Introduction

High school years (14-19) can be a turbulent time for both teens and their parents. Growth and developmental changes are taking place. Teens undergo physical and sexual maturity.

Mentally, teens focus on the present and still have difficulty understanding long-term consequences of behavior. They are developing abstract thought and logic and become introspective as they develop their own set of values.

Socially/emotionally teens seek relationships with the opposite sex and their friends. They are exceedingly concerned with their physical appearance. Teens may experiment with body art and body piercing. Appetite varies as a result of the teen's growth rate. Food fads are common. Peer approval may dictate eating patterns and extremes in dietary intake and/or restrictions. Malnutrition or obesity may develop.

While teens long for independence, they still desire dependence. Teens are on their way to developing their own identity and while doing so may challenge their parents or other authorities.

As the circle of acquaintances and friends expands, teens encounter new individuals with a variety of ideals and standards. Entertainment media supplies a continuous source of visual and written stimulation. It is imperative that parents reserve uninterrupted time to maintain a dialogue with their teen. Listening is a major part of communication.

Teens respond well to a parent's concern and seek guidance regarding underage drinking, drug /tobacco use, and sexual activity. Again, support and encourage your teen to avoid experimenting with these activities throughout their high school years. Research finds that children who avoid using alcohol and tobacco until their twenties can also avoid addiction to those substances. Those who abstain from sexual activity avoid sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy that will shape their futures. Given the chance, teens will respond positively to expectations of abstinence. Let your values be known.

Know your teens: who are their friends, where do they spend their time, what are they reading, what are they watching, who is giving them advice, what are their values and goals. An active teen with good friends and involved adult guidance can fill their high school years with many great memories and be prepared for a healthful future.

Contact the school nurse if your teen develops health concerns. Educational time can be lost or compromised if emotional or physical concerns are not addressed. Many times these concerns can be resolved once the reason is determined. Monitor grades and attendance. Changes, subtle or abrupt, in behavior that last more than a few days may be the only &qout;symptom&qout; you see.

Parents and their teens can benefit from the school nurses' resources. Take advantage of them; the sooner the better.

School Nurse

Communication is the key to keeping your child safe at school. Call you child's school and establish a connection with the school nurse. Some nurses serve more than one school so their schedules may vary. You may talk with your school nurse during school hours (7:30AM-3:30PM or 8:00AM-4PM). School Nurses

Health Problems

You may notify the school nurse. Depending on the health problem (asthma, seizures, diabetes etc.), the school nurse will ask you for further information. You may be asked to complete specific health problem care plans. It is very important to return this information in a timely fashion. Your health provider's signature may be required on these care plans. Keeping your school nurse informed and your child's health care needs updated will provide a healthful learning atmosphere.

Absences

Children should be kept at home if they have the following: fevers above 100°, vomiting and/or diarrhea, rash with fever, eye infections with eye discharge, communicable diseases (scabies, impetigo, ringworm, head lice~ until treated appropriately), any illness that prevents the child from participating comfortably in program activities or disrupts the other student's participation, and illness that results in a need for care that is greater than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.

Note: It is recommended that children be fever free for 24 hours without the use of anti-fever medications (Tylenol®, ibuprofen, etc.) before returning to school.

Illness Care

School nurses and the child's health care provider may furnish parents with up-to-date information about the general care of illness. Following FWCS Health Service recommendations and guidelines, parents can determine when additional care is indicated, when to keep the child home and when to contact their health care provider. (Infectious Disease Prevention and Care of Illness)

Immunizations

New Immunization Requirements

• Tdap - Tetanus and whooping cough vaccine.
• Menactra - Menigococcal vaccine.

Make sure that immunizations are complete and up to date. Chickenpox vaccination or verification of chickenpox disease must be on file for your child. Hepatitis B vaccine must be completed and on file. Contact your health care provider or school nurse for information.

Medical Resources

Health care can be accessed through your family health care provider. Additional resources can be discussed with your school nurse.

Medication

From time to time your child may be required to take medication during school hours. Parents, nurses and physicians are aware of the challenges that sometime occur when trying to balance learning, activities and medications. For this reason, we request that you discuss strategies with your health care provider in order to give medications at home. All prescription and/or over-the-counter medications must have a signed Authorization for Administration of Medications at School on file prior to administration. Over-the-counter medications such as cough drops, nasal sprays, cough and cold medications must meet the same requirements as for other medications. In addition to the required form, herbal supplements are considered as medications and need written instructions signed by a physician prior to administration. (Medication Forms)

Emergencies

Keeping the school and the nurse informed about changes in residence, telephone numbers (work and home), and emergency contacts is vital and the responsibility of the parent/guardian. We must be able to contact a parent/guardian or emergency contact during the school day. In case of an emergency involving your child, it is the policy of this school corporation to render first aid treatment while contacting the parents for further instructions. Only after reasonable efforts to reach the parents without success will we call a doctor and only in extreme cases will your child be taken to a hospital of 911 contacted.

Sports Health Information

A student participating in athletics must have a physical every year prior to try outs and practice. Some physicals are offered by the individual schools. Parents may have questions about sports and health concerns. Check with the athletic office or your school nurse for the physical forms and the scheduled dates.

'Sports Physical' - Preparticipation Physical Evaluation

Wrestling and Health.

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in Athletics

Transmission of MRSA among sports participants is a concern. Possible risk factors for infection include close physical contact, skin damage, and sharing of equipment or clothing. The risk for transmission of MRSA is much greater among sports participants than among students in a classroom. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published the following guidance for preventing staphylococcal skin infections in the sports setting:

• Cover all wounds. If a wound cannot be covered adequately, consider excluding players with potentially infectious skin lesions from practice or competitions until the lesions are healed or can be covered adequately.
• Encourage good hygiene, including showering and washing with soap after all practices and competitions.
• Ensure availability of adequate soap and hot water.
• Discourage sharing of towels and personal items, such as clothing or equipment.
• Encourage athletes to report skin lesions to coaches and encourage coaches to assess athletes regularly for skin infections.

MRSA Information for Students and Parents