Columbus Academy Health Services

For the latest updates on H1N1 Vaccination Clinics, please click here.

Please use this site as a reference for matters related to student health.  You will find the contact information to our School Health Team, access to necessary forms, protocol for medications, and other guidelines regarding school health policies.  Please be conscientious about supplying the school with needed information and release forms because in an unexpected emergency, important health data and consent forms become critical.

School Health Services

Columbus Academy is committed to providing high-quality health care to each student in the school environment.  The School Nurse provides direct care to all students with acute illnesses or injuries as well as long-term management of students with special health care needs.  The School Nurse Health Services include:

• Illness and injury assessment
• First aid
• Medication administration
• Special health care condition management
• Vision, hearing and postural screenings and referral
• Cumulative student health records including immunizations

School Nurse

The school nurse is available for first aid and emergency care for a student whose illness or injury occurs on the school premises during school hours.  Parents should consult their family physician for accidents or illnesses that occur at home.  The School Nurse and Faculty will attempt to assess these events as accurately as possible and notify parents when further evaluation is recommended.  Student-athletes have the additional benefit of the care and oversight of Kim Stercula, our full-time Athletic Trainer.  Students with injuries or other conditions that limit activity or participation in any school function must have a note from the doctor detailing the child’s activity limitations.

Contact Information

Beckie Hoagland, RN, BSN, Licensed School Nurse
The Columbus Academy
4300 Cherry Bottom Rd,
Gahanna, OH 43230
Fax: (614) 476-0396
Office phone number: (614) 509-2234
Cell phone number (during school): (614) 332-2764
E-mail address: beckie_hoagland@columbusacademy.org

Other Members of the School Health Team

Certified Athletic Trainer Kim Stercula
Lower School Psychologist Dr. Joe Cantrell
Middle School Psychologist Dr. Suzanne Ritter
Upper School Counselor Megan Webster

Things you must do to help ensure your child’s safety and prompt treatment:

There are several forms that must be completed each year.  They include:

1. Emergency Medical Release and Off-Campus Travel Authorization
2. Health History
3. Immunization Record
4. Over-the-Counter Medication Authorization
5. Prescription Medication Authorization
   

Access to forms:

For students in grades K-12, student health, travel authorization and emergency medical release forms for each academic year are available electronically via the Internet.  Instructions and a unique password for each family are mailed the first week in June so that you may complete the confidential forms electronically by the deadline of August 1.  Failure to complete these form prior to the start of school or athletic practices would be viewed the same as refusal to consent for participation in any activity or emergency treatment.  Therefore, your child will not be able to participate in any school activity, such as field trips or athletic practices.

For returning students, all previous information will be displayed in the online database, and each year you will need to update it and consent for off-campus travel and emergency treatment.  If you do not receive your password by mail after the second week in June, please contact Beckie Hoagland RN, School Nurse, at 509-2234.

For PreKindergarten students: 

Health forms will be sent to parents/guardians from the Lower School Office and must be returned no later than the first day of school.  The Ohio Department of Education requires that a physical examination shall occur within 12 months prior to the date of admission and annually thereafter for all students entering PreKindergarten.  The date of the exam must be documented on the Health History Form with a record of immunizations and the Physician’s signature.  Therefore, only hard-copy forms can be accepted.  If your child’s physical exam expires during the school year, you will be required to provide documentation of an updated physical exam with the Physician’s signature at that time.  Please click here for the PreK Physical Exam Form.

Emergency Medical Release and Off-Campus Travel Authorization Form

State law requires that each student have this form on file yearly.  This form is used whenever a student has a health emergency at school or travels off-campus.  It is important to include all telephone numbers of each parent/guardian to be reached in the event of an emergency or illness of your child while at school.  Also, please include names and telephone numbers of individuals who may be contacted if you are unavailable.  The “Consent for Medical Treatment” section covers only an emergency as determined by emergency medical services.  It does not mean that you are consenting for routine care.

Health History Form

This form is to be completed to report any past or current medical conditions.  Some students have special health needs that require accommodations in school or a plan in the event of an emergency.  If your child has a known health condition, please contact the school nurse to discuss a plan of care during school hours.  Medical information will be kept confidential at your request.  Special health conditions: parents should notify the school nurse if a child has any medical problems (e.g., allergies, chronic illness, and vision or hearing difficulties).  The school nurse will work with other school personnel to meet special health needs in school so that the child may benefit fully from his or her educational program.

Immunizations

The Ohio Department of Health requires that all children be properly immunized against varicella, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DPT) and hepatitis B before entrance into school.  Students will be excluded from school on the 15th day if immunization mandates are not met.  To see a schedule of required immunizations, please click here.

Medications

The School Nurse is directly responsible for the administration of any and all medications dispensed on our campus during school hours.  (The Athletic Trainer is responsible for medication and administration for student-athletes.)  Please carefully read the information provided below in order to ensure safety.  Note that all medications (except those approved by the school nurse for self-administration by students such as epi-pens and inhalers) shall be delivered to the school nurse for administration. Authorization from the child's parent must be provided before any dose of prescription or over-the-counter medication may be administered.

• Authorization for Over-the-Counter Medications Form
  Please complete this for any non-prescription medication to be administered at school by the school nurse or athletic trainer.  A list of over-the-counter medications that are available in the school nurse’s office will be provided to the parents for their approval.  Any other non-prescription medications not listed may be sent in to the school nurse in the original container with written instructions and will be kept in the School Nurse or Athletic Trainer’s office.  Students are not permitted to carry medications or self administer medications at school except for prescribed rescue inhalers or epi-pens approved by the school nurse.  Over-the-counter medications that are sent from home must be provided in the original container with written instructions for administration.  Parents may come to school to administer medications to their child if needed.
  
• Prescription Medications
  Prescription medications may be administered on a daily or temporary basis at school.  All prescription medications, including inhalers and epi-pens, must be accompanied by a signed authorization from the health care provider.  Medications must be in the original container with a clearly marked pharmacy label.  A written authorization from an authorized prescriber (i.e., the child's physician, dentist, physician's assistant or advanced practice registered nurse) must be provided before the initial dose of a prescription medication may be administered.  Please complete the downloadable Prescription Medication Form (click here) with the prescribing physician’s signature for each medication yearly or with any medication change during the school year.  These forms must be returned to the School Nurse.  Prescription medications must be provided in a pharmacy prepared container, which is properly labeled with the name of the child, drug, strength, dosage, frequency, authorized prescriber's name, and date of prescription.  Parents may come to school to administer medications to their child if needed.

Communicable Diseases

Parents are urged to report to the school nurse as soon as possible when their child has a communicable disease.  These include but are not limited to: Chickenpox, Impetigo, Pinkeye, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Influenza, Head Lice, Salmonella, Tuberculosis, Fifth Disease, Measles, Pneumonia, Scarlet Fever/Scarletina, Coxsackie Virus, German Measles, Meningitis, MRSA, Pertussis, Smallpox, Haemophilus Influenza, Mononucleosis, Ringworm, Strep Throat, Hepatitis, Mumps, Scabies and Shingles.

Also, please click here for H1N1 flu and seasonal flu precautions.

Whenever there is doubt in your mind about sending your child to school, please contact the school nurse.  Students with the above illnesses or symptoms listed below should be kept home or will be sent home from school:

• Fever over 100F -- a fever is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as a sore throat, vomiting or a headache.  Children with fever should stay home until there is no fever for 24 hours.
• Vomiting -- twice or more in the previous 24 hours.  Occasionally, a single episode of vomiting without any other symptoms may not be reason enough for dismissal from school.
• Diarrhea -- that is persistent or not controlled, or stools with blood and/or mucus.  Diarrhea can be extremely contagious and may be caused by parasites or bacteria.  A child with diarrhea should be diarrhea-free for 24 hours and has returned to a normal diet before resuming school activities.
  
• Frequent cough -- especially if it is frequent during the day, can indicate a worsening of cold or allergy symptoms.  It may also be the sign of a secondary infection (sinusitis, pneumonia), which may require medical treatment.
  
• Persistent pain -- ear, stomach, etc.
  
• Widespread rash -- until deemed non-contagious by the doctor
  
• Pink eye -- symptoms include a reddened eye with either a cloudy or yellow discharge, often with matted eyelashes after sleep.  Your child should stay home until symptoms subside and has been on antibiotic eye drops at least 24 hours or until the doctor recommends the child return to school.
  
• Strep throat -- symptoms include a sore throat, without the presence of runny nose and cough.  Your child should stay home until he/she has been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.

Guidelines for the Return to School

• Chicken Pox:  excluded for 5 days after the onset of the rash and all of the lesions have dried and crusted.
  
• Hepatitis A:  excluded for 1 week after onset of illness and jaundice (if any) has disappeared or until immune serum globulin has been administered to appropriate children and staff in the program within 2 weeks of exposure, as directed by the health department.
  
• Impetigo:  after 24 hours of appropriate treatment completed.
  
• Measles:  exclude until 4 days after the rash appears.
  
• Mumps:  exclude until 9 days after onset of gland swelling.
  
• Pertussis:  exclude until 5 days of appropriate antibiotic therapy has been completed.
  
• Pinworm:  exclude for 24 hours after treatment has begun.
  
• Ringworm:  until 24 hours of appropriate therapy is completed.
  
• Rubella:  for 7 days after the rash appears.
  
• Scabies:  a contagious disorder of the skin caused by a small insects or mites.  Child may return to school after treatment has been completed.
  
• Tuberculosis:  until the child's physician or local health department authority states the child is noninfectious.

Vision and Hearing

Screening for vision and hearing will be done for Pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and all new students as mandated by the state.  If any problems are identified, parents will be notified.  Students who wear corrective lenses should have them at school.

Food Allergy Policy

Columbus Academy has many students who have severe food allergies.  For some children, even trace amounts of an allergen can cause a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.  In an attempt to make our school environment safe for all students, we have implemented a nut-free policy (including peanuts, walnuts, cashews, almonds and all other tree nuts) in the Lower School.  You can help us to maintain a nut-free Lower School by keeping all nut products away from the school.  PLEASE READ ALL LABELS.  "Accidents" happen when foods labeled "may contain" or "traces of" are brought to school.  Nut products are currently permitted in the Middle and Upper Schools but sending in food with nuts is strongly discouraged.  Although the school has not restricted other foods that may be allergens, specific classrooms may have additional restrictions for food brought from home when a student has a known allergy.

Columbus Academy’s food service makes every effort to restrict nuts, except it does serve peanut butter sandwiches due to the overwhelming request by families.  Special care is taken by the food service to prevent cross contact during food preparation, and service and foods served with known student allergens are labeled.  In addition, the Lower School has a supervised nut-free lunch table for children that wish to sit there.

Head Lice

Head lice are common in young children 3 to 12 years of age.  It is neither a health hazard nor a sign of lack of cleanliness.  Head lice are not responsible for any diseases.  The most common symptom of head lice is itching and rarely may lead to a secondary bacterial skin infection from scratching.  Transmission in most cases occurs by direct contact with the head of an infested individual.  Indirect spread can occur through contact with personal belongings of an infested person, such as hairbrushes, hats or bed linens.

If a child a child is demonstrating symptoms of infestation or the parent reports an exposure to head lice, the school nurse may check the student’s head.  The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Ohio Department of Health strongly discourage classroom or school-wide screening due to the lack of evidence of efficacy.

If a child with head lice is discovered, the parent will be contacted to pick the child up at school and administer the proper treatment.  The school nurse or the child’s pediatrician will provide information on treatment of head lice.  The school nurse will consult with the child’s teacher to decide how “contagious” the child may be.  They will consider the age of the child, the severity of the infestation, and if there are other known cases in the school.  If there has been reported head-to-head contact with other children in the classroom, the school nurse may check those children’s heads.  In the Lower School, an information sheet will be sent home to the classroom if there has been an infestation encouraging parents to check their children.  A child will be allowed to return to school after proper treatment and recheck of the head by the school nurse.  Removal of all nits is desirable but not mandatory.  Please click here for more information on head lice.