The health and safety of all Clark Fork School children is our top priority. We strictly follow our sickness exclusion policy.

Clark Fork School will designate a staff member to check the daily health status of each child immediately upon that child’s entry into Clark Fork School.

Clark Fork School will exclude any child or staff member with an illness until symptoms have resolved, adequate treatment has been received, or a health care provider states that the person is noninfectious. The following symptoms or illnesses require exclusion:

(a) a fever of 100.4°F; Children should be without fever for 24 hours before returning to school. Thus, a fever one afternoon means no school the next morning, even if your child appears to feel fine.

(b) diarrhea; Children should not return until symptoms have subsided for 24 hours.  If your child has these symptoms one afternoon, he or she may not attend school the following day.

(c) vomiting; Children should not return until symptoms have subsided for 24 hours.  If your child has these symptoms one afternoon, he or she may not attend school the following day.

(d) mouth sores with drooling, if unable to contain drool, and a healthcare provider provides written documentation that this is a noninfectious condition;

(e) a rash with fever or behavioral change or a rash that is quickly spreading and a healthcare provider provides documentation that this is a noninfectious condition;

(f) active tuberculosis, exclusion for 3 weeks and a healthcare provider provides documentation that the person is noninfectious and can return;

(g) group A strep pharyngitis (strep throat) until the person appears well and at least 24 hours after beginning appropriate antimicrobial therapy; 

(h) impetigo, until treatment has been initiated for 24 hours and if lesions on exposed skin are covered with a waterproof dressing;

(i) head lice, scabies, or ringworm, until symptoms have been treated for 24 hours. 

(j) chickenpox (varicella), 21 days and until sores have dried or crusted and with written documentation from a healthcare provider stating the child is noninfectious.  Clark Fork School will not purposefully expose children to chickenpox, even with the permission of the child's parents/guardians;

(k) rubella, until 28 days after the rash appears with written documentation from a healthcare provider that that the person is noninfectious and can return.  Clark Fork School will not purposefully expose children to rubella, even with the permission of the child's parents/guardians;

(l) pertussis, until 10 days after antibiotic treatment is initiated and written documentation from a healthcare provider stating that the person is noninfectious and can return to school.  Clark Fork School will not purposefully expose children to pertussis, even with the permission of the child's parents/guardians;

(m) mumps, until 28 days after onset of parotid gland swelling and written documentation is provided from a healthcare provider stating that the person is noninfectious and can return to school.  Clark Fork School will not purposefully expose children to mumps, even with the permission of the child's parents/guardians;

(n) measles, until 28 days after onset of rash and written documentation provided from a healthcare provider stating that the person is noninfectious and can return to school.  Clark Fork School will not purposefully expose children to measles, even with the permission of the child's parents/guardians;

(o) hepatitis A, 2 weeks after onset of illness and written documentation from a healthcare provider is provided stating that the person is noninfectious and can return to school.  Clark Fork School will not purposefully expose children to hepatitis A, even with the permission of the child's parents/guardians;

(p) shigellosis, salmonella, or E. coli, until a local health authority clears the person for readmission;

Children and staff must be excluded from all child care facilities, and a health care provider must evaluate the conditions to ensure the person's return will not harm that person or the other people, when a child or staff:

(q) has symptoms of severe illness, such as fever with behavior change, lethargy, uncontrolled coughing, breathing difficulty or wheezing, stiff neck, irritability, persistent crying, poor food or fluid intake, progressive rash with any other symptoms, or a seizure; or

(r) has persistent abdominal pain for two or more hours, or intermittent abdominal pain associated with fever, dehydration, or other signs or symptoms of illness.  Written documentation from a healthcare provider stating the person is not contagious is required to return to school;

A child or staff member does not need to be excluded, but a child's parents/guardians will be notified of new onset, for minor illnesses or symptoms including:

(s) a runny nose or cough not accompanied by a fever;

(t) pinkeye or other eye discharge not accompanied by fever; 

(u) rash without behavior change or fever and that is not quickly spreading.

 If a child develops symptoms of any illness other than those included above while at Clark Fork School and after the parents/guardians have left, the child care provider must:

- isolate the child immediately from other children in a room or area segregated for that purpose; and

- contact and inform the parents/guardians as soon as possible about the illness and request they pick up the child. Please pick up your child within one half hour (30 minutes) of the call, using our main phone number to contact the office and notify them of your plans. In the case of a serious injury, we will notify parents/guardians immediately and will call 911 for treatment.

Clark Fork School will notify the local health authority, on the same day or as soon as possible if no contact can be made the same day, if:

- a child becomes ill or is suspected of having a communicable disease reportable to the health department while  at school;

- a child is absent and a reportable communicable disease is suspected; or

- there is an outbreak of any reportable communicable disease detected in a child care facility.

All students must be symptom free for at least 24 hours before returning to school. This policy will be strictly enforced, as it helps us keep all of the students and community members healthy. 

We appreciate you letting us know if your child is sick and will not be attending school, particularly if he or she has a contagious illness. Please use our regular school telephone number to leave this message. In the case of any communicable disease or condition identified among Clark Fork School students, the Director will post signs and distribute written information describing the nature of the condition, symptoms to watch for, and precautions to take.

Immunizations

As a licensed center, Clark Fork School is required to keep records of all our children’s immunization histories, and all enrolled children in all programs must be fully immunized in accordance with Montana law.

First Aid Policy and Emergency Procedures

A prompt and effective response to any emergency situation will be followed by all staff members.  Training in emergency response and procedures are mandatory for all staff and we will teach children how to respond quickly and safely when directed by caregivers. 

This policy was developed because emergency situations can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone and because a calm and orderly response to an emergency can prevent further harm to all involved. This policy was developed to prepare staff and children for medical, environmental, and all other types of emergencies.  Our First Aid Policy includes the following:

  • All staff are trained in First Aid and CPR.

  • There is a First Aid kit in each classroom that is checked monthly and restocked with contents prescribed by licensing and the American Red Cross.  An Emergency First Aid kit is taken on all field trips outside our facility.

  • Emergency contact information for each child is maintained in the child’s file in the office.  Each classroom also has a copy of their students’ information and it is taken with the Emergency First Aid kit on all field trips.

  • Emergency phone numbers are posted by each phone.  This includes Poison Control, 911, police, fire, and closest Emergency Room number.

  • A detailed and comprehensive Crisis Management Plan is on file in the director’s office.

  • A report will be made to the State Licensing office within 24 hours of any injury or illness requiring hospitalization, emergency transport or treatment of a child, and of any environmental emergency including, but not limited to fire.  A copy of any such report will be given to the parents/guardians and a copy will be on file in the office.

  • Parents/guardians may not provide first aid to other students unless they are a certified medical provider or at the specific request of a teacher.

This policy applies to all staff, children, and volunteers at Clark Fork School.

Should an emergency or disaster situation ever arise in our area while school is in session, we want you to be aware that the school has made preparations to respond effectively to such situations. In the event of an emergency during school hours, your child(ren) will be cared for at Clark Fork School. Your cooperation is necessary in any emergency.

  1. Do not telephone the school. Telephone lines may be needed for emergency communication. Important information will be communicated with families by email or by a separate telephone line.

  2. In the event of a serious emergency, students will be kept at school until they are picked up by an identified adult listed as an emergency pick-up on their Emergency Contact Form. 

  3. An emergency requiring the complete evacuation of Clark Fork School (e.g. fire, broken gas main, winter power outage), children will be taken to Rattlesnake School, located a few blocks north of Clark Fork School at 1220 Pineview Drive. Teachers will call parents’/guardian’s daytime phone numbers as listed on the children’s emergency contact forms and children should be picked up as soon as possible.

  4. Turn to your radio for emergency announcements.


Medication Administration Policy

This medication policy was developed so that medications will be administered in a safe and expedient manner that protects children and staff.  Administering medication is based on parent/guardian consent and the child’s health care provider recommendations.  

We believe children should be given medication, when needed, in the safest possible way for the child, parent/guardian, and providers.  Since most children attend six hours or less a day, most over-the-counter medications can be given by the parent/guardian before and after school.  We encourage parents/guardians to time dosages so that bringing medicine to school is not necessary.  However, CFS teachers will administer medication when it is medically necessary when the parent’s/guardian’s work schedule prevents them from giving it.    

Clark Fork School does not provide or stock any medications.  All medications administered at CFS will be provided by the parent/guardian for their own child.  If a student must be given medication, the following policies will be adhered to:  

  • Non-prescription or prescription medication will ONLY be administered when we have the parent’s/guardian’s signed consent and a health care provider’s prescription or written recommendation that a specific medicine is given to a specific child.  If the parent(s)/guardian(s) refuse to sign or fail to provide the health care provider’s prescription or recommendation, the medication will not be administered.

  • A medication log sheet will be kept in each child’s chart where a parental/guardian signature is required each time a medication is needed.  The staff person administering the medication will immediately record the date, time, medication, and dose and sign his/her name on the medication log.  Medication logs are part of the child’s personal health history.  

  • Prescription medication must be in the original child-proof container labeled by a pharmacist with the child’s name, the name of the medication, the date the prescription was filled, the name of the health care provider who wrote the prescription, the medication’s expiration date, and the administration, storage, and disposal instructions.  Over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications must also be in their original child-proof container labeled with the child’s first and last name, specific legible instructions for administration and storage supplied by the manufacturer, and the name of the health care provider who recommended the medication.

  • Only staff trained in medication administration will give medication.

  • A health care provider may state that a certain medication may be given for a recurring problem, emergency situation, or chronic condition.  The instructions for such a medication must include the child’s name, the name of the medication, the dose of the medication, how often the medication may be given, the conditions for use, and any precautions to follow.

  • Medications will be stored at the recommended temperature, in a child proof container, in a place inaccessible to children.  Medication will be administered in the area where it is stored.

  • Expired medication will be disposed of in the recommended manner.

This policy applies to all children, parents, guardians, and providers.

Parents/guardians will be notified if their child suffers any side effects from medication, or if a medication error or incident occurred.  A medication error/incident report will be completed by the staff person administering medication and co-signed by the director.  In the event of an adverse effect or serious allergic reaction, staff will call (EMS) 911 if the child is in distress.  

Child Abuse Neglect Policy and Reporting

In all 50 states “mandated reporting laws” exist for certain individuals who work with children. Child care providers, preschool and school teachers, social workers, and health professionals are among those who are required by law to report any suspected case of abuse or neglect.


Food Allergy Precautions

If your child has a food or other severe allergy, please make a note on your health form and make sure the teachers are aware of the condition. Parents/guardians of these students are responsible for educating staff members and parents/guardians about necessary precautions. We ask all families to respect these guidelines.

Parents/Guardians will be notified at the beginning of the school year if your child’s classroom has any food restrictions. We have a strict “no share” policy in our classrooms. However, depending on the severity of the allergy and the abilities of the classroom to engage in safe food practices, it may be necessary to exclude certain food items. We take food allergies very seriously and ask our community to work together to ensure the safety of all our students. 


Nutrition Guidelines

Clark Fork School does not provide food. We require parents/guardians to pack a healthy lunch and enough snacks to last their child all day, however long that day may be. Our teachers will help students make good choices for eating healthy foods before treats and encourage children to eat enough food to give their body the energy it needs. 

According to State Licensing requirements, the following items constitute a nutritionally sound meal. 

  • “Lunch and supper for children who are between one and 12 years old must include one serving of meat or meat alternate, two vegetables or two fruits or one vegetable and one fruit, one serving of bread or bread alternate, or fluid milk.”

  • “Snacks for children who are between one and 12 years old must include two of the following four food components: meat or meat alternate, fruit of vegetable or 100% fruit or vegetable juice, bread or bread alternate, or fluid milk.”