Last reviewed: January 2024
FIS employs nurses who are available throughout the school day to offer care in case of accident, and in case of illness developing during the school day. The nurse provides health screening, referrals and ongoing health education to students.
Accidents
An accident during the school day must be reported to the nurse as soon as possible. For accidents occurring at school-sponsored events outside school hours the authorized school representative will be notified as soon as possible.
The nature of most accidents demands that a nurse or authorized school representative use judgment in providing a student with the necessary care as quickly and as efficiently as possible. In the event of an accident or serious illness, the student will be sent to a doctor or to a hospital as soon as possible. If necessary, an ambulance will be called; in this case the Head of School or designee will be notified. The ambulance personnel will determine which hospital is most appropriate. Where possible, the nurse or a responsible adult will accompany the student.
The parents of the student or the person named as contact person in case of emergency will be notified. The conditions of the governmental student accident insurance policy limit the choice of doctor and hospital. The nurse has details of locally authorized doctors and hospitals, and the instruction entitled Information in the Case of a School Accident will be provided to the parent.
Allergies
Frankfurt International School, while sensitive to supporting the unique medical needs of its students, cannot provide an allergen-free campus. Parents are responsible for working closely with the school's nursing offices to address a child's allergy or other medical needs.
It is mandatory that the school is informed by the parents in writing of any allergic conditions, both upon school entry or first appearance of the allergy and, if necessary, on a continuous basis. Written information must be addressed to the school nurse. Parents must also fully inform their children about the facts and possible dangers connected with an allergy so that the student is able to estimate the personal inconvenience or danger to which he/she may be exposed.
The school will, where deemed necessary, inform the teachers and classmates of the student affected, pointing out actions to be avoided or performed to preserve the student's health.
The school will ensure its caterers issue information about the ingredients used in the menu.
Health records
Parents can access the school health manual anytime using the Parent Portal on the FIS website.
Parents are requested to provide details of all immunizations when applying for admission of a student. The school recommends that students have DTP (diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough), MMR (measles/mumps/rubella), polio immunizations, and BCG (tuberculosis vaccination) in accordance with local health guidance.
Health records, submitted by parents online in the Student Information System, must be carefully completed before a student enters school. Emergency information must be current. Parents are required to update student medical records in the Student Information System regarding any change in their child's health situation. If the necessary authorization is completed, the nurses may dispense over-the-counter medication. Student-specific medication will be administered by the nurse providing she has received the Medication Administration Form signed by the parent. All medication is to be stored in the nurses' office. Students are not permitted to carry any medications with them at school with the exception of inhalers.
Illness
A student with a contagious illness potentially exposes other students, faculty and staff to the illness; therefore, it is the parents’ responsibility to take a sick child home or to keep a sick child at home. Any communicable disease should be reported to a nurse. If a communicable disease that falls under local health reporting requirements is reported at school, then the nurse will provide written notice to the local authority and to the parents as appropriate.
Insurance
The governmental student accidentinsurance policy covers only accidents which happen on the way to and from school, at school, and during school-sponsored and school-supervised activities. Any other accidents are covered by the family health accidentinsurance policy.
If a child has to be treated by a doctor or hospitalized as a result of a school accident, the German state insurance (Unfallkasse) will only cover charges at the statutory rates. If parents choose to go to a private doctor, they will be responsible for any associated additional costs.
Trips
Parents of students going on overnight fieldtrips are required to ensure the proper information is provided online in the Student Information System. On school trips students may carry medication when arranged through the nurse beforehand, or a nurse designate may dispense medication.