Below please find a summary of health policies, procedures and programs for all students enrolled in the Fairfield school system. If you have concerns regarding this information, please contact the nurse at your child's school.

Administration of Medications to Students While in School
Medication shall only be administered in school when it is not possible to achieve the desired effects by home administration. Medication will be administered in school by the school nurse or in the absence of the nurse, by other qualified school personnel. Self administration of medications by students may be permitted when certain requirements are met.
The following requirements apply to all prescription and over-the-counter medications in school:
• Medical Authorization Written authorization from an authorized prescriber, i.e., the child's physician, dentist, Physician's Assistant, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, must be provided before the initial dose may be given.
• Parental Authorization Written authorization from the child's parent must be provided before the initial dose may be given.
• Packaging Prescription medications must be provided in pharmacy prepared container, which is properly labeled with the name of the child, drug; strength, dosage, frequency, authorized prescriber's name, and date of prescription. Over-the-counter medications must be in their original pharmacy container.
• Transporting All medications (except those approved by the school nurse for self administration by students) shall be delivered to the school by the parent or other responsible adult
• Emergency Medications If your child has a health condition requiring administration of emergency medications, such as a life-threatening allergy, you should contact your school nurse immediately so that the necessary authorizations and medication are available.
• Also Parents may come to school to administer medications to their child if needed. However, the above requirements must be met whenever medication is to be administered by the school nurse, other school personnel, or self-administered by the child.

Health Assessments (Physical Examinations)
All students registering for preschool programs and kindergarten in the spring must provide evidence of a completed health assessment before entrance into school in the fail. All other students new to Fairfield must - submit evidence of a health assessment prior to entering school. Health assessments for all preschool and kindergarten students must have been done on or after August 15th of the school year preceding entry into these grades. Health assessment required for initial enrollment of older students must have been done as recently as the last required health assessment for the student's grade level. The school nurse will inform you of the acceptable time frame for your child's health assessment.

Summary of School Health Policies and Programs
In addition to the above, all students must provide evidence of a completed health assessment in grade 6. You will be asked to submit these health assessments to the school during your child's sixth grade year. Ungraded students shall be required to have a health assessment when more than three years have elapsed since the student's last health assessment. Health assessments must be done by a physician, Physician's Assistant, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or registered nurse. We expect that you will utilize your family health care provider who knows your child best. It is important that parents participate in health assessments of their children. Health assessments may be provided in school for eligible students. The nurse in your child's school can be contacted for further information.

NOTE: Athletes must have a health assessment on record annually to try out or participate in interscholastic varsity, junior varsity and freshman sports programs. These health assessments must be done by your private health care provider (physician, Physician's Assistant, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or registered nurse).

Tuberculin Testing
Health assessments required for initial entrance into a Fairfield school shall include evidence of a Mantoux tuberculin skin test performed in the United States for students entering school in Fairfield from a country with a high prevalence of tuberculosis. Countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis include those identified as such by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The school nurse will inform you of the countries that are identified as high-prevalence countries.

Immunizations
State law requires that a complete immunization record must be presented before a child enters school. For all students, this record must show dates of adequate immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis (initial series plus booster given on or after the fourth birthday), and against measles, mumps, and rubella (a dose given on or after the first birthday).

Additionally, Children under age 5 must also show a record of adequate immunization against haemophilus influenza type b (BIB) (a dose given on or after the first birthday).

A second dose of measles vaccine is required for students who enter kindergarten on or after August 2000, and for students who are or have been in seventh grade after September 1992. Children born 1/1/94 or later must show a record of adequate immunization against hepatitis B (3 dose series).

Children born before 1/1/94 who are enrolled in grade 7 on or after August 2000 must show a record of at least one dose of hepatitis B vaccine. Children born before 1/1/94 who are or have been enrolled in grade 8 on or after August 2001 must show a record of adequate immunization against hepatitis B (3 dose series).

A record of adequate immunization against varicella (chicken pox) is required for all students born 1/1/97 or later, and for students born before 1/1/97 who are or have been enrolled in grade 7 on or after August 2000. Alternatively a written statement, signed and dated by a physician, Physician's Assistant, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, indicating that the student has had chicken pox, will be accepted.

No student will be permitted to enter the Fairfield schools until evidence of adequate immunization is provided. The dates of the child's immunizations are needed.

Under certain circumstances, proof of immunity based upon specific blood testing is acceptable in lieu of immunization. For further information, contact the school nurse.

Summary of Fairfield School Health Policies and Programs
Connecticut state statutes permit exemptions from receiving immunizations if vaccination is medically contraindicated and such contraindication is certified by a physician and is in accordance with the provisions of state law, or if immunization is contrary to. the religious beliefs of the child and there is parent/guardian statement to that effect. A written statement is needed. For further information, contact the school nurse.

Screening Programs
The following health screenings are provided in school:
• Vision Screening Grades Pre-K (four years and older) through 6
• Hearing Screening Grades Pre-K (four years and older) through 3, grades 5 and 8, and high risk students in other grades.
• Postural Screening Grades 5 through 8.
• Color Vision Screening Grade 1 and all new students in grades 2 through 8 who have no prior recorded findings.
• Pediculosis (Head Lice) as needed.

Dental Health Program
Teeth cleaning and topical fluoride treatments are provided in school by dental hygienists for all students meeting income guidelines whose parents request this service. Additionally, limited funding for eligible students who are Fairfield residents is available for care by participating dentists for problems such as cavities or tooth extractions.

Parents who wish to apply for their child to receive cleaning, fluoride or dentist services, should complete the dental clinic application, which is sent home each year.

Accidents and Illness
The school nurse is responsible for first aid emergency care i.e.the immediate and temporary care given to a student whose illness or injury occurs on the school premises during school hours or in school sponsored/supervised activities. Parents should consult their family physician for accidents or illnesses, which occur at home. When the student returns to school, please indicate the reason for absence in a note so that his/her health record may be updated. Parents are urged to report to the school nurse as soon as possible when their child has a communicable disease. Students are not to attend school when ill. It is recommended that a student remain home for 24 hours after his/her temperature has returned to normal (below 100°f) or for 2h hours after antibiotics are started for a communicable disease such as strep throat, conjunctivitus, impetigo, etc. Students with orthopedic injuries must see the nurse on entering school after the injury and must have a note form the doctor detailing the child’s activity limitations.

Students with Special Health Needs
Parents should notify the school nurse if a child has any medical problems, e.g., allergies, chronic illness, vision or hearing difficulties. The school nurse will work with the child's physician, parent, and other school personnel to meet special health needs in school so that the child may benefit fully from his or her educational program.

Communicable Diseases
Each case of any disease or condition below should be reported to the school nurse: Chickenpox, Impetigo, Pinkeye, Tetanus, Food Poisoning confirmed by a physician, Diphtheria, Influenza, Head Lice, Salmonella, Tuberculosis, Fifth Disease, Measles, Pneumonia, Scarlet Fever/Scarletina, Coxsackie Virus, German Measles, Meningitis, Poliomyelitis, Smallpox, Whooping Cough, Haemophilus influenza, Mononucleosis, Ringworm, Strep Throat, Vaccinia disease, Hepatitis, Mumps, Scabies, Shingles

If your child is suspected of having one of these diseases, your physician should be consulted immediately.

No Grace Period for New Students
Health assessments for new students must be submitted PRIOR to the student's entrance into school. There is no longer a 45 day grace period from the registration date. Details regarding this grace period are detailed on 1st page under Health Assessments.