In the interest of the student’s health and safety, it is asked that parents inform the School of any health conditions of their children, such as: epilepsy, allergies, diabetes, heart problems, vision or hearing impairments, etc. Please notify the School of any changes in your child’s health.

Emergency forms

Every year parents/guardians must complete a number of important forms prior to their child’s eligibility in attending the École Socrates-Démosthène. One of the forms is a health/emergency card. The School requires that the previous information is accurate and up to date throughout the entire school year. It is critical that parents/guardians provide the School with other names and other telephone numbers in case of an emergency where the parents/guardians would not be available.

Remember that if your child is in an emergency situation and that the information on file is not updated, the situation becomes more difficult for both the staff and your child, who may be suffering from an injury or illness. If necessary, do not forget to include the name and telephone number of your child’s doctor.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS NOTIFY THE SCHOOL ABOUT ANY DRUG ALLERGY, ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS AND ALL MEDICATION PRESCRIBED TO YOUR CHILD. This information is vital and necessary in cases where parents/guardians are not available, and the student must be transported to the nearest emergency center. This information is deemed essential for the student to receive appropriate care and treatment in the hospital.

First Aid

The following guidelines apply to the entire campus, as well as the teacher in charge when activities take place outside the institution:

• The first aid kits are available at the secretary’s office and will be made accessible to officials during extracurricular activities.
• The same goes for the use of the EpiPen.
• A qualified first aid person will be titled to respond to such situations.

Safety, accidents and emergencies

In order to promote safety among all activities of the institution and to ensure a quick, well-coordinated and adequate institutional response, this policy applies to all people concerned: students, teachers, administrative staff and support.

The following procedures will be applied:

• At least two (2) people are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques (first aid personnel).

In case of accidents:

• A first aid helper should be notified. The director should also be informed immediately. The director will then take all appropriate action while in contact with this person.

In case of emergency:

The general director shall be informed promptly, and conduct any required procedures under the circumstances. All investigations, including those conducted by the media, should be brought to the general director’s attention. After consultation with the Administration Board, that person is the only one authorized to provide relevant information or to appoint the person assigned to this task.

Drugs/ Medication

The administration reserves the right to not administer medications.

Only designated members of the school staff are allowed to give prescription drugs, when parents/guardians have informed the school and provided it ONLY with medication prescribed by a doctor. The drugs must be identified by a pharmacist and must indicate the name of the doctor, the drug’s name, dosage and duration.

Medication must be brought directly to the office. Non-prescription drugs (such as Tylenol, vitamins, Triaminic, etc.) require written parental permission. In all cases, parents must take responsibility for the safe delivery of any medication at school. The parent/guardian is responsible for all expired medication.

A staff member may reserve the right to administer tablets, capsules or liquid medicine and can help a child with his/her inhaler. Staff must not administer any medication requiring injections or the use of needles or similar instruments, with the exception of the EpiPen in the treatment of an allergic reaction.

Children returning from a recent illness, and that are still taking medications but are no longer contagious, can attend school if they are able to participate in all activities, including outdoor activities. Medications are kept locked and administered only by the school’s authorized staff or the child’s parent/guardian.

Procedure in the event of an accident or illness

The school has its students’ health and well-being at heart. If a student is injured or becomes ill after arriving at school, the parent/guardian will be contacted to pick up the child. If the school can’t get in touch with the parent/guardian, it will attempt to contact the person assigned in case of an emergency.

If the student requires immediate medical attention, the school will call 9-1-1. Afterwards, the child’s parent/guardian will be called. If the parent/guardian cannot be reached, the person assigned in case of an emergency will then be called. The student will be transported to the nearest emergency center, with the child’s folder and all permission forms signed by the parent/guardian.

To protect other students and staff, parents should keep at home students suffering from: fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea, a rash of an unknown origin, or any disease that interferes with student’s school activities. A STUDENT SHOULD BE FREE OF FEVER, VOMITING AND / OR DIARRHEA, WITHOUT USING DRUGS, FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL. IMMEDIATELY inform the school if your child develops a contagious disease. If your child must limit his or her activities once he or she returns to school after an illness, please send a note to the class teacher with the appropriate details.

During breaks, the children remain in school only in cases of extreme temperature. It is only with a doctor’s note that a child will be allowed to stay inside during breaks.

Pets and allergies

In order to avoid health problems for students with allergies to various animals, animals will not be allowed within the school’s walls. Exceptions may be authorized for animals that would be used for educational purposes. In such cases, the students’ parents/guardians will be notified, in writing, in advance and if there are possible health problems, these animals will be banned from being in the classroom.

Allergies

One of the School’s most important responsibilities is to promote a safe environment for all children. A number of students attending our School are severely allergic to peanuts and nut products, to the point where the smallest trace of any of these products can cause a fatal reaction

IN ORDER TO CREATE A SAFER ENVIRONMENT, THE SCHOOL FOLLOWS A STRICT POLICY: ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION OF PEANUTS AND NUTS. PLEASE DO NOT PROVIDE FOOD CONTAINING PEANUTS AND NUTS FOR YOUR CHILD.

It is impossible to ban all foods that produce allergic reactions. However, each campus may establish its own regulations to ban certain foods depending on the severity and number of specific cases in the school.

Both the School and families of children with allergies, recognize the difficulty of ensuring a completely safe environment for those whose life is at risk, despite best efforts. Your cooperation is essential to ensure the safety of the children.

Family and student responsibilities

In order to ensure a safe environment in the École Socrates-Démosthène:

• Respect the School’s Health Policy;
• Inform the School of any allergies of the child;
• Do not give products containing peanuts or nuts to your child;
• Teach your child to manage his/her food allergies;
• Cakes are not accepted in the school for a child’s birthday or party;
• Do not share or exchange food;
• Do not eat any food without knowing the ingredients;
• Immediately notify an adult if the child believes he/she ate food to which he/she is allergic.

In the case of allergic reactions

An urgent call to 9-1-1 is made as soon as the EpiPen is administered to a student. Parents / guardians or one of the persons referred for an emergency, are contacted immediately.

School’s responsibilities

• Include students who have an allergy in school activities;
• Ensure that all staff that interacts, on a regular basis, with children with food allergies, can recognize the symptoms and know what to do in an emergency. All staff follow an annual training on the use of the EpiPen;
• Practising a plan of action in case of a food allergy, before a reaction occurs, ensures the effectiveness and proper functioning of intervention plans;
• Identify and acknowledge the school staff who have been trained to administer medication related to food allergies;
• Discuss with the family of the student experiencing allergies, to determine appropriate strategies to manage any food allergy during school trips;
• Pictures and information sheets on each case, are displayed in the staffroom and in the classroom (case by case);
• Two doses of EpiPen are available for students: one in the principal’s office and one with the child or in the classroom.

Lice

The presence of lice is a major concern for all schools. Students with head lice at school must return home and require immediate treatment with the appropriate medications. Students must remain at home until the end of the treatment. All lice nits must be removed before a student can return to class. The school will inform all parents of the class, if it suspects the presence of lice in the classroom. The CLSC will be contacted for persistent cases.

Physical Education

The physical education program is an integral part of the curriculum. The school expects that students fully participate in physical education classes and are properly attired for this activity. They cannot be exempted from these courses, except for medical reasons. Students are encouraged to participate in sporting activities with other schools, as well as those of their campus. Students must comply with the dress code for gym classes and sports, including during the “dress down” days.