their lunch to school, glass containers are discouraged.

Breakfast is offered to students 15 minutes before the first warning bell rings daily. Students can report to either the cafeteria or concession stand outside the auditorium for a grab-n-go breakfast.

At some time during the 5th period, students will be excused for lunch. Dismissal for lunch and the time for resuming class work are indicated by the classroom teacher. The duration of the lunch period is thirty minutes. Students may bring their lunch or purchase the school lunch. Lunches brought from home may not contain soda or energy drinks.

Thanks to our point-of-sale system, students in Sycamore Community Schools can purchase school meals or a la carte items by simply entering their student identification number into a Personal Identification Number pad, which immediately and confidentially alerts the cafeteria cashier of the child's food allergies, eligibility for federally-funded free- or reduced-price meals, and the student’s account balance. The cafeteria staff can also look up a student’s identification number if the ID number is forgotten.

The point-of-sale system also makes district cafeterias more efficient as sales transactions are streamlined and Child Nutrition Supervisors or the Child Nutrition Office can provide parents with a report of meal transactions. Parents can also add funds to their child’s meal account online using Mastercard or Visa through Parent Portal, thus eliminating any concerns associated with students handling paper money and eliminating the possibility of losing a check. For help in creating a Parent Portal account, contact the Technology Department at 513-686-1790.

Meal Charge Procedures

For meal information, please refer to our website: Child Nutrition Services

For more information, please see board policy EF/EFB.

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