Health / Medication Policies

Illness and Injury

The law does not allow the Health Associate’s office to make a diagnosis, prescribe treatment, or administer medication without proper authorization. First aid and medical care provided by the health aide/school nurse are primarily for illnesses or injuries that occur during the school day.

The school is NOT the place for a sick child. Please do not send your child to school if he/she has diarrhea, vomiting, fever, undiagnosed rash, deep cough, or communicable disease (e.g. strep throat, chicken pox, pink eye, etc.) You will be notified if your child becomes ill and needs to leave school, sustains more than a minor injury or has an emergency. Any child who has a temperature at school of 100.3 or above must be sent home in accordance with Arizona State Law. It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to make arrangements to pick up an ill or injured child as promptly as possible.

You will also be required to keep all home/work and emergency phone numbers current. Please notify the school office immediately of any changes at any time during the school year.

Accidents

All accident victims are to be seen by the health aide immediately, if available. The health aide shall determine if further medical attention is warranted and make the recommendation to call parents. If the health aide is not available, the responsibility for decisions concerning further medical attention shall be: Principal, Preschool director, school secretary, pastor, associate pastor, and classroom teacher. The student’s parents or guardian as specified on the Student Emergency Form shall be notified as soon as possible. Should it happen that the child’s parent is on campus, then his/her decision supersedes all other decisions.

Immunizations

Arizona State Law requires that each child must have immunization information on file at school. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to supply the school with the month, day and year of each immunization. You will have 15 days from the date of enrollment to submit the immunization records and comply with any immunizations that are due. If you have any questions regarding the immunization status of your child, please feel free to contact the school office to inquire. St. John Vianney Catholic School will not accept religious exemptions to vaccinations in any instance.

Prescription Drugs

When it is necessary for a student to receive a prescription drug during the school day, the following procedure has been established to ensure the protection of the child and the school to be in compliance with existing rules and regulations.

  • A physician must prescribe the medication.
  • The parent or guardian must provide written permission to administer the medicine to the child.
  • Appropriate forms are available in the school office.
  • The medication must come to the office in the original prescription container as dispensed by the pharmacist. There must be written directions from the physician or the pharmacist stating the name of the patient, the name of the medicine, the dosage and the time it is to be given.
  • Medications can only be dispensed to the student for whom the medication was labeled. Under no circumstances will medication be dispensed from a baggie or Ziploc bag.
  • Inhalers must come to the school in the boxes with the prescription label intact. Inhalers not properly labeled will not be dispensed. NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • Students will not be allowed to carry inhalers with them without the proper authorization from the child’s doctor.

Over-the-Counter Medications

When it is necessary for a student to receive a medicine that does not require a prescription, the following procedure has been established to ensure the protection for the child and the school:

  • The parent or guardian must provide written permission for the over-the-counter medication to be dispensed. Forms are available in the office.
  • Any over-the-counter medicine sent by the parent or guardian to be administered to a student must come to the office in the original manufacturer’s package with all directions, dosages, content and proportions clearly marked.
  • The school nurse or other staff member may be designated to administer medications when necessary.
  • All medications (prescriptions and over-the-counter) will be documented on a daily medication log when administered.
  • Children may not, under any circumstances, keep medications (inhalers and cough drops included) in their possession during school hours.

A health record card is maintained on each student from the day of entrance until the day of withdrawal. Annual screening is done for vision, hearing, blood pressure, height and weight. Parents are required to fill out a health questionnaire at the beginning of each year and present the necessary immunization documentation.

P.E. Excuses

A written parental excuse is required if your child cannot participate in a Physical Education class, prior to the day of class. A written doctor’s excuse is required if your child cannot participate in P.E. for a one week or longer. A doctor’s release is required for a child to participate in P.E. following surgery, serious injury or illness in order to return to normal activity.

Birthdays

On each student’s birthday, s/he will be afforded free dress (as long as they still adhere to the SJV dress code.) Students with summer birthdays will dress down on their corresponding day in May. All birthday treats must be healthy and adhere to the Diocesan Wellness Policy.

Wellness Policy

The Diocese of Phoenix has adopted an official policy regarding wellness. This policy helps us to support healthy eating habits for ourselves and our students. The policy does not allow for home baked goodies (cupcakes, cookies, etc.) to be brought into the classroom for class parties or student birthdays. In trying to support healthy eating habits, we suggest that alternative items such as fruit and vegetables, yogurt, holiday pencils or birthday souvenirs be brought for celebration instead of unhealthy food items with high sugar content. This policy also includes physical and nutritional activities. There will be only three exceptions where minimal nutritional value foods will be permitted. The three exceptions will be for classroom parties at Christmas, Valentine’s Day and at the end of the school year.

Student Accident Insurance

Any student enrolled in a Diocesan school, will be provided accident insurance while on school grounds when school is in session; while taking part in a school sponsored and supervised activity; or while attending school sponsored and supervised religious services or instruction. If a student suffers a covered “accidental injury,” he/she will be eligible for benefits by completing the proper claim documentation which will be available in the Nurse’s office.