School Nurse
From the desk of Mrs. Harper: CONTACT ME
THE PISD SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL IS SEEKING NEW MEMBERS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2011-2012!
The School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) assists the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in the health education program. The council will address the continued implementation of a coordinated health program that includes health education, physical education, health services, nutrition services, counseling, healthy school environment, staff health promotion and family/community involvement.
The SHAC meets at least 4 times during the school year and is seeking parents and community members to be a part of this process that assists in providing a healthier education to our PISD students.
If you are interested in serving on the SHAC, please contact the District Health Coordinator:
Lisa Harper, RN
School Nurse/District Health Coordinator
901 Second Street
Palacios, TX 77465
(361) 972-2016 (Phone)
(361) 972-2695 (Fax)
| EAST SIDE NEWS | JR. HIGH NEWS | HIGH SCHOOL NEWS |
| 6th Graders going into 7th must receive the Tdap, Varicella and Meningococcal Vaccines prior to the first day of 7th grade. Students who do not have a copy of the vaccines on file at the school by the first day of 7th grade will be sent home. |
7th Grade Students must have received the Tdap, Varicella and Meningococcal Vaccines and have a copy on file at the school by August 22, 2011. Students who do not have a copy of the vaccines on file at the school by the first day of 7th grade will be sent home. |
IMMUNIZATIONS
To enter school: State Law requires new entrants to provide an immunization record or a signed exemption. These are the required immunizations:
Children enrolled in pre-kindergarten or early childhood programs shall have the following immunizations (at the ages indicated) against: DTaP (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), IPV (polio), HIB (haemophilus influenza type b), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, PCV (Pneumococcal), Varicella, and TB skin test with documented results. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade shall have the following vaccines, according to the schedule listed.
- Diphtheria/ Pertussis/ Tetanus (DTaP): Students are required to have five doses- one of which must have been received on or after the fourth birthday. However, if the fourth dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday, only four doses are required. Students seven years of age or older are required to have at least three doses, provided at least one dose was received on or after the fourth birthday.
- Tetanus (Tdap) Booster: For students in seventh grade, one dose of the Tdap is required if at least five years have passed since the last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine. If the last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine was given less than five years previous, this dose will be due when five years has passed. For students in grades 8-12, one dose received 10 years after the last DTP/DTaP/Tdap dose is required.
- Polio (IPV): Students are required to have four doses, one of which must have been received on or after the fourth birthday. However, if the third dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday, only three doses are required.
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Students are required to have two doses with the first dose received on or after the first birthday.
- Hepatitis B (Hep B): Students are required to have three doses.
- Varicella (chicken pox): Kindergarten, first grade, seventh grade, eighth grade, and ninth grade students are required to have two doses with the first dose received on or after the first birthday or have on file a written statement from a parent/guardian or physician showing date of illness. For all other grades, one dose on or after the first birthday or a written statement from parent/guardian or physician showing date of illness is required. (Two doses are required if the child was thirteen years of age or older at the time the first dose of vaccine was given.) For the following school year (2012-2013), 10th graders must also have received two doses of the varicella vaccine.
- Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV): Students in seventh, eighth grade, and ninth grade are required to have one dose of the meningococcal vaccine. For the following school year (2012-2013), students in tenth grade will also be required to have received one dose of the meningococcal vaccine.
- Hepatitis A (Hep A): Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students are required to have two doses with the first dose received on or after the first birthday.
- TB skin test with documented results (District requirement) must be given after 2nd birthday and repeated if moving here from another state or country.
The Texas Dept. of Health has decreed that all new students entering the school system must have their shots up to date or on schedule within 30 days of entering school.
Immunizations may be obtained from one of the following:
Your physician
Matagorda County Health Department,
1100 Avenue G, Bay City, 979-245-8421
MEHOP,
101 N. Avenue F, Bay City, 979-245-2008
Jackson County Health Department,
411 N. Wells, Edna, 361-782-5221
Calhoun County Health Department,
117 W. Ash, Port Lavaca, 361-552-9721
VISION & HEARING
All 4 year old and kindergarten students are screened annually, as well as any 1st time entrants. Annual screens are also done in grades 1, 3, 5, & 7 or anytime it's requested by a teacher or a parent.
MEDICATIONS
According to Texas Law Family Code 21.914, authorized employees of the school may administer medication to a student provided:
A signed written request to administer the medication from the parent, legal guardian, or other person having legal control of the student is sent to school with the medication.
All medication must be in the original container and properly labeled with the name of the drug.
All prescription medication must also be labeled with above information including student's name, doctor's name, dosage and times to be given and dated.
Students are to check in all medication into the office so that they can be properly dispensed during school hours.
SPINAL SCREENING
All students in grades 5 and 8 will receive the spinal screening. If for religious reasons, you wish to not have your child screened, you are to submit an affidavit of religious exemption to the nurse's office. Spinal screening for 8th grade for the 2011-2012 school year will take place on February 21. If you have an 8th grader that you do not wish to be screened, you must submit an affidavit of religious exemption to the nurse's office by February 21, 2012. Spinal screening for 5th grade for the 2011-2012 school year will take place on December 7. If you have a 5th grader that you do not wish to be screened, you must submit an affidavit of religious exemption to the nurse's office by December 7, 2011.
HEAD LICE
What are head lice?
The head louse is a very small insect (parasite) about the size of a pin that lives on the human head by sucking blood. The eggs (nits) are tiny tan or gray specks securely glued to the hair shaft (usually close to the scalp). They live about a month and reproduce rapidly with the life cycle of one week from nit to louse and another week from louse to producing nits. A female may lay as many as 100 eggs in her lifetime.
Who gets head lice?
Lice are no respecters of persons. Anyone can get them. Personal cleanliness is not necessarily a factor in having head lice. They exist primarily with young school-age children. Girls can get them more often than boys.
How are lice spread?
Head lice do not fly, hop, or jump and do not live on animals or anything other than humans. They are transmitted from person to person by direct contact and by contact with personal items (combs, brushes, hats, headgear, etc), clothing, and bedding (including pillows). Places a person can get head lice are: day care centers, babysitters' houses, relatives' houses, dance/gym class, movie theaters, public transportation sources (planes, buses), share lockers, slumber parties, church activities and any place that there is contact with another's head.
What are the symptoms?
Usually the person will have itching and scratching. However, confirmation of lice is made by careful examination to identify the live louse and/or nits.
What is the treatment for head lice?
Medicated shampoos, creams, or gels kill lice but these are to be used along with several steps of cleaning to assure their elimination. Please read and understand the instructions on treatment. These medications are not recommended for children under age 2. People should not use the pediculicides unless they have lice. If you have questions, ask your pharmacist. All the nits (eggs) must be removed to complete the treatment process.
How do you get rid of lice?
The best cure is prevention. People, including children, should not share personal items (combs, brushes, hats, etc.) or bedding. These items should be washed frequently. Floors, carpets, furniture, etc., should be vacuumed frequently. Parents should inspect their children's heads, hair, and scalp frequently.
How concerned should I be?
There is no reason to panic. Unfortunately this is a fairly common problem. It is a nuisance and inconvenience, but lice do not cause disease or other health problems. A lice infestation concern is made worse when parents and teachers overreact creating unkindness and mistreatment among children. Handling the problem responsibly according to accepted guidelines is the best response to a lice infestation.
METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPH AUREUS
What is Staphylococcus aureus or Staph?
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Sometimes, it can cause an infection that can look like pimples or boils. Skin infections caused by Staph may be red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. Some Staph bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics, making it harder to treat. This is called Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). The information on this page applies to both Staph and MRSA.
Who gets a Staph infection:
Anyone can get a Staph infection. People are more likely to get a Staph infection if they have:
- Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a Staph infection
- Prolonged contact with items and surfaces that have Staph on them
- Openings in their skin such as cuts scrapes or lesions
- Crowded living conditions
- Poor hygiene
How serious are Staph infections?
Most Staph skin infections are minor and may be easily treated. Staph also may cause more serious infections, such as infections of the bloodstream, surgical sites, or pneumonia. Sometimes, a Staph infection that starts as a skin infection may worsen. It is important to contact your doctor if your infection does not get better.
How are Staph infections treated?
Treatment for a Staph skin infection may include taking an antibiotic or having a doctor a doctor drain the infection. If you are given an antibiotic, be sure and take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better, unless your doctor tells you to stop taking it. Do not share antibiotics with other people or save them to use later. Take antibiotics only under the care of a physician.
How can I prevent Staph or MRSA skin infections:
Practice good hygiene:
- Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed
- Avoid contact with other peoples wounds or bandages
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors
Need more information?
If you have any questions about your condition, please contact your doctor. More information on Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Website: www.cdc.gov
Links & Resources
Texas Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control
National Association of School Nurses
American Cancer Society