Health and Safety

St. Margaret of Scotland Parish School follows school health guidelines recommended and required by the St. Louis Archdiocese and the Missouri State Department of Health.   (School Board Policy October 2007)

Health and Medical Concerns

Health Records

St. Margaret of Scotland Parish School is served by the St. Louis Health Department and they maintain all health records for the students.  We abide by the guidelines established for the city of St. Louis.

Physical Examination

Students must regularly have a comprehensive physical examination.  Physical exams are required for students entering kindergarten, grade 4 and grade 7 and all students new to the school.

Immunization

Immunization records must be up to date for all students entering the school.

  • Immunizations: Consistent with MO Statute 167.181 students are required to be   immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertusis, measles, rubella, mumps, polio, and hepatitis. These records are kept accordingly.         (Archdiocesan Policy 4501)

Health Screening

Annual Screening for height, weight, sight and hearing is performed by the school health nurses of Cardinal Glennon Hospital. Parents are informed prior to screening and are notified when more detailed testing is recommended.

Emergency Information

It is the responsibility of each parent to insure that the emergency information held on Fast Direct is always accurate and current. 

  • In the case of an injury or illness parents are contacted according to the emergency information data base held on Fast Direct and updated by the parents. 
  • Should there be an emergency and the parent(s) are not responding to the numbers listed on Fast Direct, the next person on the emergency information list will be called.
  • Should a child need immediate medical care and the persons listed in the Fast Direct emergency information are not responding, EMS will be called.

Injury/Sickness

When an injury occurs at school, either in the building or on the playground, the child is brought to the office and an assessment is made concerning the child’s condition and the action needed. 

  • All cuts and scrapes, bumps and bruises are attended to with bandages and/or ice.   
  • The school is not permitted to administer any medication in the case of an injury.
  • Parents are notified in the case of injuries to the face and head.
  • If the situation is serious the parent is notified immediately and a decision made concerning the next step to be taken.
    • In the case of serious accidents, an incident report is made, a copy is kept in the school office and one sent to the Catholic Education Office. 

Generally when a child is not feeling well, he/she is sent to the office by the teacher and a general assessment is conducted by the office personnel. 

  • Depending on the complaint of the child might return to the classroom or remain in the office to be monitored for a period of time.
  • In the case of greater pain the parent/guardian is contacted and the next step is jointly decided.
  • In the case of vomiting the parent is contacted in order to come for the sick child.

Communicable Disease

St. Margaret of Scotland follows the policies and procedures established by the Missouri Department of Health.                                                            (Archdiocesan Policy 4704)

Prevention measures will always be taken when dealing with any communicable disease. It is important that any communicable disease be reported to the principal or the office manager, who will see that the necessary prevention steps are taken.

General Guidelines for Sending a Child Home for Illness

  • Fever (>100)
  • Rash with Fever
  • Difficulty Breathing (Asthma not relieved by medication)
  • Vomiting in school or stomach cramping and history of vomiting before school/previous evening.
  • Sore throat with difficulty swallowing, especially if the child requires more care than staff can provide.
  • Reddened eyes with drainage (clear or yellow).
  • Diarrhea and lethargy and abdominal cramping.
  • Mouth sores with inability to control saliva.
  • Chicken Pox and other communicable diseases.

Any child that requires emergency actions, the parent will be contacted to determine if EMS is necessary.  In the case that the parent cannot be contacted, EMS will be called.

Medication Policy in Accord with Archdiocesan Guidelines

Ideally all medications should be given at home.  However, some students are able to attend school because of the effectiveness of medication in the treatment of chronic illnesses or disabilities.  If a student requires prescribed medication during the school day, the following must be in place:  

  • The direct order/consent of a licensed physician, licensed physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner, signed and properly filed with the school. The current prescription label on the container may serve as a physician’s order and physician’s orders may be faxed or mailed to the school.
  • Written consent of the parent/guardian for school personnel to administer the medication. 
  • The medication is to be held in the original container.
  • Proper training of personnel on medication administration.  (Administrative assistant and principal are both trained in administering medication.)

All medications sent to the school are to be secured in a locked cabinet under the supervision of the administration.  Students may not carry medication on their person, with the exception of metered-dose inhalers when properly registered with the school.  A trained staff member must be assigned to administer medication.  Proper documentation must be kept on every dose given.

A student enrolled in a Catholic school who has significant or potentially life-threatening medical condition may require special consideration.  Schools should take steps to obtain the information necessary to understand the condition, its manifestations in the school setting, and any specific adjustments or plans for an emergency response which may be necessary in order to provide the student with a healthy and safe environment.

Archdiocese of St. Louis, Administrative Manual for Catholic Education, 2006

Emergency Preparedness

St. Margaret of Scotland Parish School will have a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan in place, which is communicated to faculty, staff, students, and parents/guardians.  Plans for emergency situations are developed by the school administration in accordance with Civil and Archdiocesan guidelines.                                       

(School Board Policy 4/17/01)

 

  • Emergency procedures are posted in all areas that are used by the students. Regular drills are held in order to provide readiness for emergencies.
  • In the case of emergencies that require evacuation from the buildings, students gather by grade with their classroom teachers on the school parking lot adjacent to the teachers’ parking area.
  • In the case of extreme emergencies that require evacuation from the premises, students will walk in grade levels with their teachers to a safe destination: St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Hall, Missouri School for the Blind, Tower Grove Christian School.  Parents will be notified by phone where children have been taken to seek safety.

General Safety of the Students per Archdiocesan Guidelines

Media

Members of the media should be on school property only as invited guests, and should not be allowed to interview students on matters unrelated to the purpose for which they were  invited.

Distribution of Materials to Students

A school should not distribute information to parents or students in any form about programs, products, or services which are available from sources other than the school, parish, or other Catholic agency, or with whom the school has a formal contract.  This includes programs which are offered by individual parents or parishioners, but are not formally sanctioned by the parish or school.

Mailing Lists

Names, addresses, and e-mails addresses of students and their parents/guardians should not be released to any unauthorized persons or agencies, especially to salespersons or commercial enterprises.  Elementary schools should not provide lists of names, addresses, and email addresses of students and/or their parents/guardians to other schools, including Catholic high schools.

Schools should not make available on the school web site any information that enables a student or students to be identified individually by name and picture.  This includes information about students that appears in school newsletters which are posted on the school’s web site.

Questioning of Students

Except at the direction of a caseworker from the Division of Family Services, no minor student should be questioned by law enforcement authorities or officials of other public agencies unless a school administrator is present. Every effort should be made to contact the parents and provide them the opportunity to be present.

                             Archdiocese of St. Louis Administrative Manual for Catholic Education, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

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