Washington Elementary

The safety of our children is a primary responsibility shared by parents and the school. Children are instructed not to accept things from a stranger or get into a stranger's car. Children riding bicycles or scooters should be especially cautioned regarding hazards. Students must wear bike helmets. The following rules should be reviewed with all bicycle riders:

• Bicycles/scooters must be in a safe operating condition (brakes, steering, etc.).
• Bicycles/scooters must be locked and properly placed in the racks.
• Bicycles/scooters may not be ridden on the school grounds or on the sidewalks in front of the school during school hours.
• Bicycles/scooters are not to be loaned or borrowed during the school day.

Please remind your child to cross streets only at corners or in crosswalks.  Running between parked or idling cars is extremely dangerous.

When picking up your child and parking across the street from school, please walk with your child to ensure his/her safety. Please do not call for them to run across the street to a waiting vehicle without being escorted. Please be courteous and use safety precautions when picking up your child. When you are in a hurry, please be especially cautious. Also, double parking is NOT permitted and creates a dangerous situation for drivers and students traveling to and from school.

In accordance with Education Code Section 11710, San Leandro offers an opportunity for parents to purchase insurance protection for their children enrolled in our schools.  This plan provides for most accidents and medical costs incurred while the student is traveling to school, during school or while students are participating in school sponsored activities either at or away from school.

Safety is one of our greatest concerns. At Washington, we use the disaster drill format each month in order to practice disaster readiness. Each child and adult at Washington should know what to do in such emergencies as fire, flood or earthquake regardless of the time of day or location. All staff members at Washington are also trained in their specific responsibilities during disasters. Families are requested to discuss such emergencies which could occur in their homes as well as at school.

Also, please read and sign the Emergency Card available at the school office or through the classroom teacher.  Make any changes to the cards and return these items back to the school immediately. All new parents should have completed the Emergency Card along with their registration forms. Please update the cards regularly to reflect any changes in phone numbers or emergency contacts.

Without nurses on site, the staff at Washington administers ice packs and Band-Aids for minor injuries. Every classroom has a first aid kit and every yard duty staff member is also prepared to take care of some minor cuts and scrapes. When more serious injuries or head injuries occur we contact parents by phone. If an emergency arises and we are unable to reach you, we will contact all numbers you have listed on your emergency cards. Therefore it is very important to keep us updated.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse Maureen Shapiro P.H.N. at (510) 618-4350 x3335

It is strongly encouraged that children take necessary medication outside of school hours.  If, however, a physician requires prescription or nonprescription medication during school hours, medication forms can be picked up in the school office.  This form must be completed by both the doctor and the parent before the school can assist the child with his/her medication. Medication must be brought to the school office in the original prescription container.  School law allows designated school personnel to assist students who must take medication, prescription or over the counter during the school hours. In accordance with the California Education Code 49423 the school must have the following:

• A written statement from the child's physician that includes:
  • the name of the medication
  • the dosage to be given
  • the time of day
  • duration of the medication order
  • possible side effects
(Authorization forms are available in the school office.)

The supply of medication should be brought to the school by the parent or guardian in a container labeled by the pharmacist. Label must include student's name, doctor's name, name and dosage of medication and expiration date.  Any changes in dosage or time of administration must be verified, in writing, by the physician.

Students in kindergarten, second and fifth grade will be tested for hearing. Students in kindergarten and fifth grade will be tested for vision. All new students will be tested for both hearing and vision. Any students who are referred for any reason will also be tested.

Each child must have a health examination within the 18 months prior to the first grade.

Please do not send your child to school if your child has symptoms of illness (fever over 100.1, bright green mucus, vomiting or diarrhea). Washington School does not have the facilities to take care of children who are ill.  Please contact the school office to report if your child has a communicable disease. This will help us to be alert for signs of illness, etc. in other children and to notify parents of a communicable health outbreak.

Your child will enjoy school and be better able to learn if he/she is well. It is important that children avoid unnecessary exposure to the many viruses (flu and colds) that abound during the year. If your child becomes seriously ill, runs a very high fever or you are concerned, please contact your doctor.

Please keep your child home from school if he/she has one of the following:

• a runny nose when the mucus is thick and green
• severe congestion that interferes with breathing or if wheezing
• a rash
• fever
• severe stomach aches or cramps
• Pink Eye
• Lice

If home ill, please keep your child home for 24 hours after he / she has recovered from any of the following conditions:

• vomiting and diarrhea
• elevated temperature -­ wait 24 hours after the last aspirin or Tylenol is given
• other obvious illnesses

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse Maureen Shapiro P.H.N. at (510) 618-4350 x3335