Regulation JGCC-R: Infectious Diseases

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (STUDENTS)

When a student has or is a carrier of a communicable disease which may pose a substantial threat to the health or safety of the school community, or where the principal of the school has a reasonable basis for suspecting that a student has or is a carrier of such a disease, the Superintendent or designee should require a medical evaluation of the student. The evaluation should address the nature of the disease, the nature and extent of any threat it poses to the health or safety of the school community, and measures that could be taken to eliminate or reduce any such threat, and any medical grounds for removing the student from school or otherwise restricting the student's attendance at school. If the Superintendent or designee deems a medical evaluation to be appropriate, it may be conducted by the student's physician, by public health personnel, or other medical experts selected by the Superintendent or designee. The Superintendent or designee may remove the student from school during the evaluation period.

Upon completion of the medical evaluation, the Educational Support Team shall be convened to review the medical report and to consider the student's educational needs. The Educational Support Team, composed of a representative from Services for Exceptional Children, the student's principal, and a teacher shall invite the participation of the student's parent or guardian, and, where appropriate, the student's physician, public health personnel, and other medical experts. If, on the basis of the evaluation, the Educational Support Team determines that a student has or is a carrier of a dangerous communicable disease and that unrestricted attendance of such student would pose a substantial threat to the health or safety of the school community, the Educational Support Team shall determine whether an alternative educational program should be made available to the student. Decisions regarding an appropriate alternative educational program should be based on the length of the student's expected absence from school; the student's physical condition, behavior, and neuralgic development; the expected type of interaction with others and the risks and benefits to the student and to others from such interaction; the wishes of the parent/guardian and student; legal requirements; and other relevant factors. Reevaluation shall be conducted at least every school year.

If, on the basis of the evaluation, the Educational Support Team determines that the student's unrestricted attendance at school would not pose a substantial threat to the health or safety of the school community, the student shall be permitted to attend. The Educational Support Team may take whatever measures it deems appropriate to facilitate the student's attendance.

In appropriate cases, the Educational Support Team may arrange for information about the communicable disease at issue to be made available to the community and may take other steps to address community concerns.

All notices, reports, actions, hearings, and decisions that contain personally identifiable information about a student who has or who is reasonably suspected of having or being a carrier of a dangerous communicable disease shall be strictly confidential. The personnel who are made aware of the student's condition shall be kept to a minimum for those requiring that information needed to ensure proper care of the student and to detect situations where the potential for transmission of the disease may increase.

Each student shall follow routine procedures for handling blood and other body fluids, regardless of whether any students with dangerous communicable diseases are known to be in attendance. Teachers, administrators, and other employees should be educated about such procedures and their importance.

Cleanup and Handling of Body Fluids or Matter

When it is necessary to clean up or handle any blood, body fluids, vomit, fecal matter, or urine, the following practices should be observed:

1. Disposable gloves should be worn during the cleaning process.

2. Surfaces soiled with the above substances should be promptly disinfected using a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) or other similar strong disinfectant.

3. Whenever possible, disposable towels, tissues, or other materials should be used in the cleaning process. These disposable materials should then be placed in a plastic bag and discarded.

4. After use, disposable cleaning equipment and materials, such as towels and mops, should also be disinfected with the bleach solution or other disinfectant.

5. Those who are cleaning should avoid exposure of open skin lesions or mucous membranes to the blood or body fluids.

6. Persons involved in the cleanup should thoroughly wash their hands afterwards.

These measures should be adopted as standard procedure for each and every spill of body fluids or matter. Similar practices are being adopted by many health agencies because of the potential for transmission of communicable diseases. Adoption of these guidelines will make the school a safer environment for students and staff.