Illness
To decrease the spread of illness among students, faculty and staff, we ask that you notify the school nurse and your division
administrative assistant if you have been diagnosed with a communicable disease such as chicken pox, the measles, influenza
(flu), strep throat, fifth disease, head lice, conjunctivitis(pink eye), etc. If necessary, a general memo will be posted
in the Health Services link under “Announcements, News & Events” notifying the Whitefield Academy community of a special
health condition/situation.
In addition, we request that you do not return to school until:
- You are fever–free (less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit) for 24 hours without the assistance of fever reducing medication
such as Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Acetaminophen, and Tylenol.
- You have been free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours and able to tolerate food and drink without the reoccurrence of
vomiting/diarrhea.
- You have been taking an antibiotic and fever-free for 24 hours, if being treated for strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink
eye), or any other contagious illness.
It is the policy of Health Services that ill students, faculty, and staff will be sent home if they have a fever of 100
degree Fahrenheit or higher, have vomited or have diarrhea. Students will be sent home for persistent nausea, headache,
or pain unrelieved by over- the-counter medications.
Infirmary/Clinic
Whitefield Academy has two infirmaries/clinics staffed by one registered nurse. The lower school infirmary is located in
the Lower School Administrative building. The MS/US infirmary/clinic is located in the MS Administrative building. Clinic
hours are 7:45am- 3 pm.
As it relates to the infirmary/clinic; the nurse dispenses medications, treats minor injuries and illnesses, coordinates
care for students with chronic health problems, participates in health and wellness education, maintains student health
records, and field trip 1st aid procedures.
Students/faculty/staff who sustain a minor injury are to be seen by the school nurse. The nurse will determine the response
to the injury. This includes, but is not limited to on-site treatment, contacting parents/guardians, and referral to a medical
provider or facility. If it is deemed a life threatening occurrence or injury, 911 will be called.
Annual Physicals and Health Forms
Each student who is enrolled at Whitefield Academy is required to have an annual physical examination, preferably obtained
between April 1st and July 31st each year. We provide “Physical Day” opportunities on campus each spring in addition to
the off campus Physical Day held at Kennesaw State University each April. In compliance with GHSA guidelines, students’
grades 6 – 12 must also have the GHSA Clearance form completed by a physician. Please mail or drop forms off forms to the
Mindi Ashburn, Assistant to the Headmaster, Administrative Building, 1 Whitefield Drive, Mableton, GA 30126.
Each year
parents/guardians are to complete the following forms:
- GHSA History Form
- Permission For Emergency Treatment Form
- Participant Release and Waiver Form
- Emergency Contacts Form (LS student only)
Each year your
physician is to complete the following item/s:
- GHSA Physical Form (6th-12th)
- GHSA Clearance Form (6th -12th)
- LS Physical Form (Pre-K-5th)
State of Georgia forms to be filled as indicated in parenthesis.
- State of Georgia #3231 Immunization Form ( New students, Pre-K, K, & 6th)
- Georgia Certificate of Ear, Eye, and Dental Examinations Form # 3300 (Pre-K)
These forms are available under the
US Forms,
MS Forms, or
LS Forms tabs.
Immunizations
In compliance with the State of Georgia Health Department, all students must have a Georgia Certificate of Immunization
Form #3231on file with the student’s other health records.
In compliance with the State of Georgia Health Department, prior to attending 6th grade, students must have documentation
of a second MMR and a second Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine or documentation of disease. All students who obtain booster
immunizations during the school year should submit Georgia Certificate Supplemental Vaccine Form # 3189.
If you choose not to immunize your student, a notarized statement for religious exemption or a notarized medical exemption
from your physician must be on file with the student’s other health records.
In compliance with the State of Georgia Health Department, all Pre-K students must have a Georgia Certificate of Ear, Eye,
and Dental Examinations Form # 3300 on file with the student’s other health records.
All State of Georgia forms are available from your physician/health department.
Medication at School Guidelines
When possible, parents are encouraged to administer any necessary medication at home. Students are NOT permitted to have
medicine in their possession on campus. The exception to this rule is MS and US students may carry inhalers, Epi Pens, diabetic
supplies, eye drops, and cough drops on their person, in their back pack or in their locker. Additional exceptions may be
made at the discretion of the school nurse.
In order to safely administer medications during school hours, the following are required:
- The Authorization to Give Medication at School Form must be completed and accompany the medicine.
- Any student that must take prescription medication in the course of the school day must keep the medication in the infirmary/clinic.
- All medication must be brought in by the parent in the original container (no baggies, envelopes, or foil), labeled with
the student’s name and directions for administration.
- When filling a prescription, ask the pharmacist for a “school bottle”. Please do this for all medications that are to
be administered at school, even short term antibiotics. Medication will not be administered from an envelope, baggie, or
foil wrap.
Life Threatening Food/Insect Allergies
The following guidelines are set forth by the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology. These recommendations are for
handling food/Insect reactions in the school setting.
Any student who has been diagnosed with life-threatening food/insect allergy which requires a prescription for an Epi Pen
must abide by the following directives. These steps have been implemented to ensure the health, safety, and well being of
the student while they are entrusted in our care.
Parent Responsibilities
- Parent/guardian is responsible for providing a specific care plan (Food/Insect Allergy Action Plan) to the School Nurse
before the beginning of each school year. A physician signature is required. The original will be kept with the student’s
health file. For LS students, the teacher will receive a copy. In the MS & US, the Advisor will receive a copy. A link
is provided on this website for a Food/Insect Allergy Action Plan Form. You may also obtain one from your physician.
- Parent/guardian is to provide an Epi Pen to the school nurse. The Epi Pen must be in the original box, labeled by the
pharmacist. The clear case must be labeled with a black sharpie. For LS students, the Epi Pen in the clear, labeled case
will be kept in the classroom RED bag. The RED bag is taken to all specials, lunch, recess, and field trips by the Teaching
Assistant. If the student attends Club Cub, or an after school program, an additional Epi Pen (following the above guidelines),
must be given to the director of that activity – Club Cub or the after school activity. If a student attends both Club Cub
and an after school activity, only 1 additional Epi Pen is necessary. It is to follow the student from Club Cub, to the
activity and back to Club Cub where it will remain throughout the school year unless otherwise specified by the parent/guardian.
- MS & US students must carry their Epi Pen with them at all times. It may be carried on their person in a purse or in a
pocket, or it may be carried in a backpack. The clear case must be labeled with a black sharpie for easy identification
in the event it is misplaced. It is the responsibility of the parent and student to label the Epi Pen. For obvious safety
reasons, it is imperative the location where the Epi Pen will be kept during school hours is clearly written on the Permission
for Emergency Treatment Form. In addition, any student requiring an Epi Pen will carry their Epi Pen with them to lunch,
PE, and any after school activity. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the coach/teacher/adult in charge of
the afterschool activity of the location of the Epi Pen.
Life Threatening Food/Insect Allergies
Whitefield Academy Faculty/Staff Responsibilities
- All faculty are annually serviced on the signs and symptoms of anaphylactic reaction and the proper administration of
an Epi Pen
- LS teaching assistants are responsible for maintaining/transporting the RED Bag containing the Epi Pen, checking the expiration
date.
- LS Only: Peanut–free areas are reserved in the cafeteria. These surfaces are wiped down by the teaching assistants prior
to the students sitting down for lunch.
- Antiseptic wipes/hand cleaner are located in the cafeteria so that teaching assistants may aid students in cleaning their
hands before and after they eat. There are bathrooms with sinks and soap within the cafeteria as well.
- If an allergic reaction is suspected, the nurse will be summoned to the location of the student.
- If an Epi –Pen is administered, 911 and the parent are always notified.
Asthma
The following guidelines are set forth by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the National Asthma Education
and Prevention Program. These recommendations are for handling asthma attacks in the school setting. Any student who has
been diagnosed with life-threatening asthma which requires a prescription for an inhaler and/or a nebulizer must abide by
the following directives. These steps have been implemented to ensure the health, safety, and well being of the student
while they are entrusted in our care.
Parent Responsibilities
- Parent/guardian is responsible for providing a specific care plan (Asthma Allergy Action Plan) to the School Nurse before
the beginning of each school year. A physician signature is required. The original will be kept with the student’s health
file. For LS students, the teacher will receive a copy. In the MS & US, the Advisor will receive a copy. A link is provided
on this website for a Asthma Action Plan Form. You may also obtain one from your physician.
- Parent/guardian is to provide an inhaler and/or a nebulizer to the school nurse. The inhaler/nebulizer must be in the
original box, labeled by the pharmacist. The inhaler must be labeled with a black sharpie. For LS students, the inhaler
will be kept in the classroom RED bag. The RED bag is taken to all specials, lunch, recess, and field trips by the Teaching
Assistant. If the student attends Club Cub, or an after school program, an additional inhaler (following the above guidelines),
must be given to the director of that activity – Club Cub or the after school activity. If a student attends both Club Cub
and an after school activity, only 1 additional inhaler is necessary. It is to follow the student from Club Cub, to the
activity and back to Club Cub where it will remain throughout the school year unless otherwise specified by the parent/guardian.
- MS & US students must carry their inhaler with them at all times. It may be carried on their person in a purse or in a
pocket, or it may be carried in a backpack. The inhaler must be labeled with a black sharpie for easy identification in
the event it is misplaced. It is the responsibility of the parent and student to label the inhaler and/or the nebulizer.
For obvious safety reasons, it is imperative the location where the inhaler will be kept during school hours is clearly
written on the Permission for Emergency Treatment Form. In addition, any student requiring an inhaler will carry
their inhaler with them to lunch, PE, and any after school activity. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the
coach/teacher/adult in charge of the afterschool activity of the location of the inhaler.
Whitefield Academy Faculty/Staff Responsibilities
- All faculty are annually serviced on the signs and symptoms of asthma and acute asthma attack and proper administration
of an inhaler.
- LS teaching assistants are responsible for maintaining/transporting the RED Bag containing the inhaler and medication,
checking the expiration date.
- If the condition necessitates the use of a nebulizer, the parent will bring the labeled nebulizer to the clinic. After
administration of the medication, the mask will be rinsed with warm water and left to dry before returning to case.
- If the nebulizer is to be returned home after school each day, it is the responsibility of the parent to return it to
the clinic each day.
- Staff shall notify parent/guardian if the medication needs refilling.
Care Plan Links
