To contact the On-Call nurse, call the Health Center's cell phone at 801-7614.

• Phone [Direct Line]: (512) 327-1166
• Phone [Campus Switchboard]: (512) 327-1213 x231
• Phone [Emergency Cell Phone]: (512) 801-7614
• Fax: (512) 306-8720
• Email: healthcenter@sstx.org
  

As referred to in the latest Eighth grade letter from Annelle Adams.
Physical Exam due March 1, 2010

Important changes to Texas immunization requirements
Physical and Immunization Requirements for Eighth Grade Students Entering Ninth Grade

New Boarding Student Medical Form
Returning Boarding Student Medical Form
New Day Student Medical Form
Returning Day Student Medical Form

Accident and Sickness Plan
Plan Summary

Download information about the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Download the flu consent form.

October 5, 2009

September 2, 2009

The Pandemic Crisis Committee, comprised of representatives from the school’s faculty, administration, building and grounds staff, healthcare professionals, and parent body have created a pandemic plan. The Plan follows closely guidelines established for schools and other institutions by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local health agencies.

Download St. Stephen's Pandemic Plan.

August 19, 2009

Dear Parents,

As you may know, the flu season this year may be exceptionally challenging. Flu can be easily spread from person to person, and especially the strain of novel influenza A H1N1 which we are experiencing during this Pandemic period. At St. Stephen's we are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu. We want to keep the school open and fully functioning during this flu season. But, we need your help to do this.

We are working closely with the Texas State Education agency as well as the Travis County Health and Human Services Department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take at our school. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.

As we begin our academic year, we will continue to reinforce good hygiene practices and encourage students to not come to school if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

There is a solid plan in place for the residential program. We will monitor and advise our boarding students using many of the same guidelines listed below for our day families. If your child is a boarding student and demonstrates flu-like symptoms or becomes ill, the Health Center staff will care for and monitor your child's progress. Both the Health Center and the residential staff will keep you well informed about your child's status.

For now we are doing everything we can to prepare for a normal opening and operation of school functions. Here are a few things you can do to help.

Teach your children to wash their hands often using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. You can set a good example by modeling this behavior.

Teach your children to not share personal items such as drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. They should cover up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when tissue is unavailable.

Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also experience vomiting or have diarrhea.

Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or do not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever home will reduce the number of people who may become infected.

Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any child who is diagnosed with possible flu symptoms at school will be sent home. It is crucial for you as a parent to identify your child's illness as flu related when reporting absences to the school. Providing this information gives vital data to help monitor novel influenza A H1N1 trends in our student population.

It is important that you develop contingency plans should your child become sick and need to stay home. Although school closure is not advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a single case of novel influenza A H1N1, if a significant number of faculty or students are absent and the school’s ability to function is compromised, officials might recommend school closure. Your plans should also address how your family would respond if the school closes.

Plan now for your child’s care if you or your child becomes ill with the novel influenza A H1N1 virus. Talk to other family members, friends or neighbors about helping with child care or possibly sharing care in such a situation. Be sure to have a family plan that includes having adequate food and supplies on hand to decrease your need to be out in public should someone get sick.

Since April, the novel influenza A H1N1 virus has been confirmed throughout Texas. We expect that this virus will continue to circulate in the fall and that clusters of illness will occur in schools involving students, faculty, and staff. While it is uncertain how widespread or severe the novel flu virus will be during the upcoming flu season, taking the above steps will help to protect you, your family, and your community. At this time, the novel influenza A H1N1 virus is causing illness similar to that of seasonal flu strains. If that should change, we will be sure to provide you updated guidance.

You may visit http://www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information about the flu. To learn more about the flu in our community and about what our school is doing, visit the H1N1 link attached to the Health Center website. We will notify you of any additional changes to our school's strategy to prevent the spread of the flu.

Sincerely,

Bob Kirkpatrick
Head of School

Annelle Adams
Health Services Coordinator
512.327.1166- phone
512.306.8720- fax
aadams@sstx.org

We recommend the websites listed below for more information on preparing for the novel influenza A H1N1 virus:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/influenza.html

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/prevention/cold_flu

Annelle Adams, Director
Carolyn Siebenlist
Marsha Caven (Part-time)
Gretchen Inman (Part-time)
Colleen O'Heren
Bobbie Talley

Physical Exam Report (returning 9th and 11th grade students)- This mandatory form must be printed, completed by a physician on behalf of all returning students entering the ninth grade. If your child is a returning 11th grade student who is planning on playing a sport at SSES, this form must also be completed by a physician.

A physical exam is optional for all 7th grade students. However vision, hearing and scoliosis screenings are required for returning students in the 7th grade. It is optional for parents to have their physician performs vision, hearing and scoliosis screening on their child. If the vision, hearing and scoliosis screenings are not completed, the St. Stephen's medical staff will administer the screenings at a charge of $20 per test during the 7 th grade year.

Immunizations - All SSES students must have a current immunization record on file. If you are a returning student, you will be notified by the Healthcenter if your current record is not complete. Please send a physician's copy of any new immunizations your child may obtain to the Healthcenter to keep your file updated.

American secondary schools require that no student shall be admitted to a school without appropriate certification of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, rubella, mumps, chicken pox and hepatitis B. It is also required that each student have a tuberculin skin test.

If you are a boarder and have not had these vaccinations/tests, you must either receive them before you leave your home country or receive them from the St. Stephen's school physician at an extra charge within 30 days of arrival on campus.

The following vaccinations are required for all SSES students, unless designated boarder only:

1. DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Tetanus
   You must have received three (3) or more doses of DPT, with the last dose being a booster and having been received on or after the fourth (4th) birthday. If ten (10) Years have elapsed since the last booster, a tetanus, diphtheria (TD) is required.
   
   
2. Polio
   You must have received three (3) or more doses of Trivalent Oral Polio (Sabin) Vaccine (TOPV), with the last dose being a booster and having been received on or after the fourth (4th) birthday. The first two (2) doses must be separated by at least six weeks. A series of Inactivated Polio Virus (Salk) Vaccine (IPV) and appropriate boosters may be substituted for vaccination with the TOPV at the direction of a physician.
   
   
3. Measles
   You must have received two (2) doses of Live Measles Virus Vaccine. The first dose must be after one (1) year of age, and the second no less than one month later. A proof of disease, verified with the date of illness and signed by a physician, or laboratory evidence of any detectable level of antibody is acceptable instead of immunization.
   
   
4. Rubella (German Measles)
   You must have received one (1) Rubella vaccination after one (1) year of age. Proof of disease is not acceptable unless laboratory evidence is presented with any detectable level of antibody.
   
   
5. Mumps
   You must have received one (1) Mumps vaccination after one (1) year of age. Proof of the disease verified by a physician is acceptable instead of immunization.
   
   
6. Chicken Pox
   You must have had a vaccination or proof of disease from a laboratory with any detectable level of antibody. Parents may fill out the form below to verify your child's date of chickenpox or varicella disease.
   
   
7. Hepatitis B
   This vaccination requires a series of three shots administered over an extended period of time. After the first shot, the second shot should be administered one month later. The third shot should be administered six months after the first shot is received. Please make arrangements as soon as possible to begin this process.
   
   
8. Meningitis- REQUIRED FOR BOARDING STUDENTS
   This vaccination is not required for day students; however, with the new CDC ruling, boarding students are required to receive this vaccination. If the parent wishes, the school will arrange this important immunization for any boarder if they have not received this vaccine upon arrival to campus. However, there is a charge for this vaccine.
   
   
9. Tuberculosis – REQUIRED FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY
   In addition to required vaccinations, you must have a tuberculosis (TB) skin test using the Intradermal Mantoux Method – not a multiple puncture test – within ninety (90) days prior to the opening of the school, unless you have had a negative test result within the last year. If you have had a positive skin test or have received BCG within the last five years, a copy of the CXR report (x-ray) is required.