Health & Wellness

Allergies and Asthma
The school recognizes the importance of developing a cooperative plan of care for students with allergies and asthma, as allergic and asthmatic reactions can occur rapidly. If a student has asthma or a potentially life-threatening allergy to bee stings or to foods (such as nuts), it is vital that the parents supply the School Nurse, in advance, with the appropriate medications and instructions from the doctor.

Students are required to take all prescribed medication on all school-sponsored trips. If unsure, please check with School Nurse before the  trip. 

Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is a “nut-aware” campus—not a “nut-free” campus. Prior to the first day of school, the School Nurse will schedule a meeting with all student with severe anaphylactic food allergies, such as peanut and/or tree nut allergies. The purpose of this meeting is to gather information, develop a plan, demonstrate EpiPens® usage, and acquaint students with the school’s policies and procedures regarding severe food allergies.

Annually, all teachers receive training in prevention, recognition, and management of exposure to allergens that may cause a life-threatening reaction, and how to administer an EpiPen®.

Prescription Medication Policy and Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan
If the student has any type of allergy that could require an epinephrine auto-injector, complete the Prescription Medication Authorization Form and Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan. Also, add the name of medication to the section "Medications," in the Vital Health Record. For referral, please view the Prescription Medication Policy: Prescription Medication Policy

Field Trips

The Health Office provides a First Aid backpack to the teacher when students attend any school-sponsored trip. In the event of an emergency, a copy of each student’s health and emergency contact information is given to the faculty moderators.

Prior to departure on any school-sponsored trip, arrangements can be made with the Health Office to have a student’s required medication (such as asthma inhalers, EpiPens®) available during the trip.

More Information:
Patients Information - Allergy & Asthma Network
Meal Accommodations
How to use the EpiPen® Auto-Injector
How to use the Auvi Q 

The procedure for making such decisions at Flintridge Sacred Heart is as follows:
 
The Athletic Director, Athletic Trainer, and School Nurse will check the air quality based on AQMD estimates, hourly readings for area 8, and hourly weather reports, and other sources. The Athletic Trainer makes the final decisions for their constituencies.
 
On days when there are morning or afternoon athletic practices scheduled and the air quality or temperature is in question, the athletic director sets a time in advance of each practice when he will decide if practice is on or off; this information will then be communicated to students and posted on the website. Individual coaches do not make the decision for their respective teams. 
 
Decisions about physical education classes are made by the athletic director and the school director with consideration given to indoor alternatives.
 
Each school director will make the decision for his or her division regarding lunch, recess times, and other division specific events, based on information from the director of health services, the age of the students in their care, and the nature of the outside activity.

Outdoor activities will be governed by AQI levels using the tables below. 


During fires, AQI may not reflect the latest smoke conditions. When air is smoky or ash is visible, avoid or limit outdoor activities. Smoke contains particulates (particle pollution in the air) and chemicals that are harmful to breathing and respiratory health.



*Watch for Symptoms 

Air pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and trigger attacks. Symptoms of asthma include:

• coughing 
• wheezing 
• shortness of breath 
• difficulty breathing
• chest tightness  

Even students who do not have asthma could experience these symptoms.

If symptoms occur, the student should: 

• take a break 
• do a less intense activity, 
• may need to stop all activity
• go indoors 
• use a rescue inhaler as prescribed
• If symptoms do not improve, call the School Nurse.

Additional resources from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools are available here.

There are six automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on campus 

• High School Front Office
• SAC outside of Athletic Training room
• Administration Building: Lobby
• Administration Building: Green Room
• Health Office
• Mozilo Family Center: Lobby

The school’s faculty and staff are trained in CPR and as AED responders through the American Heart Association.

California’s Education Code 49475 requires school coaches and athletic trainers to immediately remove from activity any student athlete who is suspected of having a concussion. A student may return to activity only after a medical professional trained in concussion diagnosis and management has given the okay.

California’s Concussion Safety Law —Assembly Bill 2127 mandates licensed health care providers to guide athletes through a graduated return to play (RTP) protocol before athletes can return to their respective sports.

If a student receives a head injury at school or during a practice or game, the school’s Athletic Trainer or School Nurse, evaluates the student for signs and symptoms of a concussion. Most head injuries are caused from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. A head injury always requires close monitoring by a responsible adult, and needs to be evaluated by an appropriate health care professional, such as a pediatrician, within 48 hours of return to school. A healthcare professional, trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, has a number of methods in which to assess the severity of a concussion.

In order to ensure the most rapid recovery, a concussed student needs to get plenty of rest (both physical and mental), stay hydrated, and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Concussion recovery is different for every student. Parents should consider keeping their student home from school for at least one day to promote mental rest. The student’s brain may not be able to operate at its highest capacity in terms of processing speed, memory formation, and memory recall. The cognitive overload can potentially slow recovery.

A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first—usually within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks)—can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of the child having long-term problems.

The parent/guardian is instructed to provide the Athletic Trainer with written medical clearance from the appropriate health care provider. Medical clearance is for return-to-school only and NOT for return-to-play. Written documentation or instructions from a local emergency room or urgent care facility does not substitute for written medical clearance by their pediatrician or health care provider. At any point should the student need modifications to the school day, we ask that the pediatrician or health care provider complete and return the Concussion Form to the Athletic Trainer. The Athletic Trainer and if necessary, Learning Resources Specialist then notifies the teachers and coaches of these modifications to the school day.

The parent/guardian is instructed to provide the Athletic Trainer with final medical clearance from the pediatrician or health care provider when the student is ready to participate in full academic and athletic activities.

More Important Information:
Parent - Head Injury Notification
Concussion Form
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) 
CIF Concussion Return to Learn (RTL) Protocol
CIF Concussion Return to Play (RTP) Protocol

• Keeping the virus from coming onto campus.
• Decreasing the transmission of the virus on campus.
• Making sure we can test, trace, and isolate.

• Wash your hands often.
• Avoid close contact.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Clean and disinfect.
• Monitor your health
• Learn how to protect yourself from COVID-19

Handwashing

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together for 30 seconds and until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Social distancing, also called physical distancing, means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home.
• Limiting face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• Social distancing is especially important for people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• To practice social or physical distancing stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms' length) from other people.

• Reach above the nose, below the chin, and completely cover the mouth and nostrils;
• Fit snugly against the sides of the face;
• Be made of three layers of fabric that you can still breathe through; and
• Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damaging the material or shape. Try creating a cloth face covering using bandanas, ski masks, washable napkins, or dish towels.

• Stay home if possible
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Take everyday preventive actions: wash hands often and avoid touching face, nose, and eyes
• Have over-the-counter medicines, medical supplies (like tissues), and extra necessary prescriptions
• Have extra household items and groceries on hand
• Make a plan for what to do if they get sick
• Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often
• Consult with their healthcare provider if they have symptoms of COVID-19

• Learn the common signs of stress.
• Make time to unwind and do activities you enjoy.
• Talk with family and friends by phone, text, or email.
• If you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed, get support 24/7 by calling 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

• Excessive worry or sadness
• Unhealthy sleeping or eating habits
• Difficulty with attention and concentration

• A household member, intimate contact, or caregiver,
• An individual who was within 6 feet of the patient for accumulative 15 minutes over 24hrs.
• An individual who had unprotected contact with the patient's body fluids and/or secretions, for example, being coughed or sneezed on, sharing utensils or saliva, or providing care without wearing appropriate protective equipment.
• *A patient with presumed or confirmed COVID-19 is considered to be infectious from 48 hours before their symptoms started until their isolation period ends (see When is someone infectious ). Asymptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection are considered to be infectious from 48 hours before their test was taken until 10 days after their test was taken.

• Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing. Use this temperature log to monitor your temperature.
• Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school.
• Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares.
• Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).

• Sit about 25 inches (arm's length) from the computer screen. Position the screen so you are gazing slightly downward.
• Reduce screen glare by using a matte screen filter if needed.
• Take regular breaks using the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• When your eyes feel dry, use artificial tears to refresh them.
• Adjust your room lighting and try increasing the contrast on your screen to reduce eye strain.
• If you wear contact lenses, give your eyes a break by wearing your glasses.

• Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands
• Touch a contaminated surface or objects
• Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and then touch other people’s hands or common objects

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

• After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/screens, etc.
• Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because that’s how germs enter our bodies.

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

We recognize the difficulty in determining whether students should attend school when flu or cold symptoms first appear. We also understand the greater challenge of determining when students are ready to return to school after an illness. 

We ask that parents remember to follow the school’s illness policy when they have a sick student.

Fever Policy
If students have a fever during the day, the next day they cannot attend school. No exceptions. Students will be allowed to return to school once they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the assistance of a fever-reducing medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.). If students take fever-reducing medication, it’s impossible to know whether or not the student has been fever-free for at least 24 hours. 

If a student is not feeling well at school, presents at the Health Office, and has received fever-reducing medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.) in the morning before coming to school, we will assume the student has a fever and therefore needs to return home.

If a student is not feeling well and has a temperature of 99.5° F or less, we will keep the student under observation. If the student does not improve after drinking water and resting, or the temperature increases to 100° F or higher, the parent will be called to pick up the student.

For a day-time temperature of 100° F or higher, the student will need to be picked up. A student with a temperature greater than 100° F is considered contagious and should not attend school. Parents must have a plan, at all times, for picking up their daughter when ill.

Standard of Care
Students should be well enough to attend school without any acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) or other NSAID in the morning (except if needed for muscular-skeletal pain, menstrual cramps, or known, previously diagnosed migraine headache, or if prescribed by a doctor).  

To avoid a headache and the need for pain-reducing medication during the school day, don’t skip breakfast. If students are not hungry in the morning, they should bring a snack to school to eat when they arrive at school and/or during a break. The snack should contain some type of protein to help maintain energy until lunchtime and to prevent headaches. Stay hydrated. Drink enough liquids (water is always best) in the morning with breakfast and throughout the day. Hydrate well before and after exercise. Aim for 6-8 glasses of water per day.

If students have a mild cold and no fever, they should be well enough to participate in physical activities at school—if they are not well enough to participate in PE, they should not be at school, OR they should have a medical note from a doctor excusing them from sports.

If students who have a cold with excessive coughing, runny nose, and/or thickened nasal secretions they are most likely still contagious, even when taking over-the-counter cold and cough medication to relieve symptoms.

Students with these symptoms should be given the extra time to rest at home and recuperate.

If students vomit or have diarrhea, they must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Please remember to report your student's illness to the attendance office at attendance@fsha.org or call (626) 685-8310

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and the California Department of Health Services Immunization Branch require that an up-to-date immunization record for all students be included in the student’s health record before the student's first day of school. 

California schools are required to check immunization records before entry for all NEW students admitted to kindergarten through 12th grade and for all CURRENT students advancing to 7th grade. The following immunizations are required for school entry:

4 Polio          5 DTaP          3 Hep B          2 MMR          2 Varicella

1 Tdap (7th Grade Advancement): This is a required immunization for all seventh-grade students. The Tdap vaccine must be given on or after the student’s 7th birthday.

How to Submit an Immunization Record: You may submit a completed or updated immunization record using any one of these formats: Physician Immunization Record, California Immunization Record "yellow card," and/or Report of Health Examination Form. 

Medical Exemptions:

• Medical exemptions for new students can only be signed by a California-licensed MD/DO;
• Medical exemptions to include the following information: (1) the specific nature of the physical condition or medical circumstance for which the licensed physician does not recommend immunization; (2) a confirmation that the physical condition or medical circumstance is permanent; and (3) each specific required immunization from which the pupil is permanently exempt; and
• Each temporary medical exemption to be issued for no more than 12 months. 
• IMPORTANT UPDATE: Starting in January 2021, all medical exemptions must be submitted electronically into the California Registry (CAIR) utilizing a standard form.

Shots for Schools

What is influenza (flu)?
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Flu Symptoms
Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• vomiting and diarrhea is more common in children than adults
• It’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever.

How the Flu Spreads Person to Person
People with the flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Most experts think that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Period of Contagiousness

• People with the flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins.  
• Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
• Children and some people with weakened immune systems may pass the virus for longer than 7 days.

Symptoms can begin about 2 days (but can range from 1 to 4 days)  after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those people may still spread the virus to others.

Students who become ill or injured during the school day should go to the Health Office. 

If a student is recovering from an illness or injury and needs to be excused from P.E., a written note from a parent and/or primary care physician  is required. If a student will not be participating in P.E. for more than five days, a physician’s note will be required and should be given to the Health Office indicating the length of time to be missed.

In the event of a prolonged illness, injury, or surgery, please notify the Health Office upon the student’s return to school.

Insurance for accidental student injury
The school carries student accident insurance for on-campus and school-sponsored activities. Accidents are reported to the Health Office. The Health Office can assist parents with questions and with filing the necessary paperwork, which is available from the Health Office.

Any student with head lice may return to school after treatment has been completed and the student is free of lice and nits. The School Nurse is responsible for checking the student back into class.

How to Perform a Head Check for Head Lice

Secure web-based system: Magnus Health is a secure web-based system that provides continuous access to a student’s health records, and parents are able to make updates as needed. In the event of an accident or illness involving a student, appropriate First Aid measures are taken, and Magnus Health Student Medical Record (SMR) is accessed for emergency contact information, health history, and authorization to treat. 

First day of school: In order for a student to attend the first day of school, the parent must complete all requirements in Magnus Health.

24/7 access to Magnus Health: You will need to login to Tolognet with your username and password, click on the Resources tab, and then click on the Magnus Health tile, which takes you to the Magnus Front Desk. From there, you will need to select Complete Now to enter your daughter’s health tracker. You will see a list of requirements with action items next to the name of each requirement.

Update anytime: Should your daughter’s information change during the year, you can make updates to your child's Student Medical Record (SMR) at any time.

Magnus Health Customer Support: Magnus Health customer support is available by phone at 877-461-6831 or by email should you have any technical issues. If you have questions, please contact Marcy Kwitny, RN by phone at 626-396-6391 or by email (need link).

Magnus Health Requirements:

Conditional Questions: Parent/guardian answers a few YES/NO questions related to daily medication, serious allergies, asthma, seizures, and diabetes and are then prompted to complete requirements if answering YES.  

Vital Health Record (VHR)

• The parent/guardian completes the health history with emergency contacts, insurance, healthcare providers, allergies, medications, and medical history.
• For returning families, the  information entered from the previous year will be visible. Any changes to the health history should be made prior to the start of the school year, and as needed, during the course of the school year. If no changes are needed, or after changes are made, each section must be saved to complete the requirement and to submit for approval.
• Please note: If your daughter  takes daily medication or medication as needed, please be sure the medication section has the most up-to-date medication information. 

Annual doctor forms: print and sign forms that require a physician signature and annual renewal:

• Physical Exam Form: students are required to have an annual physical exam with their physician in order to attend school, Outdoor Education, class trips, athletic practices and games, physical education, dance, and any other school-related activity at school.The physician must complete and sign the document.
• Prescription medication form: The parent/guardian and physician must complete and sign the document giving consent for the school’s registered nurse or designated school personnel to give prescription medication to the student during school or during overnight school trips. The form must include the name of the medication, dosage, time schedule, duration, and reason for giving the medication. A new form is required at the start of each new school year and when changes have been made to the original prescription or when additional medication has been prescribed.
• Action plans: The parent/guardian and physician must complete and sign the document when the student requires an auto-injectable epinephrine for food and/or non-food allergies, or when the student is being treated for diabetes or a seizure disorder.
• OTC form: the over -the-counter medication form to be completed and signed by both parent/guardian and primary care physician
• Submitting forms: Submit all required forms via scan to healthforms@fsha.org. 

Tolognet  vs. Magnus Mobile App: Please be aware that when you create a login on the Magnus Mobile App, you will need to hover over your name on Tolognet to create a username and password for the mobile app.

Helpful Links:
Getting started video
How do I upload a form to a requirement
How do I copy information from one daughter to the next
Electronically signed documents
Magnus PHR App

Magnus Health Forms:
Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan
Diabetes Medical Management Plan
Physician Consent Form
Prescription Medication Authorization Form
Report of Health Examination
Seizure Action Plan
Student Immunization Record

Over-the-counter (non-prescription) medication
The Health Office stocks a few over-the-counter medications such as adult and child-strength Acetaminophen (Tylenol), adult and child-strength Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), Claritin, Benadryl, and Tums. Parents may supply the Health Office with additional over-the-counter medication if needed; it must be non-expired and in its original packaging. Parents should be proactive if they anticipate that their student will require an occasional mild pain reliever, antihistamine, or antacid.

Prescription medication
All prescription medication, except for inhalers, must be delivered to the Health Office and must be non-expired and in the original container/packaging with the pharmacy label (student’s name, medication name, dosage, and times to be dispensed). When filling the student’s prescription, parents can ask the pharmacy to split the prescription in a bottle labeled properly for school and another bottle labeled properly for home. We cannot accept unidentified medication stored in hand-labeled plastic bags or containers.

Arrangements should be made to pick up all medication stored in the Health Office before the start of the summer vacation.

Prescription Medication Policy
The student may not self-administer or carry on her person any prescription or non-prescription medication during school or during overnight school trips. The only exceptions are a student in need of an inhaled asthma medication, auto-injectable epinephrine, or diabetes medication.

The parent, physician, and student must complete and sign the Prescription Medication Authorization Form. All parties must agree to follow the school’s procedures concerning the handling and self-administration of such medication.

Overnight School Trips
If the student requires prescription medication on the trip and parent/guardian has not previously submitted the Prescription Medication Authorization Form to Magnus Health SMR, the parent/guardian should submit a form with the updated medication to Magnus Health SMR two weeks prior to trip departure.

Over-the-counter and prescription medication should be given to the Health office one week prior to trip departure, so the Health Office has time to prepare for the trip. The chaperone will return the medication to the student at the end of the trip.

The student must notify the lead chaperone that they are carrying authorized prescription medication on their person during the trip.

The school carries student accident insurance for on-campus and school-sponsored activities. Accidents are reported to the School Nurse and she can assist parents with questions and with filing the necessary paperwork.

The first advising assembly is designed to start the year off right. Freshmen are introduced to advising at Flintridge Sacred Heart, review the sexual harassment reporting protocol, and explore learning styles within breakout groups. Sophomores participate in a student-led panel discussion on what to expect from tenth grade. They are then each paired with a junior to for one-on-one discussions about tenth grade.

Sophomores are invited to discover and practice a series of stress and anxiety reducing exercises during a workshop led by guest speaker Judith Sekler.

Dr. Ani Katchadorian presents freshmen and sophomores with creative strategies to manage test anxiety. In separate breakout sessions, freshmen learn about the PSAT while sophomores learn about the pre-ACT.