Protocols

If your child is ill, please keep them home. Do not send your child to school if he/she:

• Has a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

• Has a persistent cold or cough.

• Has had vomiting or diarrhea within the past 10 hours.

• Has an unidentifiable skin rash.

• Has “pink eye” with itching and drainage.

• Has a contagious illness such as Chicken Pox or Strep Throat.

• Has active head or body lice.

Students who have been prescribed an antibiotic may return to school after 24 hours on the antibiotic if there is no fever, and if he/she feels well enough to return.

***Contact the Principal regarding home instruction/home & hospital tutoring if your child is expected to be absent for longer than 14 consecutive school days or due to a chronic health condition.***

All public school systems in the Commonwealth are required to comply with regulations 105 CMR 210.000: The Administration of Prescription Medications in Public and Private Schools.

• All medication, prescription and non-prescription (over the counter), requires a physician’s written order (excluding OTC cough drops) and must be in the original container.

• All medication requires written consent from the parent/guardian. High School students receive notices on first day of school regarding Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen administration.

• All medication must be transported to and from the school by a parent or guardian and delivered directly to the school nurse or designee.

Medications are kept in a locked cabinet in the nurse’s office and are only dispensed by the nurse. Any medications not claimed by the parents by the last day of school will be discarded. The school recognizes that self-carrying and self-administration of medication is required by some students. The school nurse must receive written physician/NP and written parent approval prior to allowing self- medication or self-carrying. The school nurse will determine if this is safe and appropriate to allow.

***Please see Forms to print school medication administration form or bring in a signed hard copy medication order from your child's doctor. The doctor can also fax the medication order to the school nurse. The Nurses' contact information is on the main Health Services page.***

If you want your child to receive ANY medications in school, please follow these guidelines:

Over-the-counter (Tylenol, Robitussin, Motrin, etc.):

• Doctor/Nurse Practitioner/Dentist written order

• Parent written Permission

• Original pharmacy bottle/container with label on it (to be left in school clinic)

• **PLEASE** inform nurse what time the last dose of the medication was given

NOTE: cough drops and sunscreen are allowed with parent permission only (Doctor order is NOT required)

Antibiotics:

• Parent written permission

• Write time to be given

• Original pharmacy bottle/container with label on it

• Ask the pharmacy to give you an extra bottle for the school clinic

Inhalers or Nebulizers:

• Doctor written order

• Parent written permission

• Original pharmacy container with label on it

• **Please** call and leave message on clinic answering machine stating what time you gave the last dose that day

Other medications to be given every day:

• Doctor written order

• Parent written permission

• Original pharmacy bottle/container with label on it

• Ask the pharmacy to give you an extra bottle for the school clinic

• All medication is to be kept in the school clinic.

*If it is a daily medication (or Epi-Pen), Doctor orders and Parent permission must be submitted at the beginning of every school year.

*All medications are to be brought to school by an adult and NOT sent in with the child.

*These guidelines that the Millbury nurses follow are from the Massachusetts General Laws. This is for the safety of our children.

The following state mandated screenings are done annually:

• Gr. 1, 4, 7, 10: Height, Weight, BMI

• PreK - Gr. 6, Gr. 10: Vision

• PreK – Gr. 3, 7, 10: Hearing

• Gr. 5-9: Scoliosis (spine curvature screening)

• Gr. 7, Gr. 9: SBIRT

• Gr. Pre, K, 4, 7, 10: Physical exam reports must be provided to the School Nurse

*NOTE: Only those who do not pass a screening will receive written notification.

BMI Notification:

Millbury Public Schools will calculate student BMIs every 3 years, beginning in grade 1. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from weight and height. Per Massachusetts Department of Public Health, it provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

Upon written request of the parent/guardian, their child's Body Mass Index (BMI) and screening results will be mailed to them. By submitting a written request by September 15th of each school year, parents/guardians may request that their child's measurements not be taken.

MGL c.71 s.57 and MDPH 105 CMR 200.500: The Body Mass Index (BMI) and corresponding percentile of each student in grades 1, 4, 7, and 10 (or, in the case of ungraded classrooms, by a student’s 7th, 10th, 13th and 16th birthday) is calculated and reported directly to the Massachusetts Department of Health using appropriate reporting tools as per their guidelines.

The Millbury Public schools encourage collaboration between parents/guardians and the school in this effort. In the event your child has a special medical concern, please call the Health Office to share information.

Latex Allergic School

***We are a latex allergic school. No balloons or other items containing latex should be brought to school.***

Allergies

Due to students having life threatening allergies to tree nuts, some classrooms will be designated "nut free". If your child is placed in a nut free class, a notice will be sent home by the principal outlining the precautions for that room. Several tables in the cafeteria will be designated nut free. Specific cleaning procedures will occur for these tables. If you have a child with a nut allergy but do not want them in a nut free classroom or to sit at the nut free table, please send a written note to the school nurse and/or principal stating your desire.

*PLEASE NOTE: The nurse will work with you and your child(ren) regarding specific health concerns or medical care plans. Please communicate any medical issues to the nurse. *

If your child has an orthopedic injury, a note from his/her physician which clearly states the nature of the condition, clearance to return to school, any restrictions and/or need for supportive devices and clear time frames for any special accommodations must be clearly stated. Physical Education and recess will be restricted until a physician’s note stating no restrictions is submitted.

The following excerpt is the position statement of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) regarding HEAD LICE:

"It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) that the management of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) in the school setting should not disrupt the educational process. Leadership provided by the registered professional school nurse (hereinafter referred to as the school nurse) can impact reduction of the stigma associated with head lice by providing accurate health education including anticipatory guidance to the school community and implementing evidence-based strategies for the management of head lice in schools. Evidence-based strategies include abandoning “no-nit” school policies, allowing children to remain in class and participate in school-sponsored activities when live lice or nits (the eggs of head lice) are found on their heads, notifying parents/caregivers at the end of the school day when findings indicate the presence of a head lice infestation, and educating parents/caregivers about evidence-based treatment options."

The Millbury Public Schools Health Services Dept has updated the Head Lice Protocol accordingly.