School Nurse

• If they have a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Do not have your child return to school until 24 hours fever free without the use of ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• If they are vomiting or have frequent episodes of diarrhea with or without a fever.  Please do not have them return to school until 24 hours have passed without vomiting/diarrhea
• If their eye is red with cloudy or yellow/green drainage (pink eye).  Recommended to call their pediatrician during office hours.  If an eye ointment is prescribed your student may return to school 24 hours after treatment began and improvement of symptoms.  Hand washing should occur frequently.  
• If your child complains of a severe sore throat with or without fever.  Recommended to call the child's pediatrician during office hours.  If an antibiotic is prescribed, please do not have your child return to school until 24 hours after treatment began and improvement of symptoms.  Do not share drinks/food.

If you are unsure if you should send your child to school or not, please contact your child's physician for further guidance. 

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  It can cause mild to severe illness.  If you believe your student may have the flu, please keep them home and contact your school nurse and school physician.

Flu Symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, through this is more common in children than adults

Teach your child flu prevention:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or at least 60% alcohol based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching face, eyes, nose and mouth.  Germs spread this way. 
• Receive your annual flu vaccine by the end of October.
• Stay home when sick and keep physical distance from others.  Only leave your house to receive medical care or if symptoms are life threatening.
• Cough/Sneeze into the cusp of your elbow or tissue.  Throw tissue away once soiled and wash your hands. 
• Stay home until you have improvement of symptoms and have been without a fever for 24 hours without the use of ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

For more information about the flu please visit:  CDC Flu & Flu Guide for Parents

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.  Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases.  Coronaviruses are generally spread through respiratory secretions (droplets from coughs and sneezes) of an infected person to another person. 

COVID-19 Symptoms for K-12 Schools:

• Fever equal or greater than 100^oF and/or chills
• Muscle/body aches
• Headache, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, when in combination with other symptoms
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
• Runny nose or congestion (not from allergies), when in combination with other symptoms
• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
• Loss of taste and/or smell

Prevention: 

• Stay home when sick, notify the school nurse.  Only leave your house to receive medical treatment
• Wash your hands with soap and water or at least 60% alcohol based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes.  Germs spread this way.

If you have respiratory symptoms:
If you have new symptoms of a respiratory virus, such as a fever, sore throat, cough or a runny or stuffy nose, you should stay home and stay away from others in your household.

While you are staying at home:

• Get tested for COVID-19 and flu. Talk to your pediatrician about getting treatment if you test positive.
• Stay away from others in your household. Wear a mask when you have to be around them.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
• Clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.
• You should stay home from school even if you don’t know what virus is making you sick.

When you start to feel better:
You may begin to resume normal activities and return to school with precautions if:

• You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; AND
• Your other symptoms are improving
• You may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better.

For at least the first 5 days after you resume normal activities and return to school, take these extra precautions:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people 
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease

• Can't recall events prior to or after a hit or fall
• Appears dazed or stunned
• Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment
• Moves clumsily
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes
• Headache or "pressure" in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance Problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision
• Bothered by light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy
• Confusion, or concentration or memory problems
• Just not "feeling right", or "feeling down"

If any of these symptoms worsen, get medical help right away.

Helpful Resource for Parents:  CDC Heads Up

If your child is diagnosed with a concussion, please notify the school nurse so your child can be provided the appropriate accommodations while in the classroom.  Please note, the school nurse must receive medical clearance from your child's physician before they can return to play.  Please see the form below. 

 

 

• Pre-Participation Head Injury/Concussion Reporting Form for Extracurricular Activities
• Post Sports-Related Head Injury Medical Clearance and Authorization Form
• Report of Head Injury During Sports Season Form
• Sports Physical

• A physician's order that includes name of medication, dose, frequency and any known side effects.
• Medication in its original pharmacy labeled container.  No more than a 30 day supply.  Delivered by parent/guardian or an adult 18 years or older designated by parent/guardian.  Students are not allowed to deliver medications to the nurse.
• Parental consent form complete
• Medication Administration Plan signed by both parent and school nurse

Over the counter medications are administered by the school nurse under the school nurse's discretion and school physician's standing orders, along with parental permission.  OTC (over the counter) medications will not be administered without a parental permission form on file in the school nurse's office (see form below).

**All medications must be picked up by a parent/guardian, before the close of the school year.

All medications that are not picked up by the close of school will be destroyed 7 days from the last day of school

 

Please click here for medication administration plan and consent form

Please click here for Asthma Action Plan

Please click here for Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan

Please click here for Seizure Safety Plan Acknowledgement

This form must be filled out for all students prior to the first day of school.

Please click here for emergency healthy form

Please click here for the Massachusetts School Health Record - Health Care Provider's Examination Form