Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1506794
Parents' Handbook 2024– 2025 39 Encourage students not to share lunches or trade snacks, make-up or musical instruments and encourage anaphylactic students to eat only what they bring from home. Reinforce with all students the importance of hand washing before and after eating. 4) Emergency Response Plan Anaphylactic reactions occur when the body's sensitized immune system overreacts in response to the presence of a particular allergen. Anaphylaxis affects multiple body systems, including skin, upper and lower respiratory, gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular. An anaphylactic reaction can begin within seconds of exposure or after several hours. Act quickly, administer an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen) immediately and call 911 to request an ambulance. The time from onset of first symptoms to death can be as little as a few minutes if the reaction is not treated. A copy of the full bilingual text of the Anaphylaxis Policy is available through each branch office. ASTHMA POLICY The policy outlines the school's commitment to students with asthma. The safety of students with a medical condition such as asthma is a shared responsibility of the school, family, health care provider and community partners. Parents and guardians must complete the medical form and supply details for students with asthma conditions. These details should be included on the asthma care plan for the school's use in the event of an emergency. CONCUSSIONS Concussions are one of the most common injuries for children and youth, and they can happen anywhere – not just in sports. If not properly managed, concussions can result in significant physical, mental, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Because young brains are still developing, they need a unique approach to concussion care. In 2017 TFS began a collaboration with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Concussion Program. Together, we execute a comprehensive concussion strategy that includes greater concussion education and awareness for parents and students, increased training for staff and coaches, volunteer opportunities, policy and protocol refinement, and services. This collaboration focuses on getting our students who have sustained a concussion, back to doing what they love, including learning, recreational activities and competitive sports. If you think your child has sustained a concussion, please follow these instructions: - Visit an emergency room/walk-in clinic or your family physician as soon as possible, to diagnose the injury and rule out anything more serious, and obtain a medical note indicating that your child has been diagnosed with a concussion. - As soon as a diagnosis is made, inform the school nurses and send them a copy of the medical note. This will ensure that school procedures and strategies are put into place to support a positive recovery. - Read the Concussion & You Handbook at http://www.hollandbloorview.ca/ concussionhandbook. Informed by experts from Holland Bloorview, this handbook is designed to help with concussion management and recovery. IMMUNIZATIONS All students attending schools in Ontario must, by law, follow the province's immunization requirements. Before a child starts attending TFS, parents must submit immunization details to the appropriate public health department's online immunization database (ICON). Parents and guardians of children newly placed in TFS childcare locations, including Jardin d'éveil (toddler) and PK, must submit hard copies to the office, as stipulated by childcare legislation.