Yoakum Junior High Handbook

Section V: School Services

Health Services
Guidance and Counseling
Library

1. Health Services

The school health program is governed by Texas laws and State Board of Education policy.

1. Emergency Care Policies

1. Emergency Care Forms are necessary for providing care for children who become ill or who are injured at school.
2. Parents should complete form in full—yearly.
3. Signature of parent or guardian on Emergency Care Form is required yearly.

2. Immunizations (shots)

No person may be admitted to any elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education unless he/she has been immunized against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, rebeola, rubella, mumps, Haemophilus influenza type B, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella, and polio myelitis except as provided in a.

1. No form of immunization is required for a person’s admission to any elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education when the person applying for admission submits to the admitting official either of the following:

   (1) An affidavit or certificate signed by a doctor who is duly registered and licensed under the Medical Practices Act of Texas, in which it is stated that, in the doctor’s opinion, the immunization required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the applicant or any member of his family or household unless a lifelong condition is specified. The affidavit or certificate must be renewed at the time for the exclusion to remain in effect.

   (2) An affidavit signed by the applicant or, if a minor, by his parent or guardian stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination of which the applicant is an adherent or member; provided however, that this exemption does not apply in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the Commission of Health.

2. A person may be provisionally admitted to an elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education if he has begun the required immunizations and if he continues to receive the necessary immunizations as rapidly as is medically possible. The State Dept. of Health shall promulgate rules and regulations relating to the provisional admission of persons to school. When a student transfers from one school or district to another, a copy of the immunization record and any measles or mumps illness statement from physicians, should be sent within thirty (30) days to the receiving school. A record received by mail from school officials of another district or state may be considered a validated record.
3. If records are not received within 30 days, students may be expelled from school.

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3. Guidelines for Dispensing Medication in School

If possible, medication should be given by the parent or guardian and taken at home. However, if the student needs to take his medication during school hours, the following guidelines are to be followed:

All medication will be turned in to the nurse’s office before the day begins.
Authorized District employees may administer prescription medication in accordance with legal requirements. District employees shall not dispense non-prescription medications to students unless written directions from the student’s parent or guardian are currently on file. All medications must be furnished for each student by the parent or guardian (on prescription drugs, with the student’s name and prescription as attached by the pharmacist).

An Emergency Care Form shall be furnished by the District to each student’s parent or guardian at the beginning of each school year (and upon entry by a student thereafter) completed, signed and promptly returned to the District for reference by the District’s medically authorized personnel during that year. Such form may be supplemented by written instruction during the year.

Only nurses, principals, teachers, counselors, secretaries, and aides may administer medication to students.

4. Bacterial Meningitis

What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious. Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of serious bacterial infection with the potential for serious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease, but requires urgent treatment with antibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.

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What are the symptoms?
Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but it can also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the same symptoms.
Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high temperature, vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or confusion. In both children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere on the body.
The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results.

How serious is Bacterial Meningitis?
If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery. In some cases it can be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability.

How is Bacterial Meningitis spread?
Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, but they do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as by kissing; sharing drinking containers, utensils or cigarettes).
The germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of the germ for days, weeks or even months. The bacteria rarely overcome the body’s immune system and cause meningitis or another serious illness.

5. Self-Administration of Asthma or Anaphylaxis Medicine Education Code 22.052 (a), (b)

A student with asthma or anaphylaxis may possess and self-administer prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medicine while on school property or at a school-related event or activity if:

1. The medicine has been prescribed for that student as indicated by the prescription label on the medicine;
2. The student has demonstrated to the student’s physician or other licensed health care provider and the school nurse, if available, the skill level necessary to self-administer the prescription medication, including the use of any device required to administer the medication;
3. The self-administration is done in compliance with the prescription or written instructions from the student’s physician or other licensed health care provider; and
4. A parent of the student provides to the school:
   1. Written authorization, signed by the parent, for the student to self-administer the prescription medicine while on school property or at a school-related event or activity; and
   2. A written statement, signed by the student’s physician or other licensed health care provider, that states:
      1. That the student has asthma or anaphylaxis and is capable of self- administering the medicine;
      2. The name and purpose of the medicine;
      3. The prescribed dosage for the medicine;
      4. The times at which or circumstances under which the medicine may be administered; and
      5. The period for which the medicine is prescribed.

   The physician’s statement must be kept on file in the school nurse’s office, or, if there is no school nurse, in the office of the principal of the school the student attends.

No Waiver of Immunity

The provisions above neither waive any liability or immunity nor create any liability for a cause of action against the District, the Board, or its employees.

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Guidelines adopted by the commissioner of health under authority of 25 TAC 97.5© (3)

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B. Guidance and Counseling

The Guidance Program has organized services and activities at Y.J.H.S. to help the student
• evaluate his abilities, achievements, aptitudes, interests, needs, and values
• become familiar with courses available to him
• make decisions about his junior high and high school program of studies
• plan for his future---whether for work or further education
• make the best adjustment to school situations, and think through his personal problems

1. Interview

A student may drop by the guidance and counseling office before or after school, between classes, or during a free period. He may come during a class period with his teacher’s consent. In order to be sure the counselor can spend the time with him which he needs, it is desirable for the student to make an appointment ahead of time. A student is encouraged to see his counselor as often as he feels it is necessary.

2. Conferences with Parents

The counselor is available for conferences with parents to:
• discuss the student’s progress in school and plans for the future
• furnish information about the school
• explore educational and occupational opportunities available to the student

3. Individual Personnel Folder

From the time a person enters school a personnel folder is kept about him for the confidential use of his counselor and teachers. This folder contains a record of his grades, attendance, activities, standardized test scores, and other notes on his progress. The counselor will discuss these materials with him in a private conference. Entries in a personnel folder are an important part of information sought from the school by employers, college admission directors or technical schools when a student graduates or leaves school.

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4. Special Activities
• Orientation from elementary to junior high school and from junior high to high school
• Scheduling for the coming year
• Special assistance to new pupils through an explanation of the school and its procedures and policies
• Special assistance to pupils who are withdrawing from school
• Administration of standardized tests to appraise ability, achievements and interests

5. Career Information

Frequently students think about their future and wonder what they might do after completing school. To provide information to such pupils, the guidance office has career information which describes many kinds of occupations. This information, along with counseling, helps a student do a better job of planning for the future.

6. The Counselor

The main job of the counselor is to provide counseling services to all students, whenever they desire. Counseling is not something that is done to a person or for a person, but is instead an opportunity for a person to do something for himself. No problem is too small. If it concerns a student, it’s important.
Students should feel free to make appointments with their counselor whenever they feel the need.

C. Library

The library is designed to support the curriculum of the school. The library is also designed to encourage reading and to provide materials for use in leisure time. Students should feel free to come into the library not only to work but to read and browse as well. Silence must be observed in the library at all times.

1. Library Hours and Use

1. Regular hours: 8:00 - 4:00
2. Reading classes will schedule visits to the library.

2. Circulation of Materials

1. Students may check out and return books any time during the regular library hours.
2. Books and magazines may be checked out for one week and rechecked for an additional two weeks. In case of a holiday, books are due the day after the holiday.
3. Most reference books and newspapers should be used in the library only unless arrangements are made. Some reference books may be checked out overnight after 3:00 p.m. They must be returned before 1st period the next day.
4. Fines for overdue books will be 5 cents per day and per week end. Fines for overnight reference books will be 5 cents per hour. Students who abuse the overnight reference privilege will forfeit that privilege.
5. Students who lose or damage library materials will be expected to pay for them.
   Names of students with overdue books and/or library fines will be sent to the reading teachers on a regular basis. A list of those delinquent at the end of the six weeks will be sent to all teachers.
6. Students must clear these delinquencies or they will not have the privilege of checking out library books.
7. Students checking out textbooks due to the no locker concept can only check them out for overnight use.

3. Library Behavior

1. Students should respect others while using the library and keep noise at minimum.
2. Chairs and tables should be straight and library materials returned to their designated places before students leave the library.

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