Student Handbook - Medical and Health Information

Medical and Health Information  

Wellness Policy 

Please be sure to read the complete AWRSD Wellness Policy on the district website: www.awrsd.org. We have included a portion of the policy in reference  to nutritious foods served in our district. “We continue to promote the availability of nutritious selections and discourage the sale and consumption of  beverages and foods of low nutritional value during regular school hours.” Our policy does not set specific food restrictions, but we are recommending that  you make “healthy choices” when sending in food with your child whether it be for lunch, snack, or classroom celebrations. Please reference this website for  an extensive list of acceptable foods/snacks that are healthy: www.johnstalkerinstitute.org. Please support the AWRSD Wellness Policy by encouraging  healthy eating habits. 

Food Allergies 

Due to the prevalence of food allergies among school-aged children, please check with your child’s teacher when sending snacks into the  classroom for special celebrations. If your child has a food allergy of any type, please inform us immediately. We are a peanut/tree nut aware building. We  thank you for your continued cooperation to help keep all of our food allergic students safe.  

Immunizations 

Massachusetts General Law requires all students enrolled in school to have an up-to-date Certificate of Immunization before they attend classes. This form  can be obtained from the student’s personal physician. Check with the school nurse for the current list of mandatory immunizations. If immunizations are  NOT up to date, then your child will be EXCLUDED from school until the appropriate immunizations are acquired. If there is a medical reason your child is  not immunized, please submit a letter annually from your child’s physician stating the medical reason. If your child is not properly immunized for religious  reasons, please submit a formal letter to the school stating so.

 

Medication Policy 

The AWRSD has a policy to ensure the health and safety of students needing medication during the school day. Our school district requires a  doctor’s/licensed prescriber’s order on all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) before they can be administered at school and the written consent  of the parent/guardian. All medications must be brought to the health office by a responsible adult. The prescription medication must be in the original  container which is clearly labeled with the following: 

∙ Name of student 

∙ Medication name 

∙ Name of prescribing physician 

∙ Dosage, route, frequency of administration of medication 

∙ Date prescribed 

All medication orders must be renewed at the beginning of each school year. For short-term medications, such as antibiotics, the prescription label may be  used as the doctor’s order. A signed parent permission form is also required to administer these medications. The school medication policy also applies  during field trips. The nurse may delegate other personnel to give medication in the event of field trips with parent/guardian permission. Our school  physician has written standing orders for the administration of Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Tums. Please make sure you (parent/guardian) complete the  back for the emergency form and sign the part of the form to allow the nurse to administer those medications. Please contact the school nurse for more  information regarding medication administration if you have specific questions. 

Policy for Exclusion of Contagious Conditions 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has established guidelines concerning a student’s return to school after experiencing a contagious illness:  COVID, strep throat, scarlet fever, head lice, chickenpox, impetigo, conjunctivitis, scabies, etc. If your child is diagnosed with any of these illnesses or conditions,  please contact the school nurse immediately to discuss guidelines for returning to school.  

Head Lice/Nits: Head lice are most often seen in school-age children, but can occur in all social, economic, and age groups. We conduct pediculosis  (head lice) screenings as needed throughout the year in both schools. Please remind your child not to share combs, brushes, hats, scarves, hair clips, headbands, headsets,  helmets, etc. 

Fever/Vomiting/Diarrhea: It is strongly recommended that a child with a fever of 100.1 or greater remain out of school for 24 hours fever-free without  the aid of medication. It is strongly recommended that a child be kept at home with vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours until symptoms have subsided. 

Health Programs 

Vision and Hearing Test 

Vision screenings are done on all students in grades K-5; stereopsis is an additional vision screening done on students in grades K-3. Hearing screenings  are done on students in grades K-3. Notices of any failures are sent to the parent by the school nurse for follow-up. The school nurse should be contacted  if there are any questions. Results of the follow-up are to be returned to the school nurse. 

Physical Exams 

Massachusetts State Law recommends periodic physical exams. The AWRSD requires all new students as well as incoming students in kindergarten and third grade to have a current physical. Ideally, this is done by a family physician who knows the child. Please forward a completed  physical examination form to the school nurse where it becomes a part of the student’s health record.

 

Dental Exam

Polished, Inc. Dental Program comes to the schools and is available to all students. This program is free of charge, but requires written parental permission. 

BMI – Body Mass Index 

Students in grades 1 and 4 will have BMI (Body mass index) calculated. 

Scoliosis/Postural Check 

All 5th grade students will be checked for scoliosis. Parents are notified if additional evaluation is needed by the child’s primary care physician. 

Serious Injury or Illness 

Following an injury or serious illness, a doctor’s note indicating restrictions and/or activity should be presented to the nurse. 

Comprehensive Health Insurance  

If you or your family is in need of health insurance, please visit mahealthconnector.org for information and application