Health Information

• Illness Protocols
• Conditons for Closure
• ​Communicable Diseases
• Head Lice
• Concussions

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​Families and staff are asked to conduct health checks each morning before leaving their homes.
If any of the following 4 symptoms are detected, do not come to school:
■ Fever (100.4°F or above) or chills
■ Cough
■ Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
■ New loss of taste or smell If any of the following 7 symptoms are detected in combination with each other or any of the symptoms above, do not come to school.
■ Fatigue
■ Muscle or body aches
■ Headache
■ Sore throat
■ Congestion or runny nose
■ Nausea or vomiting
■ Diarrhea
Parents are prohibited from sending their children to school with the use of fever reducing medications. 
​The wellness room will be used as a quarantining area if a child or adult becomes ill.

​​The Academy will use a set of guidelines to determine the safety of student learning.
The “Conditions for Closure” include:
● Insufficient staff for 2-3 consecutive days. Insufficient staff would mean that the substitute list was exhausted in the event of a staff member’s absence.
● Student attendance rate falls below 75%.

The school will observe recommendations of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regarding communicable diseases.
1. The student's parent/guardian is required to notify the school office if they suspect their child has a communicable disease.
2. In certain cases, students with a communicable disease may be excluded from school or sent home from school following notification of the parent/guardian.
​3. A student excluded because of a communicable disease will be permitted to return to school only when the parent/guardian provides the school a letter from the student’s doctor stating that the student is no longer contagious or at risk of spreading the communicable disease. 

The school will observe the following protocols regarding head lice.
1. The student's parent/guardian is required to notify the school office if their child is suspected of having head lice.
2. Infested students will be sent home following notification to the parent/guardian.
​3. The school will provide written instructions to the parent/guardian regarding appropriate treatment for the infestation. 4. A student excluded because of head lice will be permitted to return to school only when the parent/guardian brings the student to school with confirmation of treatment. The school will re-examine the student's hair. The student will be readmitted to school if no live lice are found. Periodic checks of the student’s hair by designated school personnel will be done over the next few weeks to assure successful treatment. Parent/guardian should continue daily lice checks and nit removal for the next two to three weeks.

A student who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (i.e. loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems), shall be immediately removed from physical participation and shall not return to the activity until he/she is evaluated by an appropriate licensed health professional who has the ability to recognize and treat concussions and receives written clearance to do so. Written medical clearance will then be maintained in the student's CA-60 file until he/she is 18 years of age.

​State law requires all Michigan by schools to provide educational materials on the signs/symptoms and consequences of concussions to each student participating in an athletic activity (extra- curricular sports and/or gym class) and their parents/guardians and to obtain a signed statement acknowledging receipt of the information to keep on record. Please see concussion information at the end of this handbook and be sure to return the signature page to the school. 

Medications
Find Medical Forms to fill out for school here.

• Vaccination Requirements
• Emergency Medical Card​
• Self-Administered Medicine
• ​ Severe Food Allergy or Chronic Illness

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​All children who enter and attend schools in Michigan are required by state law to have a certificate of immunization on file showing completion of the minimum requirements of immunization, or a signed waiver. OMPS requires this information for all preschool, kindergarten, third grade students and any new students transferring to the district.
Waivers for medical reasons must be obtained from a physician or health care provider. Waivers for non-medical reasons must be obtained from the Health Department. The immunization record, from a health care provider, or a signed waiver must be on file at the school office prior to the first day of school.
Students who enroll in a public school who do not have up-to-date immunizations or an authorized waiver will not be allowed to attend school until the appropriate paperwork is on file in the school office. 

• Understanding the Risks & Responsibilities of Choosing Not to Vaccinate Your Child

Date of immunizations is important in determining protection achieved.  Written proof of immunization from a healthcare provider or waiver signed by a parent/guardian must be provided to the school.
Where To Go For Immunizations

• Your family health care provider, by appointment.
• Grand Traverse County Health Department, for an appointment call 231.995.6131 [http://www.co.grand-traverse.mi.us/498/Health-Dept]
• K-Town Youth Care, Serving ages 10 to 21. Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Located at 112 Brownson Avenue, Kingsley, Call 231.263.5895 for an appointment. Walk-ins accepted if schedule allows.
• Munson Medical Center Specialty Immunization Walk-In Clinic at 106 S. Madison St., Traverse City. Weekend and off-hours times are available. Call 231.935.8125 in advance or for more information.
• Youth Health & Wellness Center, ages 10-21, for an appointment call 231.922.6416.[www.co.grand-traverse.mi.us/742/Youth-Health-Wellness-Center]

*Bring immunization records. Parent or guardian must accompany child under 18 years. Your health insurance may cover vaccines. If no health insurance or if health insurance denies coverage of vaccines, ask about the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC.)
Vaccines for Children Program
If your health insurance does not pay anything for vaccines, your child may be able to get VFC vaccine.  Check with your doctor or contact the Health Department. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program provides childhood vaccines to eligible children and the government pays for the vaccines. Doctors and clinics give VFC vaccines to children who qualify in order to help kids stay healthy. Children from birth through 18 years of age can receive VFC vaccines if they: are currently on Medicaid or eligible for Medicaid, do not have health insurance, are American Indian or Alaskan Native, are under-insured. For more information on VFC, go to: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/parents.

​Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) will also be asked to sign an emergency medical card to permit the teacher or adult in charge to secure medical assistance for the child in an emergency. If your child is injured or becomes ill at school, we will make every effort to contact you. Of course, in an emergency situation the child should be transported to the nearest medical facility able to render appropriate care, regardless of parental preference. Typically, this decision is made by an EMT (emergency medical technician) or other first responder. Please be sure that your emergency contact information on your Student Registration Form is filled out completely and accurately and on file in the school office so that we will be able to reach you at home or at work. The registration form should also list the names and numbers of at least two other people we can call in case we are unable to contact you. Please be sure that the people you list as emergency contacts are aware of this and are willing and able to take responsibility for your child.

​A student may possess an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®) and/or an asthma inhaler prescribed for use at the student’s discretion, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a School Medication Authorization Form. The school and district shall incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from a student’s self-administration of medication or epinephrine auto-injector or the storage of any medication by school personnel. A student’s parent/guardian must agree to indemnify and hold harmless the school district and its employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim based on willful and wanton conduct, arising out of a student’s self-administration of an epinephrine auto-injector and/or asthma inhaler, or the storage of any medication by school personnel.

If your student has a life-threatening allergy or life-threatening chronic illness, please notify the building principal at (231) 252-0225.

Federal law protects students from discrimination due to a disability that substantially limits a major life activity. If your student has a qualifying disability, an individualized Section 504 Plan will be developed and implemented to provide the needed support and accommodations so that he/she can access educational programs and services.

​Not all students with severe allergies or chronic illnesses may be eligible for a Section 504 Plan. Our School also may be able to appropriately meet a student's needs through other means. 

​24-Hour Help Lines & Quick Resources:
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
988
CALL 2-1-1
A Free Community Service
Michigan 2-1-1 is a free service that connects Michigan residents with help and answers from thousands of health and human services agencies and resources right in their communities — quickly, easily, and confidentially.

OK2SAY Students can always anonymously report an incident at any time to the OK2SAY tip line (855-565-2729), text to 652729, or email [email protected].

Local Resources:GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY & NORTHERN MICHIGAN:

• Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority: 24-Hour Crisis Hotline- 833-295-0616 (711 TTY)
• Traverse City Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Hotline: (855) 706-9275
• 24-Hour Substance Abuse Hotline: (800) 662-4357
• Addiction Treatment Services: (231) 346-5216
• Traverse City Munson Behavioral Health: (231) 935-6382
• Traverse City Mental Wellness Counseling: (231) 714-0282
• Traverse City Lakeview Counseling: (231) 929-0300
• TCAPS Student Health Center
• Northwest Michigan Health Services (NMHSI) 231-0451

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