Required Health Screenings

Medications

Whenever possible, medications should be given at home. However, we realize that for a scholar to maintain school attendance, certain medications may be required during school hours. In an effort to prioritize scholar and staff safety, MACS has specific policies and procedures for medications administered at school.

NO medications will be given without prior written permission. For your child to receive medication at school, you will need to complete: “The parent Medication Permission Form.” This form provides parent permission for over-the-counter and short-term (less than 10 days) medications, and physician-prescribed long-term (more than ten days) to be administered at school.

Please take the time to read the guidelines below carefully. These policies will require cooperation and communication between parents and school personnel:

1. Medications received at school in unlabeled bottles, pills in zip-lock bags and aluminum foil will not be administered.
2. Non-prescription medications (over the counter medications) must be brought to the school by a designated adult in the original container along with a written parental request that includes parent contact phone number, and directions for administering that states the frequency, dose and length of administration.
3. Prescription medications must be brought to the school in the original prescription container labeled with the student’s name, date prescribed, instructions for administering, name of drug, name of issuing Health Care Provider, expiration date, and route medication is to be given.
4. School staff will dispense medications only as directed on the original labeled container. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the school if changes in the medication, dosage, and/or time of administration are requested and a new Original container must be provided.
5. For ALL medications to be administered for more than 10 school days, the parent/guardian must provide specific instructions, including related equipment needed if necessary, by completing a “Parent/Guardian Medication Permission Form” and by having your health care provider complete a “Health Care Provider Medication Information Record.”
6. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to inform the school, in writing, of any changes in pertinent data. A new “Medication Permission Form” must be provided indicating requested changes.
7. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to deliver ALL medication to the nurse or other designated school personnel.
8. A “Parent/Guardian Medication Permission Form” and if pertinent, a “Health Care Provider Medication Information Record” shall be kept relative to each medication taken by the student during the school day. This record will include the student’s name, name of medication, time, route, and correct dose.
9. Long-term medications usually need to be refilled on a monthly basis. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to keep the school supplied with adequate amounts of medication.

Immunizations (Form 3231)

The state of Georgia requires that all scholars in elementary, middle and high school have an updated certificate of immunization. Required immunizations include; diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chicken pox). Protection against each of these diseases must be addressed on the form 3231. Georgia law allows for two exemptions: medical and/or religious:

• Medical exemption: In this case, the 3231 has an expiration date no more than 12 months from date of issue. There must be an annual review of the medical exemption, and the certificate must be reissued with or without indication of the medical exemption.
• Religious exemption: For a child to be exempt from immunization on religious grounds the parent or guardian must furnish the school with a notarized statement, and it must meet the following criteria:

• (A) State that their religious beliefs conflict with immunization requirements;
• (B) The statement must be signed and dated by the parent/guardian;
• (C) The statement must be notarized, dated, and signed by a Notary Public;
• (D) The statement should be submitted to the school in lieu of an immunization certificate (form 3231);
• (E) The statement does not expire.

Certificate of Eye, Ear, Dental Exam (Form 3300)

All scholars, regardless of grade level, who have never been in a Georgia public school must provide certification of eye, ear, and dental examinations on the Georgia Department of Human Resources Form 3300. Any child admitted to school without a certificate must present one within 60 calendar days. Forms may be obtained and completed at the local public health departments or physician offices.

Diabetes Management Plan

MACS ensures that at least two staff members are trained in diabetes management when a scholar with diabetes is enrolled at MACS. These two staff members are not required to be medical professionals but rather have successfully completed any diabetes management training.

Parents/Guardians of scholars with Diabetes must submit a Diabetes Management Plan completed by the scholar’s physician or healthcare provider in the event any type of diabetes management will be needed while the scholar is in the care of MACS. MACS will also do its own due diligence in providing all staff and families with diabetes resources.

Communicable Diseases

No scholar or staff member will be denied access to an education or employment opportunities solely because they may have been infected with a communicable disease. A scholar and/or staff member will remain in their position unless he/she presents a risk of contagion. Said risk should be determined by a Licensed Physician. Risks of contagion will be determined upon the following:

• Nature of the risk; how long the disease was transmitted
• Duration of risk; how long the carrier is infectious
• Severity of risk; the degree of harm to third parties
• The probability the disease will be transmitted & cause varying degree of harm

Each year, staff and families are to be provided with educational resources surrounding disease prevention and literature on how to properly handle bodily fluids.

Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack)

MACS is an offer school and we offer all scholars breakfast and lunch. Families are encouraged to pack a light healthy snack for the end of the day. Breakfast is offered between 7:30 – 8:15am. Lunch is offered between 10:30 – 12:00pm. Snack occurs from 2:00 – 2:30pm. Scholars are welcome to bring lunch and snacks from home as long as it follows guidelines pertaining to food allergies or restrictions within their homeroom. Families looking to apply for free and reduced lunch pricing should reach out to a member of the Operation Team to complete application information otherwise scholars will be charged for their meals eaten at MACS. Families have up to 30 days to contest any meal balance fees charged to their scholars account.

To ensure we maintain whole, healthy, happy persons at MACS, the following activities and items are prohibited:

• Delivery meal services to drop off scholars meals for scholars is NOT allowed and will not be delivered to scholars.
• Canned or bottled soft drinks are not allowed. Scholars will keep those items in their bags and be given water.
• No microwaving meals for scholars.
• If a parent needs to deliver lunch to a scholar, please do so by 10:30 to ensure they receive it by their lunch period.

Allergies

If your scholar is bringing food from home or a family is donating snacks, please be aware of the allergies within the classroom. If you are not sure, please reach out to your scholar’s homeroom teacher for confirmation.

Please be aware that exposure to restricted food can result and injury or death as a result of your actions.