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School Sunscreen Policy Has Mom Seeing Red

June 26, 2012

Jesse Michener was burning mad when her two fair-skinned daughters returned home from a school field trip with severe sunburns and blisters and learned that school representatives refused to allow her children to apply sunscreen. The youngest of her two girls, 9 year old Zoe, actually suffers from a form of albinism, emphasizing her sensitivity to the sun. Click here to watch the full report by NBC’s Natalie Morales.

Michener said that it was raining the morning her kids left the house, so she didn’t make them put on any sun protection, but by the afternoon, the rain had cleared, and the sun was beating down on all of the kids attending the school outing.

The Tacoma, Washington elementary school policy states that a doctor’s note is required before any medication can be administered to a student, and sunscreen is no exception. This regulation even denies the actual student the right to apply sunscreen to themselves!

Dan Voelpel, a spokesman for the Tacoma School District, cited additives that cause allergic reactions as a reason for the policy. This same policy is in effect in a total of 49 states in the country and catches many parents by surprise.

Michener said she was completely unaware of the regulation,and felt secure that the school would take appropriate actions, if needed. Now she is writing letters to the administration and pleading for a policy change.

If you have similar medical concerns regarding your children while they are attending academic, or any other social functions, make sure to research the policies of that organization and protect your child, even if a doctor’s note is required.

By: Darrin Clouse

Written by Darrin Clouse · Filed Under Featured