School Health Policy
Introduction
Our School Health Policy provides a foundation for best practices and procedures. It is intended to inform, support and direct students, parents, and staff throughout the school system. It also reassures all constituencies that health protection measures are in place.
School Clinic
School clinic conducts annual physical examination of students in all levels. As a part of the annual physical examination of students, the school dentist conducts an oral examination. This is done to screen dental problems.
School doctor provides immunisation accordingto the programme of MOH and MOE. School physician provides consultation and gives available medication for symptomatic relief of student illness.
In case of illness or emergencies the school doctor conducts an initial assessment to evaluate the severity of the condition and whether it can be managed in the school clinic or referred to a specialist.
Based on the assessment of the school doctor or nurse, minor illnesses or injuries may be handled in the school clinic and would be treated appropriately.
Students who are too ill may be advised to go home. The clinic would inform the school’s division head of the clinic's recommendation. The student would also be given a medical prescription.
In case of major emergencies as fractures, lacerated wounds, eye injuries etc., the patient will be referred to Amman Surgical Hospital.
All students entering School must have their immunizations up to date and provide immunization records to the school upon enrollment.
· If a student has any special medical needs, these need to be addressed with the school. If the student has or needs a health or emergency care plan at school, school doctor or nurse must be informed.
· School doctor must be informed of any past sickness, operations, traumas or if the student has chronic illness as Diabetes, Epilepsy, Thalassemia , family history of Diabetes, Tuberculosis, Stroke, Hypertension, allergies or other illnesses.
The form below needs to be filled and submitted to the School:
Medical History (tick where necessary )
Chicken pox / Rheumatic Fever / AllergiesMeasles / Epilepsy / Asthma
Rubella / Diabetes / Hearing and Speech Problems
Mumps / Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection / Recurrent Otitis Media
Accidents ______surgeries ______Blood Group _____
Does Your child wear glasses? Yes No
Is your child on regular medication? If yes, what medication is he/she taking?
"Many of the things we need can wait. The children cannot…”
Gabriela Mistral
Infection Control Policy
In order to reduce and minimise the spread of illnesses in the School, the following regulations shall apply.
1. Please do not send your child to the School if they have:
• A fever
• A skin rash
• Vomiting (not to return to School for 24 hours after the last vomiting episode)
• Diarrhoea (not to return to School for 24 hours after the last diarrhoea episode)
• A persistent cough
• A heavy nasal discharge
• Red, watery and painful eyes
2. If they have an infected sore or wound, it must be covered by a well-sealed dressing or plaster.
3. If your child is assessed by the School Doctor and/or School Nurse, and deemed to be a possible source of infection to other students, you will be contacted to bring them home immediately.
Please inform the School if your child has been or is being treated for a medical condition.
I have read and understand the above Infection Control Policy.
Name of parent: ______
Signature ______Date ______
Does It Really Matter What We Eat?
Yes, it really does matter what you eat. Not only is a balanced diet necessary for our physical health, what we eat also plays an important role in brain functions such as memory, attention and concentration.
Diet and exercise patterns during childhood and adolescence may spell the difference between health and risk of disease in later years. Different stages of the life cycle dictate different nutrient needs. From 5 years to adolescence, there is a period of slow but steady growth.
Regular meals and healthy snack that include carbohydrate-rich foods, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs and nuts should contribute to proper growth and development.
Children need to drink plenty of fluids, especially if it is hot or they are physically active. Water is obviously a good source of fluid without calories. Variety is important in children's diet and other sources of fluid such as milk and milk drinks, fruit juices and soft drinks can also be chosen to provide needed fluids.
The nutritional requirements of young people are influenced primarily by the spurt of growth that occurs at puberty. During this time, a number of physiological changes occur that affect nutritional needs, including rapid growth, and considerable gains in bone and muscle (especially in boys).The peak of growth is generally between 11 and 15 years for girls and 13 and 16 years for boys.
Ideally, foods in the diet should be rich in energy and nutrients. Other important habits to follow during adolescence include:
*drink 6 to8 glasses of fluid a day
*eat regular meals including breakfast, as it can provide essential nutrients and improve concentration in the mornings.
Choose a fortified breakfast cereal with semi-skimmed milk and glass of fruit juice.
*Take regular exercise, which is important for overall fitness and cardiovascular health, as well as bone development.
*Maintain a healthy weight.
PERSONAL HYGIENE - TAKING CARE OF YOUR BODY
Keeping your body clean is an important partof keeping you healthy and helping you tofeel good about yourself.
Caring about the way you look is important to your self-esteem ( what you think about yourself).You don't need to wear the latest designer clothes to look good. There are other things you can dowhich are much more important for your "image".
Ø Smelling clean
Have you ever walked into a classroom full of kids when all the windows are closed? According to the experts,young kids can sweat but they don't start to havebody odour until they reach puberty. So what is the smell that is coming from the little kids?
Ø Clothes
Clothes can get stained, dirty and generally grabby, so you need to change them often.
Underclothes are right next to your skin and collect dead skin cells, sweat and possibly other unmentionable stains. Overnight bacteria starts to work over these stains, so your clothes do not smell as nice on the second day of wearing. Change underclothes often.
Stay away from cigarette smoke as the smell will get to your clothes and hair. Ask your family not to smoke in the house or the car.
If you have to wear a school uniform then take it off as soon as you get home and hang it up by air before you wear it the next day.
Ø Shoes
You spend a lot of time on your feet and your shoes are very close to the place where a very large collection of sweat glands live- your feet. Sweat gets into your shoes and then bacteria arrive which loves the moist leather or fabric so much that they tell all their friends to come round and party.
If you have one pair of shoes for the school then try to get them off as soon as youget home, so they can air and dry out overnight. If you have more than one pair then use them on alternate days to give them abetter chanceof drying out. They will look better, last longer and be less likely to smell.
Ø Feet
Wash your feet well at least once a day. Dry them carefully especially between the toes. If you go swimming a lot or use public showers, you need to be particularly careful to wash your feet and dry them well. It is a good idea to wear thongs on your feet too. Lots of other people walk in bare feet in these places and you can easily pick up fungal infections or other problems for your feet.
Ø Using "smell nice" products
If you are a bigger kid you may want, or feel you need, to start using a deodorant or anti-per spirant under your armpits. Some people have problems with perfumes, which can be trigger for headaches, asthma or hay fever, so don't spray them around in the washroom or changeroom.
Remember: nothing smells better than clean skin. Perfumesare not a good substitute for a shower orwash.
Ø Hair
The hair follicles (which the hair grows from) produce oil which keeps the hair smooth. You also have sweat glandsin your scalp and dead cells comeoff the scalp. The oil, sweat and the dead cells all add together and can make hair greasy and look dirty unless you wash it regularly.
Ø Teeth
You should brush your teeth twice a day-after breakfast and beforeyou go to bed.
During the day fill your mouth with water and swish it around to to get rid of anything sticking to your teeth.
With a clean body, clean hair, clean clothes and shoes, you will feel good and your friends will be happy to be near you. Keep your fingernails and toenails short and clean too.
Prevention of Drug Abuse
· Drugs include tobacco, alcohol, illegal or unlawful drugs, and prescription drugs.
· Drug abuse does not exist in a vacuum but is a part of the young person’s whole life.
· Our educational program for the prevention of drug abuse includes adolescent development, stress and coping, sexuality, collaboration between home and school, and personal relationships.