Health Office Update for Families
It is a great day to be a healthy Green Devil!
Staying Healthy During Virus Season
Winter is here, and with it comes the season for norovirus and respiratory viruses in Wisconsin. These germs can spread quickly, especially in schools, but there are ways to help protect your family and keep everyone healthy.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is sometimes called the "stomach bug." It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. It spreads easily through contact with someone who is sick, touching surfaces with the virus on them, or eating contaminated food.
What are Respiratory Viruses?
Respiratory viruses can cause coughs, sore throats, runny noses, and fevers. The flu and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) are examples of respiratory viruses that are more common during winter.
How to Prevent Getting Sick:
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is one of the best ways to stay healthy.
Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue. Throw tissues away immediately.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Germs can enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when sick to prevent spreading germs to others.
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often, like doorknobs, light switches, and phones.
Drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy foods to keep your immune system strong.
What to Do if Someone Gets Sick:
Rest is important! Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep.
Hydrate. Give them lots of water, soup, or electrolyte drinks to prevent dehydration.
Watch for signs of dehydration. If your child has dry lips, is very tired, or isn't urinating often, they may need more fluids.
Contact your doctor if symptoms are severe, such as trouble breathing, chest pain, or if vomiting and diarrhea don't stop.
Keep them home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone and symptoms improve.
We appreciate your help in keeping our school community healthy. By working together, we can reduce the spread of viruses and keep students learning and thriving. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the health office.
Head Lice Prevention and Care
Head lice can be a common issue in schools, and we want to make sure everyone is informed about how to prevent and manage it. While head lice are not dangerous and do not spread disease, they can be uncomfortable and spread quickly through close contact.
What are Head Lice? Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. They lay eggs, called nits, which stick to hair near the scalp. Lice spread mainly through head-to-head contact but can also spread by sharing hats, brushes, or pillows.
How to Prevent Head Lice:
Avoid head-to-head contact. Remind children to avoid touching heads during play.
Don't share personal items. Teach kids not to share combs, brushes, hats, or scarves.
Check regularly. Check your child’s hair for lice and nits regularly, especially after sleepovers or group activities.
Tie up long hair. Keeping long hair tied back can reduce the chance of lice spreading.
What to Do if Your Child Has Head Lice:
Treat at home. Use over-the-counter or prescription treatments as directed. Carefully follow instructions to remove lice and nits.
Comb hair thoroughly. Use a fine-tooth lice comb to remove nits and lice after treatment.
Wash and clean. Wash clothing, bedding, and personal items in hot water and dry on high heat. Items that cannot be washed can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.
Notify the school. Let the health office know so we can monitor for further cases and provide helpful information to families.
School Policy on Head Lice:
Students are not sent home when live lice are discovered at school.
However, students must be treated at home before returning to class.
Regular follow-up at home is important to ensure all lice and nits are gone.
We understand that dealing with head lice can be frustrating, and we appreciate your cooperation in managing it. If you have any questions or need advice on treatment, please contact the health office.
Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile at AFASD
Services are available at every school. Sign up here!
Seal-A-Smile is a school-based dental program provided through the state free of charge for our students. Licensed dental professionals complete a thorough dental examination to identify areas of concern while also providing education about proper brushing, flossing, and healthy eating. Sealants will be placed on those students that have not received them in the past through school or at a previous dental visit
Stock medication for students
We have a new service available to students, stock medication in the health office! Consents must be signed by parents for us to be able to administer stock medications to students, if needed. A printable version of the consent can be found here. Printed consent forms are available in the front office of your child's school.
Medication Available to students:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Ibuprofen (Advil)
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
Antibiotic ointment
Hydrocortisone cream
Menthol cough/throat drops
Oral analgesic gel
Salt water gargle
Lubricating eye drops/saline drops
Does your child have a medical condition?
Please email AFASDnurse@afasd.net to discuss any medical needs your child has. Please remember, paperwork MUST be completed for any medication in school, including epi pens and inhalers
Medication in School
For all health conditions requiring medication, please ensure it is provided to the school at the beginning of the year.
Must be filled out yearly for all students
Any health changes during the school year must be reported to the school nurse at AFASDnurse@afasd.net
Please do not indicate your child has a health condition unless they are receiving medical care for it.
Prescription medication administration in school
The above form must be filled out and signed by both the prescribing physician and the parent/guardian before any medication will be given to the student. A new form must be completed every school year.
For safety reasons, please ensure that all medications are brought in by an adult.
Prescription bottle labeling must match the dosing and instructions on the medication order from your child’s physician. You can request an extra prescription bottle from your child’s pharmacy if needed.
You must obtain the paperwork from your child’s physician and the medication from your child’s pharmacy. School staff are unable to do this for you.
It is very strongly recommended that morning medication(s) are taken at home, prior to your child leaving for school.
Over the counter (non-prescription) medication
You may bring in non-prescription medication for your child with the above completed form.
Medication must be brought to school in a new, sealed bottle by a parent/guardian, or other designated adult, unless otherwise noted on the form.
Your child may carry and self-administer their non-prescription medication. A new form must be completed for each medication they are allowed to self-administer. Any misuse of the medication will result in your child no longer being allowed to self-administer. Misuse includes sharing of medication for any reason, taking more medication than directed on packaging, or carrying medication without a form completed and on file.
Common health conditions
Your child must have an allergy action form completed if they have a food or environmental allergy that requires medication to treat their serious or life threatening allergic reaction.
Please communicate all food and environmental allergies requiring treatment with your child’s teacher, office staff, and the school nurse.
Please inform your child of their allergy and things to avoid, if possible.
Medication prescribed in the allergy action plan must be provided to the school by parent/guardian. If the necessary treatment isn’t available at school, you will be contacted, or emergency care will be arranged.
AFASD does not provide the medication listed on the allergy action form. This includes both antihistamines (such as Benadryl and Zyrtec) and epinephrine.
Do not list a suspected or possible allergy unless you are planning to provide treatment for that allergy and/or it is confirmed by a physician.
Students with asthma must have an asthma action form completed and signed by both the student’s parent/guardian and their physician.
The asthma action plan allows your child to use their inhaler in school and self-carry their inhaler, if agreed upon by you and their physician.
Please do not indicate your child has asthma unless they are receiving care from a physician for it and have treatment prescribed.
All treatment indicated on your child’s asthma action plan must be brought to school. If the necessary treatment isn’t available at school, you will be contacted, or emergency care will be arranged.
Diabetes is not a self-diagnosed condition and requires close communication between the parent/guardian and school nurse/care provider in school.
The above form is a sample diabetic management plan at school. Your child’s physician will have a form they prefer.
A student with diabetes may not be in school without their necessary diabetic supplies. They will be sent home if they do not have their insulin, monitor, glucagon, or physician orders. The school does not provide diabetic supplies and will not monitor a student without their necessary equipment/treatment.
Please consult with your family physician if you suspect your child has diabetes, the school will not complete blood glucose monitoring without a physician order.
This DPI form must be completed for any students requiring food substitutions for sensitivities and/ physical restrictions. Examples: celiac disease, lactose intolerance, or inability to chew certain foods due to a physical disability.
Substitutions for food preferences or parent-reported conditions will not be provided without physician documentation.
Seizures can be a life-threatening medical emergency requiring care in school. Please do not indicate your child has a seizure disorder unless it is a diagnosed condition and your child is receiving care.
A Seizure Action Plan must be completed by your child’s physician and signed by a parent/guardian, a new form must be completed every year.
A Parent Questionnaire should be completed when your child is diagnosed with a seizure disorder and updated any time there is a change in their condition.
Rescue medication (if prescribed) must be available at school. A student with a known seizure disorder and prescribed medication will not be allowed in school without their rescue medication and a current seizure action plan signed by both the physician and parent/guardian are on file with the school.
A Release of Information Form should be completed for all AFASD students receiving physical or mental health care. Completing this form to allow communication between school staff and your child’s healthcare providers
Any questions can be directed to AFASDnurse@afasd.net, your child’s teacher(s), and/or office staff.
Please be aware of your child's vaccination status by asking their doctor or checking on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry
Routine childhood vaccinations or a waiver are required for your child to attend school.
Food Allergies are in your child's classroom
Please talk to your child(ren) about the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment for their classmates with food allergies.
HOW TO CONTACT SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
School Health Services are here to partner with you to make sure your child receives what they need to succeed in school.
Tricia McLain, RN
AFASD Nurse
mclain_t@afasd.net
Mandy Schwabe
AFASD Health Office Assistant
All health office staff receives emails sent to AFASDnurse@afasd.net