PARENTS : Student Health

Brilliant Star places extreme importance on the health of children, and it is the responsibility of all members of the school community – parents and teachers alike – to keep the children healthy. A child should not be sent to school if they show signs of illness or fever. Out of consideration for the other students a child should not be sent to school if they have a heavy or persistent cough, eye infection, or severe nasal excretions. Students with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, or undiagnosed skin rash should remain at home also. The student will be sent home if any of the symptoms appear while he or she is at school.

Students with infectious diseases, such as chicken pox or strep throat, must stay out of school until the contagious stage has passed. For the sake of the other children's health, it is vital that you let the office know your child's doctor's diagnosis as soon as possible. Whenever your child is ill and won't be coming to school, please call the office between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. to let us know that she will be absent so we don't worry.

If Your Child Gets Sick at School

If your child ever feels ill, we will take her to the office. If she seems to be fairly sick, or if after a brief stay she feels too ill to return to class, we will contact you to arrange for her to be picked up right away. We understand how difficult it can be for working parents to break free during the day, and yet all of our children get ill from time to time. You will want to make arrangements with a friend or relative in advance.

Emergency Care

Most of our faculty and staff are trained in first aid and CPR. In the event of any situation that requires immediate medical attention, we will want your child to see a doctor right away. Please remember to keep your emergency information form up-to-date and inform the office immediately if there is any change in your address or phone number during the academic year. We must be able to reach you at any time during the school day. If your child needs immediate medical attention, and you cannot be reached, your enrollment agreement authorizes us to seek medical care in your name. We will take your child to the emergency room at CHC. Naturally, we will continue our efforts to contact you.

When, in the opinion of your child's physician, it is necessary that medication be administered during school hours, a representative of the school will give it to your child in accordance with the following procedures:

• Any medication brought to school must be left with the staff in the school office, where it will be locked up.
  
  

• Our staff members are prohibited from providing or administering any medication, including aspirin, to any students except as authorized by you as parent or guardian and the child's physician, in accordance with the following procedures:
  
  

  1. Prescription Medications: All medications sent from home must be accompanied by the "Authorization to Administer Medication" and "Physician's Statement" forms before the first day medication is administered at the school. Any medication sent without the appropriate completed authorization form will not be administered and will be sent home.
     
     

  2. If a medication is to be administered on an on-going basis, the Authorization to Administer Medication should indicate the duration of treatment.
     
     

  3. In cases involving long-term medication for chronic conditions, a new authorization form must be filed with the school each year in August. Any medication changes during the school year must be accompanied by a new medication form.
     
     

  4. We can only administer oral medications.
     
     

  5. We can accept only the appropriate dose for one day at a time.
     
     Medication will not be kept at school overnight, nor will containers of more than one day's dosage be accepted. The original bottle containing the medication must be clearly labeled with the student's name, medication contained, and the time(s) and amounts(s) of dosage. This policy applies to prescription and over-the-counter medications. A new authorization form must be completed for each episode of illness and each new medication. When having the prescription filled, you may request two bottles. As parent (guardian), you are responsible for administering the first day's dosage of any new medication at home.
     
     

  6. As parent (guardian), you are responsible for notifying the school in person or by telephone on the first morning a new medication is being brought in with the completed authorization form and physician's statement.
     
     

  7. Whenever possible, medication schedules should be arranged to cause minimal interruption in the student's school day.
     
     

  8. A copy of the form authorizing us to dispense medication may be obtained from the school office.
     
     

  9. We will strictly adhere to this policy.
     
     
     Over-the-Counter Medication: Absolutely no medications, including aspirin, Tylenol, cough remedies, or other over-the-counter medications will be given or allowed to be taken at school unless authorization is submitted in accordance with the above policy.
     
     

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