St. Johns Classical Academy
Frequently Asked Questions
School Health Services
General
When should I keep my scholar home from school?
Your scholar should stay home from school for any of the following:
- A fever of 100°F or higher (taken by mouth)
- contagious illness (this includes pink eye)
- unable to comfortably take part in regular school activities
- viral and or bacterial infections such as the onset of pink eye, fifths disease, hand-foot-mouth
- pinworms
- vomiting
- diarrhea
If my scholar is running a fever, has diarrhea or is vomiting, when can they return to school?
Sick children should not be in school. Any scholar who has a fever, vomiting, has diarrhea or is contagious (i.e., with pink eye, strep, the flu) should be kept home. Before a scholar may return to school, vomiting, diarrhea and/or fevers must be resolved and the scholar must be symptom free, without the use of medication, for 24 hours. Please see the FREQUENT CONDITION GUIDELINES under the FORMS section.
What should I do if I discover lice or nits on my scholar?
Contact the school nurse and classroom teacher immediately. Please treat and/or have your scholar treated prior to the return to school. Provide documentation or email that this has been completed to contain a common spread.
Do I need to fill out a form so my scholar can take medicine at school?
Yes. You will need to fill out the Parental Authorization for Administration of Medicine (PAAM) form located in the FORMS section on the School Health Services website. You will need a separate form for each medication. Please fill in the form completely. A Doctor must sign the form if a scholar is taking prescription medication on school grounds.
If my scholar’s medication stays the same, but the dose or frequency changes, do I need to fill out a new form?
Yes. Our school nurses will only administer medication in accordance with written medical orders signed by an approved State of Florida Healthcare Provider. Nurses will not modify any dosage of medicine based solely on the request or recommendation by a parent or guardian. A parent or guardian seeking a dosage modification must provide the nurse with an appropriate medical order signed by the prescribing healthcare provider.
Can my scholar carry medications in their backpack or lunchbox?
No. If your scholar needs medication at school, whether it is prescription or over-the-counter, it must be kept in the school clinic. There is an exception for life-saving, emergency medications like EpiPens or rescue inhalers. However, the use of life-saving, emergency medications must be approved by a Florida Healthcare Provider, proper demonstration approved by the Clinic Nurse, and all paperwork filled out appropriately by the parent and scholar.
Does the school provide any medications, like Benadryl cream or Tylenol (or any over the counter meds)?
No. The school does not provide any medications. We are only able to administer medications provided by the parent/guardian that are in the original, sealed container. A Parental Authorization for Administration of Medicine (PAAM) form must also be on file with the school clinic.
Does the clinic carry epinephrine in case of an emergency?
No. SJCA does not carry a stocked supply of epinephrine. A parent must bring in a supply of epinephrine with a signed Parental Authorization for Administration of Medicine (PAAM) form and a completed signed Medical Management Plan (MMP) / Emergency Action Plan (EAP) form from an approved State of Florida Healthcare Provider.
Immunizations
Is my scholar required to have immunizations before entering school? If so, what proof is required?
Yes. Children in Florida are required to be immunized before attending public or private school (grades Kindergarten through 12). Every child must have a completed Florida Certification of Immunization (Form DH 680) on file with the school prior to admittance. This form documents that the scholar has met the minimum immunization requirements established by the State of Florida. The DH 680 must be submitted prior to school entry and kept current. Scholars without a valid certification on file may not be permitted to attend school, as required by state law.
Are Medical or Religious exemptions allowed?
Yes. Please refer to the Florida Health Department website for additional information.
My scholar has all his/her immunizations, but we are new residents of Florida. Will the school accept my previous state’s shot records?
No. All shot records must be transferred to the Florida Certification of Immunization form (Form DH 680). Please visit your local physician or your County Health Department for assistance.
Emergency Medications at School
What are emergency medications?
Emergency medications are used in the event of a life-threatening emergency and include Epi Pens, Rescue Inhalers, Glucagon, and Prescribed Pancreatic Enzyme Supplements. Florida state law states that students may possess and self-administer while at school if the appropriate medical forms are completed and on file with the school.
Do I need to do any special paperwork for my scholar’s emergency medication?
Yes. The proper paperwork will need to be completed. Students who wish to carry their emergency medication with them at school will be required to complete the Medical Management Plan (MMP) / Emergency Action Plan (EAP), Parental Authorization for Administration of Medicine (PAAM), and Medication Administration Record (MAR) forms. These forms can be found on the school website or requested from the school clinic. These forms must be completed and signed by an approved State of Florida Healthcare Provider.
If my scholar carries their emergency medication, should we keep extra in the clinic?
We strongly recommend sending a back-up to be kept in the clinic as well.
Whose signatures does St. Johns Classical Academy require for my scholar to carry emergency medication?
- Prescribing healthcare provider’s signature stating that your scholar is capable of carrying and self-administering the medication
- Parent/guardian’s signature giving permission for your scholar to carry the EpiPen or inhaler
- Scholar’s signature stating that they understand how to self-administer the medication
- School nurse’s signature that student correctly demonstrated proper use of their inhaler or EpiPen trainer
How do I know if my scholar needs an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) / Medical Action Plan (MMP)?
Any scholar with a serious, diagnosed medical condition that may be life-threatening (such as seizure disorder, diabetes, food/insect venom allergy or asthma) must have an Emergency Action Plan filed with the school clinic. These will be kept in the school clinic and in your student’s classroom for quick reference in case of emergency. We also recommend keeping one with your scholar’s emergency medication. Please have your physician fill it in completely and be sure to include a recent photograph. These must be signed by the prescribing physician. If you are not sure if your scholar needs an emergency action plan, please contact your physician or the school nurse.