Health issues, Medications
Medications

According to school board policy chaperones are prohibited from dispensing any medication, even for headaches. Students are prohibited from sharing medication.

Some students have medical issues like severe allergies to food/bees, diabetes or
asthma that can result in a medical emergency on campus.

It is the parent's responsibility to make to inform the band director/chaperone coordinator(s) about any medical issues ahead of time, and provide the student with any necessary remedies. The appropriate paperwork must be on file with the school main office -- here's what the school website says and the authorization form


It is the student's responsibility
to have quick access to those remedies at all times. (e.g. in case of allergy, the Epi-pen must be outside on the field with the student, not secure
in their band locker.) Chaperones will gladly store the supplies for the student under the shade tent during outside rehearsals.

If even one student has a medical emergency, it affects the functioning and morale of the entire band. With a little planning and communication, we can make sure that all students remain healthy and on their feet.


Sun Safety

Marching Band requires long hours in the intense FL sun. We want you to protect your long-term health. The American Cancer Society says the people in their 20's are now reporting skin cancer, it used to occur in people in their 30's. Skin cancer can be caused by extended mild sun contact, which is nothing compared to what your skin is being subjected to.

People who are MOST vulnerable are those who have the following: fair skin, light eyes, red or blonde hair, freckles, moles. However, even dark-skinned people are vulnerable because of the amount of time spent outside and the high UV index of the FL sun.

What we know:
-- Skin cancer is caused by years of accumulated sun damage.
-- There are two main types of UV rays. In general, UV-A rays reach deeper into your skin and cause cancer and wrinkles. They are just as strong on cloudy days and through glass. UV-B rays are the ones that cause sunburns.
--There is no safe level of tanning. If you are browning, developing freckles or your freckles are getting darker, that means your skin is getting zapped and reacting.
-- Best ways to protect against sun damage are to stay out of the sun (impossible for the Marching Ram),  wear sunscreen and cover up.

To repeat: the two things you can do are to wear sunscreen and cover up skin. We take this very seriously --
we expect all students to take the following precautions
:

1. Apply sunscreen for the 3-5:30 rehearsal. Arms, legs, face ears, back of the neck.
  The sunscreen needs 3 qualifications:
          --- It must say "Broad spectrum" (protects against UV-A and UV-B rays)
          --- It must be SPF 45 or higher
          --- It must contain avobenzone (Parsol 1789) and mexoryl.
Check the expiration date -- sunscreen is very perishable!

2. Cover up. Wear a broad-rimmed hat that covers your ears. Sunglasses.

Remember that UV rays are just as intense on cloudy days and in the evening. We love you. Please do not put yourself at risk for future skin cancer! Learn more:
Link 1  Link 2  Link 3


Nutrition for the Marching Ram

The truth about dairy:
Some students are still under the mistaken impression that they should avoid dairy for breakfast. This is true ONLY for students who are lactose-intolerant. (Their bodies cannot break down the enzymes in dairy.)
More info
on being lactose intolerant.

If you can usually drink milk or have yogurt without gas, cramps or nausea, your body does fine with dairy. You can safely include milk,
yogurt and cheese as valuable parts of your healthy breakfast. They provide the protein and energy that you need for an active day.  


Recommendations for breakfast/snacking:
Excellent article on nutrition by one of our own parents

Especially for Drumline -- protect your hearing

Wear earscrews, especially for indoor practices. These lessen the volume (attenuate it)  but don't block out the sound like foam earplugs or distort it. Very important for indoor rehearsals. Once the little hair cells in your ears get flattened by loud sound, they never stand up again!Who knew!  Learn more: Link 1   Link 2  Link 3