Hello STM Community!
We have also recently been informed of a few flu cases within our school population. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can range from mild to severe and is particularly serious in those with weakened immune systems. The most effective ways to prevent flu are getting a flu vaccine yearly, washing hands regularly, and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Flu symptoms usually appear suddenly. Those with flu often experience some or all these
symptoms: fever* or feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. Together, we can prevent the spread of flu in our community.
To safeguard the health of our school community, we request that you keep your children at home if they exhibit any signs of illness. Specifically, students should not attend school if they have taken fever-reducing medication on the morning of school. According to STM policy, students must be fever-free without medication for at least [24 hours] before returning. Additionally, children who have experienced vomiting must wait at least [24 hours] after the last episode before coming back to school. Your cooperation is vital for the well-being of all students
and staff.
Lastly, as a gentle reminder, students CAN NOT self-carry or self-administer medications on their own. This includes, but is not limited to, cough drops, epi-pen, pain relievers, and inhalers. All medications needed during the school day must be dropped off to the clinic nurse by an adult. Students should not carry medicines into school, including the Nursing clinic.
Medication Authorization Forms - If your child needs to take an over-the-counter medication occasionally, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, please upload the medication authorization form linked below to Magnus. This can be done by entering the Magnus website, clicking Conditional Questions, and checking yes to “Does your child take medications during the school day?” This will prompt Magnus to add a Medication Authorization Form section at the bottom of their health tracker. Once you open this section, you will be prompted to upload the medication authorization form (link provided below) when completed. For occasional over-the-counter medications, this form can be filled out and signed by a parent/guardian and does not require that a physician sign it. Please note that any medication (including over-the-counter medicines) that needs to be given for more than four consecutive days will need to have this form filled out and signed by a physician. This completed form in Magnus will enable clinic nurses to provide over-the-counter medications for situations such as mouth pain resulting from dental or orthodontic appointments; cough drops for a persistent cough, and so on. However, this should not be used to treat ailments requiring a student to stay home, such as a fever.
Dear STM Community, we have recently noticed a rise in Strep Throat cases within our school population. In the coming days, we urge you to be vigilant and consider testing your child for strep if they show any signs of illness. Some children may first show symptoms like a stomach ache. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your healthcare provider. If left untreated, strep can lead to scarlet fever or rheumatic fever. Following all directions on the antibiotics your provider prescribes and completing the course is
crucial.
crucial.
We have also recently been informed of a few flu cases within our school population. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can range from mild to severe and is particularly serious in those with weakened immune systems. The most effective ways to prevent flu are getting a flu vaccine yearly, washing hands regularly, and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Flu symptoms usually appear suddenly. Those with flu often experience some or all these
symptoms: fever* or feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. Together, we can prevent the spread of flu in our community.
To safeguard the health of our school community, we request that you keep your children at home if they exhibit any signs of illness. Specifically, students should not attend school if they have taken fever-reducing medication on the morning of school. According to STM policy, students must be fever-free without medication for at least [24 hours] before returning. Additionally, children who have experienced vomiting must wait at least [24 hours] after the last episode before coming back to school. Your cooperation is vital for the well-being of all students
and staff.
Lastly, as a gentle reminder, students CAN NOT self-carry or self-administer medications on their own. This includes, but is not limited to, cough drops, epi-pen, pain relievers, and inhalers. All medications needed during the school day must be dropped off to the clinic nurse by an adult. Students should not carry medicines into school, including the Nursing clinic.
Medication Authorization Forms - If your child needs to take an over-the-counter medication occasionally, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, please upload the medication authorization form linked below to Magnus. This can be done by entering the Magnus website, clicking Conditional Questions, and checking yes to “Does your child take medications during the school day?” This will prompt Magnus to add a Medication Authorization Form section at the bottom of their health tracker. Once you open this section, you will be prompted to upload the medication authorization form (link provided below) when completed. For occasional over-the-counter medications, this form can be filled out and signed by a parent/guardian and does not require that a physician sign it. Please note that any medication (including over-the-counter medicines) that needs to be given for more than four consecutive days will need to have this form filled out and signed by a physician. This completed form in Magnus will enable clinic nurses to provide over-the-counter medications for situations such as mouth pain resulting from dental or orthodontic appointments; cough drops for a persistent cough, and so on. However, this should not be used to treat ailments requiring a student to stay home, such as a fever.
Medication Authorization:
As always, please get in touch with the clinic if you have any questions. We wish everyone a wonderful and healthy week!
Warmly,
Tracie and Tasha
STM Nursing Clinic
Warmly,
Tracie and Tasha
STM Nursing Clinic