Frequently Asked Questions

Q:        How can you help prevent the flu?

A:       There are simple actions that you can take to help reduce your child’s exposure to flu viruses and the risk of developing the flu:

•     Wash your hands often, especially after you have been out in public or touched things that other people have touched, like a grocery cart, a gas pump or even a doorknob. Your child should wash his hands after sharing toys or books with friends.

•      To prevent spreading the flu, turn your head when you cough and sneeze into disposable tissues.

•      Do not expose infants to large crowds during the flu season.

•      Avoid close contact with family members who have the flu.

Q:        What is the treatment for the flu?

A:        There are four important things to remember when treating a child   with the flu:

1.  Rest – Your child should get plenty of rest, but he should ‘perk up’ at least briefly every four hours. If he does not have brief periods of feeling better, call your doctor.

2.  Fluids – The best fluids are clear liquids, including water, clear juices and sports drinks. If your child rejects most solid foods for a day or two that’s okay, as long as he continues to drink well and urinate normally. If your child does want to eat, feed him/her bland foods in small amounts.

3.  Fever Control – Consult your physician  

4.  One final key to controlling your child’s fever is how he is dressed or how he is covered when in bed. Bundling him up will make it harder for the medicine to lower his temperature. Dress or cover your child as you normally would for the temperature of the room he is in.

Q:        Close Observation for Signs of Complications  

A:       These signs include very frequent cough, rash and vomiting.

Q:        When should you seek medical help?

A:       If your child:

•          Is breathing rapidly or having trouble breathing

•          Is having convulsions or a seizure

•          Is not alert or is disoriented

•          Has persistent vomiting

You should also call the doctor if your child is more susceptible to the flu or a complication. For example, if your child is:

• Has a pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetes, asthma or kidney disease

• On treatment or has a disease that decreases the body’s ability to fight infection

Q:        How often should I update my contact info?

A:        There are many occasions when the nurses, or other staff members need to contact a parent.  Very often phone numbers have been changed or parents are working and the students do not have up to date information when your child is sick or injured it is very frustrating to the nurses not to be able to contact a parent quickly.  Emergency cards are very important.  Your child has received one in homeroom.  Please complete the card and send it back ASAP. If there are any changes in your contact info please let us know.

Q:        Is the information provided to the School nurse kept confidential?

A:        The Health Services Staff at Lakeland School District are very  professional and will not breach your confidence.  The nurse should be made aware of situations concerning your student's physical and mental health, and any daily medications your student takes.

Q:        When is the Annual Vision Screening completed?

A:       Vision screening is provided by the Health Office each year. Parents will be notified in writing if the result of screening is not within the normal range. Since it is only a screening, we advise parents to refer the child to an eye specialist for further consultation.

Q:        If a student needs to take medication during school hours, what do we do?

A:         By district policy all medications, over the counter as well as prescription, 

must have a written doctor's order and written parent permission.  This 

medication order and parental permission must be renewed every year. For 

safety reasons, any student who needs to take medication must take it at the 

Health Office under the school nurse’s supervision.All medications must come in 

a properly labeled prescription bottle or a small non-prescription 

bottle (i.e. Advil, Tylenol).

Q.        How can parents/guardians help in case of a communicable disease?

A:       In order to keep the school a safe and healthy place for your child, the school health office will appreciate parents’ cooperation in dealing with any possible contagious illness at school. If your child is absent due to illness, please send a note to the teacher or the school nurse when your child returns to school explaining the nature of illness. Also, be sure to inform the school nurse if your child has been exposed to a contagious illness. Please keep your child home if he/she is not well, especially if your child has a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, a rash, greenish or yellowish nasal discharge, or discharge from the eyes or ears. If the is any notable contagious illness case at school, the school nurse will notify the affected class, grade or the entire school depending on the nature of communicable disease involved.

Q:        What if the student is not feeling well when they are in school?

A:       If a student is not feeling well and is unable to attend the class, student may rest briefly at the Health Office at the discretion of the school nurse. If however, the student is not better within an hour, the parent/guardian will be notified to collect the child.

Q:        What if my child has head lice?

A: Head lice are a common infestation in most schools.  We encourage parents to check their child’s hair occasionally for head lice. Please inform us immediately if you do find it. As long as head lice are treated with lice shampoo and all nits are removed from the child’s hair, he/she can come back to school the next day. Please refer to the detailed school policy.

Q:        What happens if a child gets into an accident and is injured during school?

A:       If a student is involved in any accident and sustains an injury that may require outside medical assistance during school hours, the school nurse will try to contact the parent/or guardian in order to get medical help. The school nurse will, attend to the injured student until the parents arrive. In the case of a life-threatening situation, or other serious case, the student will be transported by ambulance to an appropriate hospital. In that case, parents will be notified to meet the child at the hospital instead of at the school.

Q:           What is the school's policy regarding not participating in Physical Education?

A:         District policy states that "a child well enough to attend school is well 

enough to participate in all activities". However, there are times when children with 

specific serious or chronic health conditions may need a program adjustment. If your 

child needs an adjustment in their school environment or activity, we encourage you 

to share your concerns with the school nurse. We will try to accommodate you and 

your child's needs whenever possible. Please notify the nurse if your child has had 

a recent injury, serious illness, or surgery which may require activity restrictions. 

Parents need to provide the school with a note from the attending physician 

describing the type of restriction and its duration. Parents are asked to provide 

a follow-up note from the attending physician after the initial phase has expired. 

An example of this would be after a cast is removed.

 Q:          Is it okay if my child brings in their own medication?

A:         No, all medication whether prescription or "over the counter" must be brought 

in by an adult.

 Q:          Can my child carry their own inhaler or epi-pen?

A:      The district policy does not allow a child to carry their own 

inhaler or epi-pen.