• District Nursing Services, Information & Resources

     

    December 2022 Winter Break

     

    2022-2023 School Health News Letters

    COVID -19

    Cold and Flu virus

    Important reminder for parents/guardians of MPS students

    Please update contact information to be accurate at all times in the event of an illness or emergency at school! Phone numbers and email addresses can change, so please contact your child(ren)'s school(s) to update contact information whenever there is a change.

     

    School Health Services

    School health services is the link between the complex systems of education and health. In partnership with parents and staff, school nurses identify and assist in removing health-related barriers to learning and academic success. The ability of a child to learn is directly related to their health.

    We are here to provide whatever nursing assistance is necessary that would allow for a child to adequately access the curriculum. Please feel free to call your child’s school nurse with any concerns especially if their health status has changed, they have been diagnosed with a serious/contagious illness or injury or will be absent. 

     

    Emergencies

    If a child becomes ill at school, a parent/guardian must pick him/her up. There must be current emergency numbers for parents and contact information for those who can be responsible for a child if a parent cannot be reached or is unable to pick the child up. Please update the school whenever your contact information changes.

     

    Medication Policy

    In conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Board of Registration of Nursing and in collaborating with our school physician, the MPS Medication Policy is highlighted as follows:

    All medications required to be given during school hours, including inhalers and epi-pens and ANY over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, ibuprofen, cough drops etc., require a written order from a physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant or dentist. This order can be faxed to the nurse’s office. For short-term (10 days) medications like antibiotics, the pharmacy label may be used in lieu of an order.

    Parents must sign a Medication Administration and Permission Form. This form gives the school nurse or school personnel designate permission to give the prescribed medication.  This includes medication required during field trips.

    All medication must be delivered to the school nurse by a parent or an adult designated by a parent. All medication must be in a properly labeled pharmacy container. Students are not permitted to transport medications to and from school.

    The exceptions to the above are those students who must carry critical medications such as insulin, inhalers or epi-pens and who have the written permission of physician, parent and school nurse to transport medication.

    Strict compliance with this policy will be followed by the school nurse. See the link at left for contact information for all school nurses.

     

    Illness/Contagious Disease Policy

    Students should not come to school if they are ill.  They should be fever free for 24 hours without medication.

    • Streptococcal infections 24 hours after teatment with appropriate antibiotic.
    • Impetigo 24 hours after initiation of treatment with appropriate antibiotic topical or oral medication.
    • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) 24 hours after initiation of treatment with appropriate ointment or drops.
    • Ringwork 24 hours after initiation of treatment with appropriate topical medication.
    • Scabies 24 hours after initiation of treatment with appropriate topical medication.
    • Pediculosis (head lice) until seen by the school nurse.
    • Influenza like illness (flu) 24 hours without fever (without the use of fever reducing medications, such as Tylenol, Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin) and student should feel well enough to attend school.

     

    Pediculosis - Head Lice

    A doctor’s note is needed upon return to school for the following:

    • Surgery
    • Concussion (see: athletic concussion policy, head injury reporting form, post head injury clearance form)
    • Hospitalizations
    • Rash of unknown origin
    • Fracture/Sprain – crutches, casts, sling

    The note should state any limitations and accommodations necessary for class, gym and recess attendance.

     

     

    Required State Mandates

    Please see the link (below) for important information regarding immunization requirements.

     Click here for link to Immunization Schedule