Health Office
Phone 716-627-5011 ex 219
Fax 716-627-2910
Fax 716-627-2910
Important Health Office Information
There is a Registered Nurse available daily for injuries or illnesses that occur at school. Please call the school daily to report absences or tardiness. Also, please keep the office informed of any change in phone numbers in the event we need to contact you.
If your child has a temperature of 100(F) or higher, is vomiting or having diarrhea, has copious nasal discharge, or coughing serious enough to interfere with their learning, please keep them home until symptoms are gone for a full 24 hours. This is a Public Health issue, and we follow the guidelines set forth by Erie County. Compliance greatly reduces the spread of viruses and illness to the rest of the class.
If your child has a temperature of 100(F) or higher, is vomiting or having diarrhea, has copious nasal discharge, or coughing serious enough to interfere with their learning, please keep them home until symptoms are gone for a full 24 hours. This is a Public Health issue, and we follow the guidelines set forth by Erie County. Compliance greatly reduces the spread of viruses and illness to the rest of the class.
Medication in School
The school nurse can work with your child's physician if it is necessary for him/her to have medication in school. A written order from the physician and parental permission along with the medication in an original pharmacy labeled container will be kept in the Health Office, and administered as directed. Other than in specific instances, students cannot carry medication of any kind on their persons. This includes over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, and Cough Drops. These OTC medications must also be in the original container and have been ordered by the physician.
Medications MUST be brought directly to the Nurse by the parent or guardian.
Our health office has a nebulizer available to use if necessary through a grant from the American Lung Association. To use this equipment, please have orders as mentioned above, plus your child's own medication chamber, mouthpiece, and tubing.
Medications MUST be brought directly to the Nurse by the parent or guardian.
Our health office has a nebulizer available to use if necessary through a grant from the American Lung Association. To use this equipment, please have orders as mentioned above, plus your child's own medication chamber, mouthpiece, and tubing.
When to Keep Your Child Home From School
We are frequently asked when to keep a child home from school.
If your child is exhibiting flu like symptoms, (muscle aches, chills, sore throat, etc) keep him home.
If your child has a cold, the decision to stay home depends on the severity of symptoms.
If he has a fever of 100 F or higher, copious nasal discharge and incessant coughing, rest at home is needed. Upon return to school, send him with tissues and advise him to drink extra water during the day.
Parents should keep their sick child home from school until he has been without fever, and no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours.
If your child is exhibiting flu like symptoms, (muscle aches, chills, sore throat, etc) keep him home.
If your child has a cold, the decision to stay home depends on the severity of symptoms.
If he has a fever of 100 F or higher, copious nasal discharge and incessant coughing, rest at home is needed. Upon return to school, send him with tissues and advise him to drink extra water during the day.
Parents should keep their sick child home from school until he has been without fever, and no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours.
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Physicals |
Sports Physicals |
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There are five grade levels, as well as any new student that are required by New York State Educational Law to have a physical examination and a comprehensive dental exam. They are Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th grades. If your child is planning on participating in any sports offered her, it is a requirement to have an annual physical done within the calendar year of the onset of that sports activity. If your child is in one of the grade levels requiring a physical, and you are unable to have that physical completed privately, the district will provide one at no charge to you. If you have any questions about the guidelines, or to verify the date or need for your child's next physical, please call the school nurse.
Dental HealthThere is a dental health law that requests a dental health certificate stating your child received a comprehensive dental examination. As mentioned above, all new students, Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th grade students need this dental exam.
Physical EducationIf you feel it is necessary to excuse your child from Physical education class, a written note is required for that day. Up to three consecutive parentally excused classes are allowed. After that time period, a note from your physician is needed for long-term exclusion. Earrings and necklaces are to be removed for every physical education class. If your child (grades 4-8) is on a long term medical exclusion from physical education class, a written assignment will be given to earn mandated credit.
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Southtowns Catholic School abides by the policies set forth by the Department of Catholic Education Athletic Handbook and the Frontier School District.
Any student interested in participating on a Southtowns Catholic sports team during this school year MUST have a valid physical. The physical must have been done within 12 months of the end of the season, and the school nurse must have proof from your doctor. Any student not in compliance with this requirement will not be able to participate in athletics in any way (practice or games) until the sports physical has been completed. More information on this policy is available in the Athletic Handbook available on the Athletic Link: www.buffaoldce.org - Click on Athletic Handbook. Hard copies are available in the school office. InjuriesIf at any time your child is injured, and requires use of crutches, braces, slings, or air casts, a note from your doctor including diagnosis, confirmation of instruction for using crutches, and length of expected use of this apparatus is needed. Resumption of physical education class and sports depends on the physician note. If the student is not in physical education, he/she cannot participate in sports. Following an injury, a doctor's release must be presented to the health office to resume play, and to receive a return to play certificate for the coach.
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- Southtowns Catholic School has full time Registered Nurses on staff.
- Our building is completely handicapped accessible.
- There are peanut free classrooms, and peanut free eating areas in the cafeteria.
Streptococcal Infections: Strep Throat
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What is group A Streptococcus (GAS)?
Group A streptococci are bacteria commonly found in the throat and on the skin. The vast majority of GAS infections are relatively mild illnesses, such as strep throat and impetigo. Occasionally, however, these bacteria can cause much more severe and even life threatening diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis (occasionally described as "the flesh-eating bacteria") and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). In addition, people may carry group A streptococci in the throat or on the skin and have no symptoms of disease. How are group A streptococci spread? These bacteria are spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges of an infected individual or with infected skin lesions. The risk of spread is greatest when an individual is ill, such as when people have strep throat or an infected wound. Individuals who carry the bacteria but have no symptoms are much less contagious. Treatment of an infected person with an appropriate antibiotic for 24 hours or longer eliminates contagiousness. However, it is important to complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed. Household items like plates, cups and toys do not play a major role in disease transmission. What is invasive group A streptococcal disease? Invasive GAS disease is a severe and sometimes life-threatening infection in which the bacteria have invaded parts of the body, such as the blood, deep muscle and fat tissue or the lungs. Two of the most severe, but least common, forms of invasive GAS disease are called necrotizing fasciitis (infection of muscle and fat tissue) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (a rapidly progressing infection causing low blood pressure/shock and injury to organs such as the kidneys, liver and lungs). Approximately 20 percent of patients with necrotizing fasciitis and 60 percent with STSS die. About 10-15 percent of patients with other forms of invasive group A streptococcal disease die. What are the early signs and symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome? Early signs and symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis include fever, severe pain and swelling, and redness at the wound site. Early signs and symptoms of STSS may include fever, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, rash and abdominal pain. How common is invasive group A streptococcal disease?Approximately 9,000-11,500 cases of invasive GAS disease occur in the United States each year resulting in 1,000-1,800 deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that less than 10% of these are cases of necrotizing fasciitis and STSS. In contrast, there are several million cases of strep throat and impetigo annually. Clusters of cases or outbreaks of invasive GAS have not been reported in any schools or communities in New York State. Why does invasive group A streptococcal disease occur?Invasive group A streptococcal infections occur when the bacteria gets past the defenses of the person who is infected. This may occur when a person has sores or other breaks in the skin that allow the bacteria to get into the tissue. Health conditions that decrease a person's immunity to infection also make invasive disease more likely. In addition, there are certain strains of GAS that are more likely to cause severe disease than others. The reason why some strains will cause more severe illness is not totally clear but may involve the production of substances (toxins) that cause shock and organ damage and of enzymes that cause tissue destruction. |
Who is most at risk of invasive group A streptococcal disease?
Few people who come in contact with a virulent strain of GAS will develop invasive GAS disease; most will have a routine throat or skin infection and some may have no symptoms whatsoever. Although healthy people can get invasive GAS disease, people with chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes and kidney dialysis, and those who use medications such as steroids, are at higher risk. In addition, breaks in the skin, like cuts, surgical wounds or chickenpox, may provide an opportunity for the bacteria to enter the body. Can invasive group A streptococcal disease be treated? Group A streptococcus bacteria can be treated with common, inexpensive antibiotics. Penicillin is the drug of choice for both mild and severe disease. For penicillin-allergic patients with mild illness, erythromycin can be used, although occasional resistance has been seen. Clindamycin may be used to treat penicillin-allergic patients with more severe illness and can be added to the treatment in cases of necrotizing fasciitis or STSS. Certain other antibiotics also are effective. In addition to antibiotics, supportive care in an intensive care unit and sometimes surgery are necessary with these diseases. Early treatment may reduce the risk of death although, unfortunately, even appropriate therapy does not prevent death in every case. Should contacts of individuals with invasive group A streptococcal disease be tested and treated? The risk of secondary cases of invasive GAS disease among persons with casual contact to a case is very small. However, there are occasional reports of close contacts such as family members developing severe disease. In general, it is not necessary for all persons exposed to someone with an invasive group A streptococcal infection to be tested or receive preventive antibiotics. If household contacts are in good health, they should be watched for signs of GAS infection, but will not need to take preventive antibiotics. However, those who are at higher risk of invasive disease if infected (for example, persons with diabetes, cancer, chronic heart disease or alcoholism) should discuss the benefit of preventive antibiotics with their healthcare provider. What can be done to help prevent invasive group A streptococcal infections? The spread of all types of group A streptococcal infections may be reduced by good hand washing, especially after coughing and sneezing, before and after preparing foods and before eating. Persons with sore throats should be seen by a physician who can perform tests to find out whether it is strep throat; if so, one should stay home from work, school or daycare for 24 hours or more after taking an antibiotic. All wounds should be kept clean. Wounds should be watched for possible signs of infection which include increasing redness, swelling and pain at the wound site. If these signs occur, especially in a person who also has a fever, consult a doctor immediately. |
