Illness

If your child is ill, please keep them at home until they are well enough to participate in all school activities. If your child becomes ill during the school day, we will contact you and you will be expected to arrange for your child to be picked up as soon as possible.

It is important that you call the school if your child is absent or arriving late. Please report all absences to the Attendance Line at 403-777-7001 ext. 1.

Medical Alerts & Collecting Information at the School Level 

Parents of children with severe allergies or medical conditions that could impact them at school are required to advise the principal and classroom teacher at the beginning of the school year. We must have emergency contact information, a recent photograph, and other pertinent information so that the school can have an appropriate plan on file as well as emergency procedures in place. Medical forms must be completed on an annual basis. Students who require an EpiPen on site should consider wearing one in a fanny pack each day, as well as having one stored in the infirmary. Students are often well away from the building during recess, lunch breaks and outdoor physical education periods. In the interest of immediate intervention, if ever required, a supervisor who is trained to administer the EpiPen could access the EpiPen immediately from the fanny pack. 

Medication And Dispensing 

Parents need to be aware that school personnel are not authorized to dispense medication without the written consent of the parent on a Student Health Emergency Response Protocol Form. It is necessary to complete this form if your child has any medication, such as an inhaler which can be self-administered. This form is available from the office and must be completed each school year. If children are required to receive simple, straight forward medication (including Ventolin inhalers) during the school day, the classroom teacher and office must be informed. Medication should be kept in the school office instead of backpacks unless absolutely necessary (for instance an epi-pen).

Severe Allergies & Medically Vulnerable Students

Somerset School is an allergy aware school. This means that Somerset staff work with students and staff to create a safe and healthy environment for all students. It is important to inform the school office and your child’s teacher regarding any allergies or medical information that might impact them at school. Parents with children with allergies and/or a medical condition complete the Student Health Emergency Response Protocol Form each year and submit it to the school office.

Medical information is shared with all staff. Staff will make reasonable accommodations for students with allergies. Although the school does not ban certain kinds of foods, we highly recommend students to do not send food with peanuts to school. Alberta Health has provided a guide for peanut free snacks. I

Allergy Alert

We are a Nut Aware School

We wish to draw to your attention to, two life threatening concerns for some of our students.

1. Animals | We have in our school, students who are extremely allergic to animals. 
2. Nuts | A number of our students are deathly allergic to nuts, including peanuts. These children have been trained to avoid foods, which may have been contaminated, by peanut oils, peanut butter and nuts.

All parents can assist in this critical issue by:

• Helping your children understand the life threatening nature of allergies
• Avoiding the use of nuts and peanuts in foods and crafts sent to school
• Ensuring that trading or sharing of food does not occur
• Refraining from bringing pets into the school or onto school grounds

Parents/Guardians of children with severe allergies are required to advise the principal and classroom teacher at the beginning of the school year and to complete and submit medical forms to the school. Students prescribed with an Epi-pen are expected to carry it on their body with a “fanny pack” at all times.

We must have emergency contact information, a recent photograph, and other pertinent information so that the school can have appropriate emergency procedures in place.

Accidents & Injuries

In the event of an accident, several courses of action may be taken depending upon the seriousness of the incident.

• Scrapes and scratches, or any injury that can be treated with ice and cleaning with soap and water and a band-aid will be dealt with at the school.
• In the case of sprains, severe cuts, or contusions, home will be notified immediately to decide what actions should be taken.
• In the case of open and or heavily bleeding wounds, broken bones, unconsciousness, etc. the school will call an ambulance and parents immediately. 
• Accident insurance is provided upon request and forms are sent home in September.

School Nurse

Calgary Regional Health has provided a school nurse who visits on a weekly basis or as needed.

Forms You Need 

Student Health Emergency Response Protocol Form

• This form is to be used when there is a student health issue regarding attention. This includes when there is a request to administer medication. 

Student Health Plan

This form is to be:

• completed if a physical or medical condition may affect the student’s attendance at school
• completed if medication is to be taken at school,
• reviewed and updated annually or sooner if there is a change in the student’s health concern or school registration.