Health Information
Teresa Riggs, RN, BSN
817-949-5610
School health services are offered to help CHS students and staff maintain an optimum level of wellness. Identification of health related barriers to learning are crucial to the provision of an appropriate and excellent educational experience.
Immunizations
According to the Texas Department of Health, all student immunization records must be in compliance with state requirements in order to enroll and/or attend classes. There is no longer a 30 day grace period to produce immunization records. In 9th and 10th grade, we are checking for the required 10 year Tetanus (Td) booster (following a minimum of 4 DPT/DT doses with one after age 4), 2 measles shots after age 12 months, a series of 3 Hepatitis B, chicken pox disease date or varicella vaccine, and a completed polio vaccine series (a minimum of 3 doses with one after age 4). You may obtain any of these immunizations from your health care provider or the Tarrant County Health Department, TCHD is located at 813 Brown Trail Rd., Bedford, 817-285-4155. Please send documentation of immunization to the nurse. You may FAX it to 817-949-5656. For more information regarding immunization requirements and exemptions please access www.ImmunizeTexas.com. You may call the nurse with any questions.
Medications at School
All medications, prescription and over the counter, are to be stored in the clinic according to the CISD zero tolerance policy. All prescriptions, including inhalers and epi-pens, require a doctor’s signed permission. Students may carry their inhaler or epi-pen with a signed doctor's order. Students may carry their diabetic testing supplies and insulin, with a doctor's signed orders. All over the counter medications require a parent’s signed permission and the medication must be supplied by the parent, in the original container (no plastic bags). There are no medications supplied by the clinic. Any permission may be faxed to the nurse at 817-949-5656. Temporary medications such as a 10 day antibiotic requires the original prescription bottle and the parent signature. All medications are to be picked up by the last day of school-anything left in the clinic will be disposed of after the last day.
Allergies
Please notify the nurse of any allergies that may require emergency treatment during the school day-again, the clinic has no stock medication, if your student needs benedryl or an epi-pen, you must supply it. Please notify the nurse of any other health conditions that may be of concern during the school day.
Illness
Students who vomit or have a temperature of 100 are sent home. Students who become ill at school are to go the school clinic for nursing assessment, and to call to go home if necessary. A parent or authorized person must sign out all 9th graders. Tenth graders may sign out with parental permission-school personnel (nurse or attendance) must speak with the parent.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders and weight can be a major issue for teenagers. If you have any concern that your student may be binging and vomiting, dangerously limiting their food intake, overly concerned with their weight when they are thin, please seek information to educate yourself and seek sources for help. One very good site for information is: EDReferral.com. You can always call the school nurse or counselor for information also.
Grieving Students
We have students on our campus who have lost a parent or another significant loved one. There is a wonderful resource for families seeking support after such a loss. It is the WARM Place at Cook Children's in Ft. Worth, 817-870-2272. Grieving children ages 3-18, and their families are provided grief support services free of charge. www.thewarmplace.org.
Adolescent Depression
This is a serious and treatable mental illness/disorder that is seen in 5% of adolescents. It puts the teen at greater risk for suicide and drugs. It is manifested in social problems, mood problems, school problems, and physical complaints. The teen may feel hopeless and helpless, the parent knows "something is not right". For appropriate referrals and information on resources, dial: 2-1-1. The wonderful speakers at our parent program on adolescent depression were Dr. Barbara Johnson and Mollie Kuchta, from Cook Children's Behavior Services. They can both be reached at 682-885-1050. molliek@cookchildrens.org. 24 hour hotlines: 817-335-3022 and 1-800-273-8255 and 1-800-333-4444.
Staphlyococcus Skin Infections
Staph infections occur in healthy, non-hospitalized people and usually cause skin infections that resemble pimples, boils, spider bites, that may be red, hot, painful or itching. Staphylococcus is found on many surfaces and is commonly on our skin. It is spread by contact with contaminated surfaces such as those in locker rooms, razors, deodorant, towels, bar soap, athletic equipment, etc. It can be spread by skin to skin contact through minor abrasions , or intact skin. A suspicious rash or “spider bite” should be seen by a physician for diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment. Untreated staphylococcus infections can progress to very serious systemic infections. Athletes who present with a suspicious rash are checked by the athletic trainer and referred to their physician as needed. All such rashes must be completely covered during games and practices. Staph infections can be prevented by thorough handwashing; covering lesions at all times; no sharing of personal items such as towels, razors, uniforms, bar soap, deodorant; washing all athletic clothing in laundry detergent and drying in a hot dryer; cleaning of shared equipment and locker rooms with Lysol, 70% alcohol, 10% bleach, or other labeled disinfectant. The CISD athletic coaches and trainers are diligent in keeping locker rooms and equipment clean, and teaching prevention to the athletes. Their health is the number one concern.