COUGAR HEALTH NEWS
Summer Edition--June 16, 2022
SUMMER IS HERE!
We made it to the end of another school year. We hope everyone has a relaxing and enjoyable summer break and returns next September ready to learn.
The purpose of this newsletter is to help families be prepared for the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. Read on for information about:
- Medications at School Next Year
- New Sports Physical Forms Required for SY 2022-2023
- COVID Guidelines and Reminders
- Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens
- Get Outdoors and Explore Our County
Medications at School Next Year
- The Self-Carry Medication Form is for asthma inhalers and/or EpiPens/Auvi-Q (epinephrine auto injectors). Both pages must be completed and signed.
- The Medication Order Form is for any other prescription or over the counter medication required at school. Parents must bring these medications in their original prescription container or in the sealed manufacturer's package for OTC medications to the Health Suite.
- The Discretionary Medication Form will be given out on the first day of school. This form is completed by parents and returned to school by the student. Once completed, this form gives permission for students to receive Acetaminophen (generic Tylenol), Ibuprofen (generic Advil or Motrin) or antacid (generic Tums) for certain conditions.
New Sports Physicals Forms for SY 2022-2023
· NEW FORMS THIS YEAR – 4 pages (3 pages stay with Healthcare Provider, 1 page comes to school). 2022-2023 Sports Physical Forms
o Preparticipation Physical Evaluation - Physical Examination Form (1 page) – Done by the Healthcare Provider AND kept on file with the provider.
o Preparticipation Physical Evaluation – History Form (2 pages) – Done by parent/guardian and athlete. This form is kept on file with the provider.
o HCPS Preparticipation Physical Evaluation – Eligibility Form (1 page) – Done by Healthcare Provider AND Parent/Guardian. This form is the only form that gets turned in to the School Nurse. (1 page)
· FORM IS DUE BEFORE AUGUST 10TH - Form must be turned in at the school BEFORE start date of Fall Sports – August 10, 2022. If form is turned in on August 10th, there could be a delay in your student starting Fall Sports.
· WHERE TO TURN FORM IN - There is a desk with a YELLOW Box on it outside of Health Suite 1 (Main Hall). Please put the Eligibility Form in the box. School Nurse will be processing the forms as they come in over the summer.
o Email of form is not preferred. If you email, we still need original before August 10, 2022 before your student can be cleared.
· MEDICATIONS – If your student requires the use of an emergency medication such as an inhaler for asthma or epinephrine injection (like EpiPen or Auvi-Q) for severe allergy, please make sure to have the Self Carry Medication Form completed by your Healthcare Provider and turned in to School Nurse. Students must be authorized by School Nurse to carry any medication.
If you have any questions, please contact the School Nurse at dawn.higinbothom@hcps.org
(Note that School Nurse is only available via email from 6/18/22 thru 8/24/22.)
Free Sports Physicals are available from Upper Chesapeake Sports Medicine
Call 443-643-3130 for appointments. (NO Walk-ins) Schedule ASAP--Slots fill up fast!
- Thursday, July 14th, 1:00-5:00
- Tuesday, August 9th, 1:00-5:00
- Tuesday, July 12th, 1:00-4:00
- Tuesday, July 26th, 1:00-4:00
Covid Guidelines for 2022-2023 School Year?
As of this writing, there are no changes we know of for the handling of Covid-19 cases in the school setting. If any of our guidelines are changed over the summer, this information will be disseminated by HCPS.
For now, plan on following the COVID guidelines we have been using this school year. Please save the information below for reference as you get ready for Back To School in August.
COVID Guidelines and Reminders
While most people experience mild cold-like symptoms when they have COVID, anyone who is immunocompromised or has pre-existing medical conditions has the potential for more serious illness from a COVID infection.
Be considerate of your community and stay home when feeling any symptoms of any illness. Perform an at home COVID test and report the results through the reporting portal associated with your particular brand of home test.
Some important reminders:
- Assess yourself for any symptoms of any illness every morning, including your temperature.
- Stay home if you feel ill.
- Anyone who experiences COVID-like symptoms should be testing themselves with a home test. Positive results should be reported to the state (see how to report results below).
- Even if your test is negative, do not associate with others while having symptoms of illness. Your test may end up being positive in a few days as your viral load increases.
- If your symptoms persist for several days after a negative home test--TEST AGAIN. Still negative but having symptoms? Call your health care provider for guidance.
- If you test positive, home isolation lasts for 5 full days. You must wear a well fitting (not cloth) mask for Days 6-10.
- You can still get COVID even if you are vaccinated or have had COVID in the past.
- To be considered fully vaccinated now means you have had your initial 2 dose series of vaccine and, if eligible, your booster shot(s).
COVID-19 symptoms are any ONE of the following:
- fever of 100.0F or higher
- sore throat
- cough
- difficulty breathing
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- new onset of severe headache (especially with fever)
- new loss of taste or smell
(Per the Maryland State Department of Education K-12 School Guidelines)
Runny/stuffy nose is not listed in the guidance issued by MSDE but is on the CDC website as a symptom. We see many students at school with stuffy/runny nose and headache as their chief complaints. Often parents and students assume these symptoms are due to seasonal allergies and are surprised when the student tests positive for COVID.
How To Order Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Through The Post Office
The tests available for order are rapid antigen at home tests, not PCR. They can be taken anywhere and you get results within 30 minutes (no lab drop off required). Click COVID.gov/tests to order. The tests will be shipped within a few days and delivered by the USPS.
We urge you to request as many tests as your household is eligible to receive. We will most likely continue to require at home testing next school year if a student comes to school symptomatic and may not have test kits available to give.
SUMMER MEALS PROGRAMS
HCPS Summer Meals Program
HCPS is pleased to announce we will continue to provide the summer meals program to students 18 and younger beginning Monday, June 20, 2022. Visit hcps.org and click on Menus for details. Please note, due to federal regulations the list of locations may have changed, and HCPS cannot provide meal kits; children participating in the summer meals program must be present and enjoy their meal on site. Alternative community meal supports are linked on the website for your convenience.
Free Meals for Kids and Teens
Kids and teens 18 & under can get FREE meals all summer long at sites across the community. Visit https://mars.msde.maryland.gov/mars_sitesearch/ or call 211 for locations near you. #mdsummermeals Maryland No Kid Hungry
New sites are added every night. If there is nothing in your immediate area, we recommend continuing to check every so often to see if there are updates. Questions can also be directed to Maryland Department of Health WIC Program
Harford County to expand summer food benefits to at-risk children
With support from Harford County government, more low-income families will get help paying for groceries this summer through a state anti-hunger program. In Harford County, at least 9,833 children will receive the extra benefit this year thanks to a significant contribution by the Glassman administration.
Harford County has been selected to participate in Maryland’s 2022 Summer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A partnership between the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Family Investment Administration (DHS/FIA), Harford County Department of Social Services and Harford County government, Summer SNAP helps feed children in need by providing additional benefits to families when school nutrition programs are unavailable.
With the state providing $154,560 and the county’s $828,740 contribution, Summer SNAP will provide an extra $30 a month per eligible child in June, July, and August and $10 per child over the winter break in December. The total added benefit per child is $100.
“Inflation has made it harder to buy things we all need, and low-income parents have been hit the hardest,” County Executive Barry Glassman said. “We want to help, so parents don’t have to choose between feeding their children and filling their gas tank to get to work. I would like to thank the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Family Investment Administration for the opportunity to provide a summer safety net for Harford County families in need.”
Families currently enrolled in SNAP do not need to take any action to receive the extra benefit. They will be automatically credited on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card associated with each child’s household.
Other families that believe they may be eligible can apply online at mymdthink.maryland.gov/home/#/ or contact the Harford County Department of Social Services at 410-297-6100 to learn more.
Get Outdoors and Explore Our County
Harford Streams Summer Adventure 2022
Warm weather is here... time to get out and explore beautiful Harford County with Harford Streams Summer Adventure! Register at bit.ly/HSSummerAdventure
Swing by your favorite HCPL library location to check out a Nature Backpack Kit https://hcplonline.org/naturebackpacks.php to take along on your journey!
Prevent Heat Related Illnesses
Around 618 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year, despite it being preventable. Check out these tips for preventing heat-related illness. Remember to Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated, and Stay Informed!
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html
CREATING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
NEED A COPY OF YOUR IMMUNIZATION RECORD FOR SPORTS, CAMP OR COLLEGE?
Access Your Official Immunization Records Today
MyIR Mobile in partnership with your State Health Department allows you to review your immunization history, get reminders for future immunizations, and even print your own official records…
it’s all free, simple and secure.
Fallston High School Health Suite
Dawn Higinbothom, RN dawn.higinbothom@hcps.org
Marti Pomplon RN martha.pomplon@hcps.org
Visit our Virtual Health Suite
Website: https://fahs.ss18.sharpschool.com/about_us/school_staff_information/school_nurse
Location: 2301 Carrs Mill Road, Fallston, MD, USA
Phone: 410-638-4120 Fax: 410-809-6221
Facebook: facebook.com/FallstonHSNurse/
Twitter: @FHSCougarHealth
COVID-19 Testing Sites
The Harford County Health Department maintains an accurate listing of the testing sites and their hours of operation. Click through to the Testing In Harford County page for the latest information.
Reporting Positive Test Results
Did you get a positive result from a COVID-19 at-home test recently? You can report your positive test results through the mobile app associated with your at-home test or directly through Maryland’s At-Home Test Report Portal. Learn more: bit.ly/3JxsXNH
Previous Editions of Cougar Health News
For links to newsletters from August-December 2021, please see the December 23, 2021 edition.
For links to newsletters from January-March 2022, please see the April 1, 2022 edition.
Note: Information included in each newsletter was current at the time of initial publication. Policies and protocols may have changed. Please see school nurse for updates.