Welcome Students, Parents &/or Guardians! It is our goal to work with you and our faculty to keep your student healthy and ready to learn. Listed below is general information regarding school health services:
In order to best meet the emotional and behavioral needs of our students, MOT Charter campuses have support staff which includes Nurse, Psychologist, Counselors and Special Education resources.
To reach our K-8 Academy Wellness Staff during their hours of 8:15 am to 3:30 pm:
• Phone: 302-376-5125 | Fax: 302-376-5120
• Email: beth.twitchell@mot.k12.de.us
Offices are located across the hall from the main office.
To reach our High School Wellness Staff during their hours of 7:15 am to 2:30 pm:
• Phone: 302-696-2000 | Fax: 302-696-2001
• Email: HSNursesMOT@mot.k12.de.us
Offices are located across the hall from the main office.
Health Policies
MEDICATION POLICIES
MOT Charter students are not permitted to take prescription or non-prescription medication of any kind in school unless administered by the nurse. Whenever possible, medication should be administered at home.
All medication is kept in the nurse’s office, guidelines regarding medication include:
• Medication must be brought to school and picked-up from school by a parent/guardian.
• Any medicine caught carried by a student, will be taken and kept at the nurse’s office until a parent or guardian comes to pick up.
• All prescription medication must be in the original container with pharmacy label attached. Prescription label will include the student's name; the licensed health care provider's name; the name of the medication; the dosage; how and when it is to be administered; the name and phone number of the pharmacy and the current date of the prescription.
Over-the-counter medications must be in their original container.
1. Name of medication
2. Amount of medication being sent to school (nurse will verify at school)
3. Dosage, time and reason for the medication.
Any student going home due to health issues determined by a school nurse evaluation, must be discharged from the nurse’s office directly to their parent/guardian. To help ensue privacy, all phone conversations related to student health issues are conducted on the phone in the nurse’s office. Use of a personal cell phone is in conflict with the code of conduct.
NEW STUDENTS
According to Delaware laws and the Department of Education regulations, all children (including but not limited to foreign exchange students, immigrants, students from other states/territories and children entering from non-public schools) entering Delaware public schools are required to have written documentation of the following:
• 5 or more doses of DtaP, DTP, or Td vaccine (unless 4th dose given after 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of IVP or OPV (unless 3rd dose was given after the 4th birthday)
• 2 doses of MMR vaccine administered after the age of 12 months
• 3 doses hepatitis B vaccine
• 2 doses of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or written documentation of the disease
• Physical Examination done within the past 2 years
• Tuberculosis – results of Mantoux screening completed within the last 12 months or written documentation from a physician or public health clinic stating that the child has a low risk factor
Lead Testing: State regulations require children who enter school at kindergarten or at age 5 or prior, to provide documentation of lead screening within sixty (60) calendar days of enrollment. Failure to provide the required documentation shall result in the child's exclusion from school until the documentation is provided.
Health Examinations: Children who are entering MOT Charter as a first time student (at any grade level) must also provide a copy of a current health examination prior to the first day of classes as required by state law. The following forms will be accepted:
• Delaware School Health Examination Forms - Children Grades PreK - 6
• Delaware School Health Examination Forms - Adolescent Grades 7 - 12
• DIAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation Form - Grades 7-12, or
• Health Examination or evaluation document from a physician's office on a form which includes, at a minimum: healthy history, immunizations, results of medical testing(s) and screenings, medical diagnose, prescribed medications and treatments, and healthcare plans.
SPECIAL HEALTH CONCERNS
NOTE: All students with asthma and/or allergies are recommended to have asthma (inhalers/nebulizers) and allergy (epi-pens) medications kept at school. Families are required to update Asthma, Allergy, and Seizure action plan information annually.
Student Health in the News: Concussions
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.
Health care professionals may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious.
Most people with a concussion recover quickly and fully. But for some people, symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children, and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion.
Symptoms of a Concussion
| Difficulty thinking clearly Headache Fuzzy or blurry vision Irritability Sleeping more than usual Feeling slowed down Nausea or vomiting (early on) Dizziness Sadness |
Sleep less than usual Difficulty concentrating Sensitivity to noise or light Balance problems More emotional Trouble falling asleep Difficulty remembering new information Feeling tired, having no energy Nervousness or anxiety |
Some of these symptoms may appear right away, while others may not be noticed for days or months after the injury, or until the person starts resuming their everyday life and more demands are placed upon them. Sometimes, people do not recognize or admit that they are having problems. Others may not understand why they are having problems and what their problems really are, which can make them nervous and upset.
The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be difficult to sort out. Early on, problems may be missed by the person with the concussion, family members, or doctors. People may look fine even though they are acting or feeling differently. Source www.cdc.gov/concussion
