General Health Measures
In all matters of health, CBE takes direction from Alberta Education and Alberta Health Services. Find out how you can reduce the spread and lessen the impact of illness in school communities.
Routine Immunizations
The CBE supports the AHS school-based immunization program.
It is important that you call the school if your child is absent or arriving late. Please report all absences to the Attendance Line at 403-777-8590 ext. 1.
Medical Release Forms
School personnel are not allowed to dispense any medication to a student without a completed medication release form in place. This includes common pain medication such as Tylenol. If your child requires medication at school, please access this form from the office. If your child has ongoing medical concerns it is very important that the school be made aware so that we are prepared to assist your child in the case of an emergency. (Forms are also available on the CBE website.)
Medical Alerts & Collecting Information at the School Level
Parents of children with severe allergies or medical conditions that could impact them at school are required to advise the principal and classroom teacher at the beginning of the school year. We must have emergency contact information, a recent photograph, and other pertinent information so that the school can have an appropriate plan on file as well as emergency procedures in place. Medical forms must be completed on an annual basis. Students who require an EpiPen on site should consider wearing one in a fanny pack each day, as well as having one stored in the infirmary. Students are often well away from the building during recess, lunch breaks and outdoor physical education periods. In the interest of immediate intervention, if ever required, a supervisor who is trained to administer the EpiPen could access the EpiPen immediately from the fanny pack.
Allergies
Nellie McClung School is an allergy aware school. This means that Nellie McClung staff work with students and staff to create a safe and healthy environment for all students. It is important to inform the school office and your child’s teacher regarding any allergies or medical information that might impact them at school. Parents with children with allergies and/or a medical condition complete the Student Health Emergency Response Protocol Form each year and submit it to the school office. Medical information is shared with all staff. Staff will make reasonable accommodations for students with allergies. Although the school cannot ban certain kinds of foods, we strongly recommend students to do not send food with peanuts to school. Alberta Health has provided a guide for peanut free snacks. If you have specific concerns, please contact your child’s teacher for classroom questions and the main office for lunchroom and school-wide concerns. Please do not send food to school for your child to share with others due to food allergies and sensitivities. If teachers anticipate having food in the classroom for special events, parents will be notified.
Medication & Dispensing
Parents need to be aware that school personnel are not authorized to dispense medication without the written consent of the parent on a Student Health Emergency Response Protocol Form. It is necessary to complete this form if your child has any medication, such as an inhaler which can be self-administered. This form is available from the office and must be completed each school year. If children are required to receive simple, straight forward medication (including Ventolin inhalers) during the school day, the classroom teacher and office must be informed. Medication should be kept in the school office instead of backpacks unless necessary (for example an epi-pen).
Injuries at School
Should your child be injured at school the following procedures will be followed:
- A school staff member will take action to ensure the safety of the student and administer minor first aid
- The parent or guardian will be telephoned and appraised of the situation and asked, if necessary, to come to school, and advise us of their wishes regarding their child’s injury
- If we are unable to contact the parent/guardian or emergency contact person, an administrator will decide if emergency treatment is necessary
- If emergency treatment appears to be necessary, the child will be transported to a Hospital, at the parents’ / guardians’ expense. Parents/guardians will be contacted as soon as possible.
Lice
There may be times during the school year when we have cases of head lice.
If your child has head lice, please contact the school and let us know. If your child has been exposed to lice at school we will notify you.
As a precaution, we ask all parents to check their child’s head frequently for a few weeks after any exposure. You can find more information on lice from myhealth.alberta.ca.
Additional questions or concerns can be answered by Alberta HealthLink at 811.