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School Health Program
Greenbrier Christian Academy recognizes that a student's health is directly related to his or her ability to learn. In order to keep our children healthy, safe and ready to learn, every student has access all day, every day to a school nurse. Our school nurses work closely with students, parents, staff and community resources to help keep students healthy and in the classroom, where learning takes place, and to meet their individual healthcare needs. Our nurse serve as the link between health care and education by addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and social health needs of students to support their educational success.
For minor health care needs, the school provides a clinic with a qualified clinician. Students experiencing illness will be admitted to the clinic for evaluation of their symptoms. Parents will be notified if the student is unable to remain in school and students will remain under the supervision of the clinician until the parent arrives to pick the student up.
Clinic visits must be quick and to the point in order to maintain the Administration’s common goal of keeping all students in class for the best results in their learning experience while here at GCA. While the medical reason the students visits the clinic during the school day will remain confidential, the nurse communicates regularly with each teacher regarding student visits and the amount of time spent in the clinic.
Health Screening Program
At the beginning of each school year, our school nurse conduct health screening. The State Code of Virginia mandates some of these screenings and the others are recommended by the Virginia School Health Guidelines.
VISION
- Students in 3rd, 7th, and 10th grade will be screened.
- The school has volunteer nurses who assist our school nurse with vision screening.
- If your child does not pass his/her vision screening an email will be sent to the email address provided upon enrollment. If you receive an email, please schedule a follow up appointment for a complete eye exam with a vision health care provider.
HEARING
- Upon request, the school nurse can perform basic hearing screening on students.
- If your child does not pass his/her hearing screening, an email will be sent to the email address provided upon enrollment. If you receive an email, please schedule a follow up appointment for a complete hearing exam with a health care provider.
SCOLIOSIS SCREENING
- The Code of Virginia mandates that each school board provide educational information or implement a program of regular screening for scoliosis for students in grades five through ten. (HB # 1834)
- GCA provides Scoliosis Information to all parents of students in grades 5-10. See clinic forms for more information on scoliosis.
Medical Care Plans
The following forms are available for download. Please work with your child's health care provider to complete this plan and return to the school nurse.
If your child has emergency medications prescribed such as inhalers/EpiPens/diabetic supplies, PLEASE make sure that you provide these to the nurse the first day of school or prior. The medication cannot be expired.
If your child's medical care provider allows them to carry their emergency medication with them, PLEASE make sure they have it with them on a daily basis.
Diabetes Medical Management Plan
Bee Stings/Bug Bites Action Plan
Head Lice
Head lice transmission can occur at home, school or in the community. Communication and proper management are the key components in dealing with an infestation and minimizing transmission to other students. These responsibilities are shared between home and school. We are here as a resource and can provide accurate information and help sift through misinformation.
Pediculosis (head lice) is a prevalent problem in school-aged children. Head lice are one of the most communicable conditions with an estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occurring every year. Head lice are not dangerous, they do not transmit disease and are not a public health issue. Head lice should not disrupt the educational process.
Helpful Information…
- Check your child’s head regularly as part of your routine hygiene – at least once a week.
- Watch for signs of head lice such as frequent head scratching especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
- Remind your children not to share personal items such as hats, helmets, combs, hair accessories, pillows.
- Hair styles that restrain hair, such as ponytails and braids, prevent spread.
- Head lice are mostly spread by direct head-to head contact.
What to look for…
- Find a comfortable area with good light.
- Look carefully throughout the entire scalp. Wearing magnifying / reading glasses helps.
- Lice are wingless insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are usually reddish brown in color. They move quickly and shy away from light. (This makes them more difficult to see.)
- The determination of head lice is more often made by seeing nits (eggs) than by finding crawling head lice.
- Nits are tiny, oval-shaped, and are usually beige or grayish white in color.
- Nits are attached to the hair shaft and do not wash or blow away.
If you find head lice…
- Please call us for advice.
- Contact your pediatrician for treatment recommendations.
- Follow directions very carefully and read all the warning labels
- Be aware that over-the-counter products do not kill 100% of the lice and nits.
- Combing and manual removal of lice are essential components to successfully removing ALL nits and lice from the head. This may take over several days to accomplish.
- Check all other members of the household. Only those with live lice or nits close to the scalp should be treated.
- Do not reapply treatment more frequently than recommended.
- Be aware that there are many websites that offer advice and products regarding head lice management. Your child’s pediatrician and school nurse are the best resources for information regarding head lice management.
- Contact us if you have any questions during the process
- The school nurse must assess your child after treatment. Guidance and further direction by the school nurse will help with successful eradication of the head lice infestation.
Environmental Issues:
- Machine wash in hot water and regular detergent all clothing and bed lines that have been in contact with the infected person or dry on the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.
- Items not washable such as toys, pillows etc. should be stored in a tightly sealed plastic bag for two weeks.
- Vacuum carpets, floors, upholstered furniture and the car.
- Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 20 minutes or replace them.
- Notify anyone with whom your child has been in close contact with so that they can monitor for evidence of head lice.
Heads Up on Lice: http://www.ongov.net/health/documents/scratch_fact_nurse_2010.pdf
Head Lice 101: https://www.sklice.com/pdfs/lice-lessons-lice101-what-you-should-know.pdf
Head Lice: http://www.headlice.org
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need additional information or support. Your partnership is appreciated as we navigate through this sometimes difficult and emotional issue.
General Resources
- USA Department of Argriculture:
- Healthy Smart Virginia:
- Bright Future:
- Attention Deficit Disorder:
- Autism:
- Heads Up to School Sports:
- Heads Up to Parents:
- American Diabetes Association:
- Asthma & Allergy Foundation:
- Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network:
- Virginia Department of Health:
- Center for Disease Control:
- Epilepsy Foundation:
- Lyme Disease:
- Poison Ivy:
- Sun Safety:
- Vaping:
If you would like to set up an appt to discuss any medical issues regarding your child, please email me with dates/times which are convenient for you. I will be available the week prior to the first day of school.Thank you in advance as you help me to prepare for a healthy, safe, and comfortable school year. Please don't hesitate to contact me throughout the school year to update me on any changes with your child or if I can be of any assistance with your child's health needs.