We will not have a nurse staffed at Loma Portal this year due to budget cutbacks.  A Health Assistant will be hired to work in the Health Office for 3-hours a day.  Office staff will address the needs of children when the Health Assistant is not on duty.

Frequently young children have “accidents” and they need dry underwear and clothing.  If you have any clean small-size children’s clothing you would like to donate, please send it to the Health Office.  Thank you.

Guidelines for Absences Due to Illness

• Children too ill to participate in normal school activities whether or not a fever is present should not attend school.
• When a child has had a temperature of 100 degrees they must remain at home a minimum of 24-hours fever-free.
• Students with persistent vomiting or diarrhea should not attend school until the symptoms have subsided for at least 24-hours.
• Strep throat is a contagious disease as is conjunctivitis.  See your doctor for diagnosis and appropriate medication.  Generally, doctors recommend returning to school after a 24-hour period on medication.
• Please make the school office aware of any other contagious diseases, such as chicken pox, measles and hepatitis, etc., so that we may alert other parents of possible warning signs.
• Children with a rash of undetermined origin should not attend school until the rash is gone or it has been determined by a physician to be non-contagious.
• Children who have undergone a medical procedure requiring general anesthesia should not attend school for at least 24-hours.
• Children should not attend school if they have live head lice (or pediculosis).  Parents must shampoo their child’s hair with a medicated lice shampoo; show proof of treatment (shampoo container) and remove nits before the child will be readmitted to the classroom.  Parents must accompany the child to school for a head check in the Health Office after treatment.

When a Child Becomes Ill or Injured at School

Parents will be notified and requested to pick up the student at the Health Office.  In case parents cannot be contacted, the emergency number on the registration card will be called.  It is imperative that you keep the school informed of any change in your home address, phone number or emergency information.  If there is an emergency and no one can be reached, the police are called.

Taking Medication at School

State law prohibits school staff from dispensing medication (prescription or over-the-counter) unless the proper paperwork (Physician’s Recommendation for Medication) form has been completed by the parent and the physician.  Containers must have the child’s name, name of medication, dosage and doctor’s name.  Children may not have any medication in their custody at school.  Please contact the health office if you have questions concerning health care. 

Accident Insurance

Accidents do occasionally happen at school.  The district does not carry medical insurance for students; however, a voluntary student accident insurance program has been approved by the Board of Education.  Insurance enrollment information will be sent home and is available in the school office.

Child Abuse

According to district policy and procedures, child abuse includes physical injury inflicted by other than accidental means, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and reasonable suspicion.

Penal Code Section 11166 refers to mandated reporting. Any child care custodian, health practitioner, or employee of a child protective agency who has knowledge of or observes a child in his/her professional capacity or within the scope of his/her employment whom he/she knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect shall report the known or suspected instance of child abuse or neglect to a child protective agency immediately or as soon as practically possible by telephone/fax and shall prepare and send a written report thereof within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident.

The Penal Code obligation to report child abuse or neglect applies but is not limited to certificated employees, health practitioners, school police, and employees of child care centers. This law also applies to instructional aides, teachers’ aides, teachers’ assistants, and classified employees who have been trained in the duties imposed by this law and where this training has been declared by the State.
The telephone report must be made immediately or as soon as possible to one of these agencies:

• Suspected Child Abuse “Fax” Report

Fax #’s: (858) 694-5469; (858) 694-5240; (858) 694-5241 and (858) 694-5725

• Integrated Child Protective Services, Department of Social Services

Phone: (619) 560-2191 (24-hour response number)

• San Diego Police Department Child Abuse Unit

Phone: (619) 531-2260 (Monday-Friday, business hours)
Phone: (619) 531-2000 (24-hour response number)

Note: Reporting person should not contact the child’s home or conduct and investigation of any kind.

Sexual Harassment

According to district policy

Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination which includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by someone from or in the educational setting (see Office for Civil Rights Sexual Harassment Guidance, 62 Federal Register 12034, March 13, 1997).