Children with serious allergies (i.e., food, dyes, insect stings) or chronic medical conditions (i.e., asthma, diabetes, seizures), are expected to notify the school nurse upon acceptance or upon becoming aware of the medical condition. The nurse will work with Administration to determine if a medical action plan will need to be put into place. RCS will attempt to assist with food allergies. However, students must be able to be mainstreamed in a normal classroom.

RCS cannot be held responsible for the contents of student lunches. Medication Policy Students should not carry medications of any type without proper documentation. Please see the school nurse for additional information if needed.

RCS will not provide over-the-counter (OTC) medications for student use.

Families desiring to have OTC medicines available for their child(ren) are to provide these medicines in a “Space Maker” plastic box. These medications are to be taken by the parent directly to the nurse for check-in.

Dispensing of any/all medications may only be extended by the nurse when the required authorizations are on file with the school nurse.

RCS employees will not administer herbal medications, home remedies, or dietary supplements unless accompanied by a doctor’s note.

As per Texas law, RCS will conduct yearly vision, hearing and spinal screenings for selected grade levels. Parents will be notified prior to testing dates.

Symptoms

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Your doctor may perform a special test (such as a nasal swab) to diagnose the flu.

In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. The flu usually comes on suddenly.

Although fever is a common symptom, not everyone with the flu will have a fever.

Other symptoms of the flu may include runny/stuffy nose and/or sore throat. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults).

How does the flu spread?

Flu viruses are thought to be spread mainly from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or even talking with someone with the flu. Flu viruses may also be spread when people touch something with the flu virus on it and then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose.

People infected with flu may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick.

What can you do?

Your best bet is to get a flu shot. It takes up to 2 weeks for the full benefit, so now is a good time to get it. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), so you cannot get the flu from the shot. Since infants under 6 months of age cannot receive the flu vaccine, it is especially important for the other family members to be vaccinated to minimize flu exposure to the young infant.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Cover your nose and mouth, preferably with a tissue, when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

• Please remind your children not to share food or drink with others.

If you or your child gets sick with a respiratory illness, like flu, limit contact with others as much as possible. Stay home or keep your child home. The RCS handbook states that your child needs to be fever-free (less than 100 degrees without fever-reducing medication) for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Allergy & Asthma Network; http://www.allergyasthmanetwork.org/

America Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/

2026-2027 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for PreK: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/LIDS-Immunizations/pdf/pdf_stock/6-15.pdf

2026-2027 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Grades K-12: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/LIDS-Immunizations/pdf/pdf_stock/6-14.pdf

Lice Information from DSHS: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/texas-school-health/skilled-procedures-texas-school-health/managing-head-lice-school

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/

CDC Flu information: https://www.cdc.gov/flu

Texas (DSHS) – Flu Information: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/flu/

Texas DSHS – Immunization Info: http://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/

Texas DSHS - Meningitis Info: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/school/meningitis-information-for-students---parents/

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE): https://www.foodallergy.org/

Pertussis (whooping cough) Vaccine Fact Sheet: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/child/pertussis.html

Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center