Health Examination Policy | Medication Policy | Expanded Health Services
Vision Screening Policy | Hearing Screening Policy

STUDENT HEALTH EXAMINATION POLICY

All incoming ninth grade students and all new upper-class students must show proof of having had a physical examination by their health care provider within the previous twelve months upon entering high school.

New students who transfer to Erskine Academy after the first day of school will be given two weeks from their first day of attendance at the school to obtain this examination. Sport physicals will not be accepted in substitute.

Prospective ninth graders or new students will be given a School Health Examination form at the time of registration. This form is to be completed by the parents and the health care provider and returned to the school nurse. back to top

MEDICATION POLICY

It is the policy of Erskine Academy that only essential medications will be administered to students in school. Whenever possible, the schedule of medication administration should allow a student to receive all prescribed doses at home.

1. If it is necessary for a student to take medication during school hours, the school nurse or designee(s) will administer the medicine in accordance with the following:
1. A permission form, Authorization To Administer Medication Which Must Be Taken During School Hours" is completed and signed by the parent or legal guardian. Documentation of a health care provider's prescription will be required if the medication is a prescription drug. A health care provider's signature may be required if the medication is an over the counter drug. The one exception to this is Acetaminophen (Tylenol). After receiving parental permission and a standing order from the school's physician or designee, the school nurse or front office secretaries may administer Acetaminophen to students. A permission slip will be sent home at the beginning of each school year.
2. The medication must be sent to the nurse's office in an original, unbreakable container that is properly labeled with the name of the medication, date, dosage and the name of the student who is to receive it.

II. The person administering the medication will comply with the following:

•  Participate in appropriate training or instruction.
•  Refer to this medication policy as necessary.
•  Verify that a permission form (see section I. Above) is on file.
•  Follow the prescription instructions.
•  Record the administration of each medication.
•  Store medication in a secured cabinet.
•  Consult with the school nurse as appropriate.
•  Allow inhalers, Epipens and insulin to be kept by students as directed by a health care provider. All inhalers should be logged in at the nurse's office. back to top

EXPANDED HEALTH SERVICES

Erskine Academy wants to help students stay healthy and decrease absences due to illness by:

*teaching students about their health
*detecting and treating health problems early
*making it easier for student to get health care

A Family Nurse Practitioner provides services along with the school's registered nurse, Diane Dow. They will provide:

*Preventive health care and health education
*Screenings for diabetes and high blood pressure
*Tests for common illnesses like strep throat
*Diagnosis of common diseases or conditions
*Limited immunization booster shots
*First-aid
*Referrals for other problems and tests

The nurse practitioner will not prescribe or dispense birth control of any kind at the school. Students will be encouraged to discuss each visit with their parents. If a student has serious health problems, the school will tell the parents immediately.

Parental permission is required in order for a student to utilize the expanded health services. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please call Diane Dow, R.N. at 445-2962. back to top

VISION SCREENING POLICY

Each student shall be screened periodically to determine whether he/she has sight defects. All vision screening will be done by the school nurse.

•  Each student will be screened in grade 9 with optional 11 th grade screening.
•  The criteria for failure is corrected vision of 20/40 or less, greater than one line difference between the two eyes, or any unequal vision if using a Titmus.
•  Any student failing the first screening shall be rescreened within two months.
•  All new students and transfer students in the 9 th and 11 th grades who have not been screened will be screened upon entry or within 2 weeks. Any student referred by a parent, teacher or him/herself because of a concern about vision will be screened upon request. back to top

HEARING SCREENING POLICY

Each student will be screened to determine whether he/she has hearing defects. All hearing screening will be done by the school nurse.

•  Hearing screening will be performed on each freshman student.
•  Pure tone hearing screening will be done at the frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz and either 6000 or 8000 Hz.
•  The criterion for failure is an obtainable threshold greater than 25 db in one or both ears, at one or more frequencies.
•  Any student failing the first hearing screening shall be rescreened within two months.

EXEMPT STUDENTS

A student whose parents objects in writing to screening on religious grounds shall not be screened unless a sight defect is reasonably apparent. back to top