Health and Safety Basics

Emergency Procedures

Our school has comprehensive safety plans to address emergencies that might occur at school. These plans include evacuation procedures for fire, shelter-in-place procedures for severe weather and earthquakes, and lockdown procedures for intruders and civil disturbances. Safety procedures are practiced by staff members and students throughout the school year to ensure that everyone is prepared in case of an emergency. To review the plans, please contact the school principal.

Severe Weather Information

JCPS may use an alternate schedule in the event of snow, ice, or other weather-related events. Parents should have a backup plan for childcare—especially for young children—in case severe weather strikes during the school day. In the event of weather-related closing, delays, and/or early dismissals, JCPS will notify local TV and radio stations and will update the JCPS website to reflect the changes. Please first check these resources for updated information concerning school closings or delays. Telephone lines need to remain open for emergencies.

• School is canceled—All scheduled activities are also canceled.

• School opens on a delayed schedule—All bus pick-up times are delayed accordingly.

• School dismisses early—All after-school activities, classes, and programs are canceled.

Health Conditions

Students who have serious health conditions must have a Primary Care Provider (PCP) Authorization Form on file in the school office. Qualifying conditions may include asthma/allergy, diabetes, gastronomy tube/swallowing/feeding disorders, respiratory disorders, and seizures. The PCP Form is available in the school office and on the JCPS website. It should be completed by the student’s healthcare provider and parent/guardian. PCP Forms are revised annually, so the current school year’s form must be used to be valid. That means PCP Forms must be updated each year. Services related to a health condition cannot be administered without the appropriate and current form on file. For more information, contact JCPS Health Services at 485-3387.

Medications at School

Students who require medication during school hours must have a signed authorization form on file in the office. The Authorization to Give Prescription Medication and Authorization to Give Over-the-Counter Medication Forms are available in the school office. Please note that the authorization form for over-the-counter medications must be signed by a physician. For prescription medications, the correct dosage and specific time the medication is to be administered must be clearly printed on the prescription label and written on the authorization form. Authorization forms must be updated each school year and any time a change occurs.

All medications must be brought to school in the original, labeled container. Parents should make every effort to bring medication to the school office. If you are unable to personally bring the medication to school, it must be sent in a sealed envelope with the student’s name written on the outside. Please call the school office to alert staff that your child is bringing medication to school. All medications must be kept in the school office under the supervision of trained personnel. It is important to note that students are not allowed to transport medications from school to home. In the event medication is no longer needed at school, someone from the office will notify the parent to pick up the medication. At the end of the school year, it is the parent’s responsibility to pick up medication. Any medication not picked up by the last working day for office staff will be disposed of according to JCPS policy.

Illness or Injury at School

School staff members are trained to address the health needs of students. If a student is injured or becomes ill during the school day, he or she will be accompanied to the office for assessment and—if necessary—first aid administration. Parents are contacted any time a child becomes ill or is injured. Depending on the severity, it may be necessary for the child to be picked up at school. Please make sure your contact information is updated so you can easily be reached in case of emergency.

According to JCPS Health Services School Health Guidelines, students with certain symptoms and confirmed illnesses will be excluded from school. See below for specific information.

Fever—A student may not attend school with a fever higher than 100.5 degrees. In addition, a student must be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Other Physical Symptoms

There are additional physical symptoms and illnesses that warrant exclusion from school. See the chart below for specific information.