Student Health

General Health Information

Student Illness or Accidents

Parents are encouraged to keep children home when they are ill.  Please see our Illness Protocols

Sometimes children become ill, or get hurt, at school.  Some members of staff have first aid training to help in emergencies.  Parents will be notified of illness or accidents as soon as possible.  When an ambulance is called and a parent is unable to come to the school quickly, a staff member will accompany the student in the ambulance to the hospital and remain with the student until the parent arrives.  The school has insurance that covers the cost of the ambulance.

Please ensure that the teachers and the Counselor are informed about any medical conditions that might affect children at school.

Concussions

Our School Division has a concussion protocol.  Please see the form below for the steps to follow.

Concussion-Monitoring-Medical-Examination

Comprehensive School Health

A healthy school community is one that supports the wellness of all its members (students, teachers, staff, and parents) and strives to be a healthy setting for living, learning, and working.

What is Comprehensive School Health?

Black Gold Schools Safe & Healthy Environments Policy

Lunches & Nutrition

Parents can support our Healthy School Program by ensuring that snacks and lunch box contents are chosen with reference to the Canada Food Guide, and that treats such as candy, sweet cookies and sugary drinks are consumed at home rather than sent to school.  Students are not permitted to consume any Energy drinks at school.

Birthday & Holiday Snacks

Due to COVID protocols, we are not accepting any outside food or birthday treats at this time.

Our school encourages good health and nutrition.  We understand that students like to celebrate their birthday or holidays by sharing special treats with their classmates.  We ask that you make arrangements with the classroom teacher PRIOR to bringing in any treats. The treats should be healthy food choices or non–food treats instead of the typical sweet treats.  Some examples of healthy choices are:  fresh fruit kabobs, cheese & vegetable kabobs, crackers & cheese, and real fruit leather.  Some examples of non-food treats are:  stickers, play-dough, pencils, erasers, coloured chalk, bouncy balls, silly putty, and bubbles.  Thank you for helping us to encourage healthy choices.

Alberta Health Services

Alberta Health Services works together with schools and community agencies to provide a range of coordinated community health and support services for school age children and their families. Our common goal is to build on the health and education potential of students by providing nursing, rehabilitation, speech and language and dental services in schools. If you have any concerns about your child’s health, please phone the Beaumont Public Health Centre at 780-929-4822 to talk to one of the Community Health Services School Health Team.

Reporting Communicable Diseases

The following diseases must be reported to the Public Health Authority under the Public Health Act.  This list includes only notifiable diseases that may be seen in schools.   Please contact the Beaumont Public Health Centre at 780-929-4822.

Chickenpox, Diptheria, Encephalitis, Gastrointestinal Infections (Giardiasis, Salmonelle, Shigella), Hemophilus Influenza Infections, Hepatitus, Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Meningitis, Polio, Reye’s Syndrome, Rubella (German Measles), Tuberculosis,  Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Please report cases of scabies, head lice, ringworm, and influenza (flu), and Fifth Disease to your Public Health Centre as well.

In the interest of the health and well-being of all our students, please be sure to notify the school if your child has contacted one of the communicable illnesses listed above.

Head Lice Information

• Anyone who has hair can get head lice—they’re not caused by being dirty. Head lice don’t spread illness or disease.
• They’re spread mainly by touching heads with someone who has head lice. They can sometimes be spread by sharing items such as hats, hairbrushes, and combs that were used by someone who has head lice.
• If 1 person in the family has lice, then someone else likely does too. It is important to check everyone in the family.
• It’s a good idea for parents to check their younger school-aged children every week for head lice. See detection combing.
• Head lice Information Sheet

Allergy Aware vs. Nut Free

Classrooms

In “Allergy Aware” classrooms:

• The child, family, medical service provider(s), and school work together to develop a reasonable safety plan
• Allergy kit(s) can be on hand; adults know how to use them
• Other children can be taught about respecting allergies and how to help a student in an emergency
• A poster will be posted outside the classroom indicating that there are students with allergies in the classroom.

“Nut Free” classrooms cannot be guaranteed because schools:

• Cannot ensure that the classroom is completely free of nuts
• Cannot guarantee other parents will not send peanuts/nuts to school

 Peanut Allergy

The most common cause of a severe allergic reaction is peanuts (and other nuts). About 36% of people with food allergies are allergic to peanuts.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. It can cause severe sickness or death! It can happen in seconds, minutes or even hours after someone has been exposed to the “allergen” (allergy source). Urgent medical treatment is required. Call 9-1-1 if you think someone is having an anaphylactic reaction.

Who is Responsible for What?

Administration:

• Ensure an up-to-date medical alert form is on file
• Provide in-service on anaphylaxis to all school personnel

Teacher(s):

• Inform parents if there are any severe allergies in the classroom
• Follow school policy and plan for the allergic child
• Discuss allergies in age-appropriate terms with students
• Create a positive attitude and safe environment without isolating the child
• Do not use identified foods in activities or parties
• Encourage hand washing before and after eating
• Discourage sharing of food and utensils
• Take Epi-pen and cellular phone/arrange phone access on all field trips

Student with Severe Allergy:

• Will only eat foods from home and not share utensils or drinks
• Will eat at a designated spot in the classroom which is cleaned before and after eating
• Will tell an adult if they feel they are having an allergic reaction
• Carry an Epi-pen with them at all times
• Wash hands before and after eating

Parent/Guardian:

• Inform school every year, of your child’s allergy and complete an Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan
• Work with the school and teacher to develop a plan for your child
• Encourage your child to speak out when they feel they are having an allergic reaction
• Encourage your child to carry their own Epi-Pen, not share foods/utensils and practice good hand washing
• Teach your child that it is okay to say ”No” to foods when offered
• Order a medic-alert bracelet/necklace for your child

All parents/guardians:

• Should be informed that there is an allergic child in the school
• Encourage their own child to respect all students regardless of allergies

Other Students:

• Will not share food, drinks or utensils
• Wash hands before and after eating
• Respect the allergic child
• Know who to call in case they think the allergic child needs help