SUNSCREEN:

Any student in a public school under the jurisdiction of a local board of education or in a nonpublic school may possess and apply federal Food and Drug Administration regulated over—the-counter sunscreen at school and at school—based events notwithstanding any other provision of law, including any rule of the State Board of Education or the State Board of Nursing.  

Any student, parent, or guardian requesting a school board employee to apply sunscreen to a student shall present to the nurse a Parent Prescriber Authorization Form signed by the parent/ guardian.  A Physician signature is not required. 

 

BACKPACK SAFETY: 

IS YOUR CHILD CARRYING 20-30% OF THEIR BODY WEIGHT IN THEIR BACKPACK? According to Change.org (2017), it is medically proven that children carrying more than 10% of their body weight is damaging to their spine. "Just because you can’t see the internal damage, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening" (Sams, 2017). 

 

BECOME AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT YOUR CHILD IS CARRYING NO MORE THAN 10% OF THEIR WEIGHT IN THEIR BACKPACK.   -VISIT www.bacsupport.com FOR MORE INFORMATION.

 

IMMUNIZATIONS:

Immunization certificates, required by Alabama law, must be presented to the school before a child can enroll in public school. Certificates are available from local physicians or local health departments. Only students presenting a Certificate of Medical Exemption or a Certificate of Religious Exemption are excused from this requirement.

MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE AND VACCINE:

Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria. It is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2-18 years old in the United States. The bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are very common. The disease is most common in children and people with certain medical conditions that affect their immune system. The disease is spread through exchange of respiratory droplets or saliva with an infected person including kissing, coughing, sneezing, and sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils. In a few people, the bacteria overcome the body’s immune system and pass through the lining of the nose and throat into the blood stream and cause meningitis. Meningitis is a term that describes inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, stiff neck, red rash, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. The meningococcal vaccine MCV4 is recommended for all children 11-12 years of age and for unvaccinated adolescents at high school entry (15 years of age). High school seniors should also consider obtaining the vaccine prior to entering college, especially if they are planning on living in a dormitory. Parents should consult the family physician or the local health department for more information. Information on MCV4 and other vaccine recommendations may also be obtained at www.adph.org/immunization.

FLU:

INFLUENZA (FLU) VACCINE (INACTIVATED OR RECOMBINANT): WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Flu is caused by influenza viruses, and is spread mainly by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Anyone can get flu. Flu strikes suddenly and can last several days.

Symptoms vary by age, but can include:  fever/chills  sore throat  muscle aches  fatigue  cough  headache  runny or stuffy nose Flu can also lead to pneumonia and blood infections, and cause diarrhea and seizures in children. If you have a medical condition, such as heart or lung disease, flu can make it worse. 

Flu is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk. Each year thousands of people in the United States die from flu, and many more are hospitalized. Flu vaccine can:  keep you from getting flu  make flu less severe if you do get it, and  keep you from spreading flu to your family and other people.

A dose of flu vaccine is recommended every flu season. Children 6 months through 8 years of age may need two doses during the same flu season. Everyone else needs only one dose each flu season. Consult your child's Healthcare Provider/ Pediatrician for additional information and to discuss your child's need for the Flu Vaccine.