parent handbook 2012 13.pdf - Plaquemines Parish School Board

Appendix B
Policies and Procedures For the Temporary Exclusion
of Head Start Children
For Medical Reasons and Long Term Exclusion
Based on Special Medical or Medication Needs
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Children may be temporarily excluded from the Head Start program if it is suspected
that they have a condition that might impact the health of other children in
the program. Reasons for short-term exclusion will include, but not be limited to the
following observable or measurable conditions:
A temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit
Inflamed, swollen, red, and watering eye or eyes.
Rashes of unknown origin
Presence of nits in the hair
Lack of proper immunizations
Any condition that needs medical treatment beyond capabilities of the
Head Start instructional staff or the school nurse.
When possible, the Head Start instructional staff will seek advice from the school
nurse before excluding a child from the program. When this is not possible, it will be
the responsibility of the instructional staff to exclude any child who might pose a health
risk to themselves or to other children in the classroom.
If exclusion becomes necessary, the instructional staff will call the parents and
explain why the child is being excluded, and what steps must be taken in order to admit
the child to the classroom. In general, admittance will be based on correspondence
from a doctor stating that it is safe for the child to return to the program.
At all times, exclusion and admittance, will follow guidelines established by the
Plaquemines Parish School Board. When possible, the school nurse will be consulted in
cases where the cause of symptoms is in question.
It is the policy of Plaquemines Parish Head Start not to deny admittance to, or to
exclude from our program, any child who needs medication or specialized medical
procedures. It will be the responsibility of our program to provide training to our instructional
staff so that specialized medical needs can be met within our classrooms.
The only time a child will be subject to long-term exclusion will be if the child’s
condition poses a specific risk to the health and/or safety of other children. The presence
and nature of such a condition must be certified by a health care professional.
No child will be subject to long-term exclusion without a meeting with the parents,
center instructional staff, health coordinator and health care professional. The
primary purpose of this meeting will be to determine if any type of modification can
be made in order to allow the child to remain in or be admitted to our program. Only
after it is determined that modifications are not feasible, will a child be subject to longterm
exclusion. Parents may request that the findings and conclusions of this committee
be reviewed by an independent healthcare professional.
24 Plaquemines Parish Head Start Parent Handbook