Nancy Tullis, RN, is the school nurse for Alternative Classes and TEP (Therapeutic Education Program). Both educational programs are housed at the Klein ISD Annex building. Call (832) 249-4805 to contact the school nurse.

If any medication should be dispensed at school, parents must complete and sign the Medication Authorization Form and bring the medicine to school in its original pharmacy container. Parents are responsible for transfer of medications from home and other district campuses; school personnel and students cannot transfer or transport medications. Also, medications are not sent home with students. Students cannot report to school in possession of any medication, prescribed or over the counter, without following these procedures. Violation could result in further disciplinary action or expulsion from school.

Reye's syndrome is a serious disease that can occur when someone with a viral illness such as the flu or chicken pox takes a product that contains aspirin. The syndrome usually presents itself as the person is recovering form the viral illness. The main targets of this illness are the liver and brain. Reye's syndrome is not contagious and is often misdiagnosed. Symptoms of Reye's syndrome are continuous vomiting, listlessness, drowsiness, personality changes, confusion, combativeness, delirium, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Suspect Reye's syndrome in anyone who vomits continuously after using products that contain aspirin. Seek immediate medical care for anyone exhibiting these symptoms.

Many products contain aspirin. Read medication labels carefully looking for ingredients such as acetylsalicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, calculate, and aspirin. Products containing these ingredients should be avoided during episodes of any viral illness. While Reye's syndrome can affect people at any age, the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation, the U.S. Surgeon General, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin not be taken by anyone under 19 years of age during fever-causing illnesses. For more information, visit the Klein ISD Health Services Web site, contact your school nurse, or visit the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation Web site at www.reyessyndrome.org.

Health insurance coverage can benefit students and their families. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is designed by the state of Texas for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance for their children. CHIP provides eligible children with coverage for a full range of health services. Contact the school nurse for a CHIP application.

Documents that will verify CHIP application information are: a birth certificate and Social Security number for each child, a recent paycheck stub from all family members who work, or the family's last year's W-2 tax form. To verify cash income, a dated and signed letter from an employer is required. The proof letter must include the worker's name, the amount earned, and how often the person is paid.

In addition, all students in Klein ISD have the opportunity for secondary accidental medical coverage.