Hardwick Elementary School

Student Health Policies

ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO STUDENTS: QRSD Policy JHCD MDPH REG. 105 CMR 210. 00

 Medications (prescription or non-prescription) may be administered to a student in school only by a registered nurse or a non-licensed person designated and trained by the school nurse.

 Medications will only be administered to students in school if:
a.) there is a written order from a licensed prescriber (physician, dentist or nurse practitioner);
b.) there is written consent from a parent/guardian and
c.) the medication is in a pharmacy – labeled container or the manufacturers original container.

Medication must be delivered to school by a parent/guardian (or other responsible adult) unless otherwise prearranged with the school nurse.

Medication must be in the original pharmacy or manufacturer labeled container and contain no more than a thirty (30) days supply.  Have the pharmacy prepare a separate container of medication to be kept at school.

Special Medication Situations:

a. For short-term medication, i.e. those requiring administration for ten days or less, the pharmacy-labeled container may be used in lieu of a licensed prescriber’s order. The nurse may request a licensed prescriber’s order if there is any question relative to the order.

b. Field trips and other short-term special school events: every effort shall be made to obtain a nurse or school staff member trained in medication administration to accompany students at special school events. When this is not possible, the school nurse may delegate medication administration to another responsible adult.  Written consent from the parent/guardian for the named responsible adult to administer the medication shall be obtained.  The school nurse shall instruct the responsible adult on how to administer the medication to the child.

c. Standing Orders (for those schools which have Standing Orders): The parent/guardian may choose to have standing orders for the student by signing the “Standing Orders” form available from the school nurse.  These orders contain School Physician’s written order for specific over-the-counter medications that can be given by the school nurse.

d.    Self-administration of medication by students will be allowed if a.) the school nurse, the student and parent/guardian agree that this is a viable and safe method of medication administration, and b.) there is written permission from the student’s parent/guardian.  The school nurse may request a written order from a licensed prescriber for self-administration.

e.      Administration of epinephrine by unlicensed personnel, trained by the school nurse, to students with diagnosed life threatening allergic conditions, when the school nurse is not immediately available.

In accordance with standard nursing practice, the school nurse may refuse to administer or allow to be administered any medication, which, based on his/her individual assessment and professional judgment, has the potential to be harmful, dangerous or inappropriate.  In these cases, the school nurse shall notify the parent/guardian and licensed prescriber immediately, to explain the reason for refusal.

ALLERGIES – BEE/INSECT STINGS

It is extremely important that each year parents notify the school of any allergic condition, which afflicts their child especially associated with bee stings, or the bites of insects. Stinging insects are very common on the playgrounds, especially in the late spring and early fall. If your child requires immediate medical attention for stings, be sure to notify the school promptly.

“CHILDHOOD” COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Parents are encouraged to call their physician if they suspect their child has a “childhood” communicable disease such as chicken pox or mumps. A child showing signs of ill health or of being infected with a disease or condition dangerous to the public health, shall be sent home immediately, or as soon as safe/proper convenience can be arranged. Some conditions that could require temporary exclusion from school are Chicken Pox, Impetigo, Pediculosis (head lice), Conjunctivitis (pink eye), Staph/Strep Infections, Scabies, Ringworm, and other contagious conditions. Upon returning to school, the child must report to the school nurse or principal before returning to class.

ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME

Policy JHCC the purpose of any policy dealing with health services in the school is to help each child attend school in optimum health and to benefit from the school experience. It is with this purpose in mind that the Quabbin Regional School District committee has adopted for use in the Quabbin Regional School District, policy the regulations proposed by the State Department of Human Services — Attendance by Children with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or Clinical Evidence of Infection with the Human Immune-Deficiency Virus (HIV).  (Copies of Regulations are available upon request from the Superintendent’s office.)

SENSITIVITY TO FRAGRANCES AND CHEMICAL ODORS: QRSD Policy EFAB

It is the policy of the Quabbin Regional School District to maintain a consistent set of procedures for the treatment of persons who have a high level of sensitivity to fragrances and to various chemicals.  There are many people who experience unpleasant physical effects from scented products, such as perfume and colognes.  Sometimes, it might be a headache or nausea when passing by a department store’s fragrance counter or riding in an elevator with someone wearing a certain fragrance.  However, there is a growing number of people who suffer more severe reactions to these and many other types of products and chemicals.  This condition is known as multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and involves people who have developed an acute sensitivity to various chemicals in the environment.  People with MCS experience a range of debilitating physical reactions, some even life-threatening, to chemicals used in a variety of products, including fragrances and personal care products, deodorizers and cleaners, pesticides, wall and floor coverings, and building materials.

Our commitment to provide a safe and healthy environment for students and staff requires cooperative and collaborative effort including the home, physician, school nurse, and staff.  To this end, the Quabbin Regional School District maintains protocols to meet the specific needs of our students and staff who experience MCS.  The intent is to minimize to the extent possible the barriers and difficulties experienced by both students and staff subject to fragrance/chemical sensitivities and those with asthma and other breathing impairments.

At the beginning of each school year, all parents/guardians of students in our schools and members of our staff will be notified of the specific protocols pertaining to fragrance and chemical sensitivities, in writing, and asked to provide medical documentation detailing the diagnosis, specifically identifying the substance and the prescribed treatment.

In accordance with the prescribed protocols, an individual health care plan (IHCP) will be developed for each student and staff member with such diagnosed sensitivity.  The IHCP will be reviewed periodically by designated responders and all staff who interact with identified student(s) and staff.

The school nurse will provide in-service training regarding identified sensitivities, and steps to prevent life-threatening reactions.  Employees will work with administrators to implement certain accommodations that will minimize contact with the identified fragrance or chemical.

FIRST AID

The school attempts to provide a safe environment. If an accident or sudden illness occurs, school personnel will administer first aid and, if warranted, call appropriate medical personnel.

First Aid is defined as the immediate and temporary care given in case of an accident or sudden illness, which enables the child to be taken safely home or to a physician. 

At each school, procedures will be developed for the proper handling of an injury to, or sudden illness of, a child or staff member.  These will be made known to the staff and will incorporate the following requirements:

a.  The school nurse or another trained person will be responsible for administering first aid.

b. When the nature of an illness or an injury appears in any way serious, every effort will be made to contact the parent and/or family physician immediately.

c.  A child who is seriously ill or injured will not be sent home unless it is known that someone is there to receive the child.

d. In extreme emergencies the school nurse, school physician or principal may make arrangements for immediate hospitalization of  injured or ill students, contacting parent or guardian in advance if at all possible.

e. The teacher or other staff members to whom a child is responsible at the time an accident occurs will make out a report on an official form providing details about the accident.  This will be required for every accident for which first aid is given.

f. All accidents to students and staff members will be reported as soon as possible to the Superintendent.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF STUDENTS

Quabbin Regional School District requires physical examinations as follows:

1. Students entering school must have an exam within 6 months prior to entrance. (All kindergarten students are required to have evidence of recent serum lead level.)

2. All students in grades 4, 7 and 10 (6 months prior to or before completion of the school year.)

3. Students transferred from another school system shall be examined as an entering student (physical 6 months prior to transfer or during the first year) unless school health record shows that a physical was done in the school year of transfer.

4. Students planning participation in competitive athletics, annually, prior to such participation.  (The school physician will examine athletes, except when a family wishes to have the examination done by their own physician at their own expense.  In this case, a written report of physical examination must be submitted to the school nurse prior to participation.)

5. Others:
a) Students referred because of known physical defects that require repeated appraisal;
b) students referred due to frequent absences due to unexplained illness;
c) students referred from teacher-nurse conference because s/he is not making expected progress in school or because of signs of illness noted by the teacher or nurse.

Whenever possible, the QRSD encourages the performance of physical examinations to be done by the student’s own private physician.  If this is not possible, the QRSD will provide the services of the school physician to carry out the physical examination.  In this case, notification of the parents/guardians and signed consent is required. 

Exemptions to these procedures will be allowed for individual students at the discretion of the school nurse and building administrator.

INOCULATIONS OF STUDENTS

The Committee wishes to protect all students from vaccine-preventable diseases.  Immunization against these diseases is the most effective method to protect all students and members of the community.  Therefore, the Committee recommends that the School District comply with the MDPH Immunization Program Guidelines by requiring all students entering school for the first time, whether at kindergarten, transfer from another school system or Foreign Exchange student, to show proof of immunization against: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, Hepatitis B Virus and Varicella (Chicken Pox).

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum requirements for immunization for students entering school in Quabbin Regional School District will be those set forth in the Guidelines of the Immunization Program of the MDPH as published annually.  Students who do not meet these requirements may be excluded from school until such time as they receive the vaccinations or provide proof of exemption.

Exemptions:

Students will be exempt from these requirements as follows:

   1. Written documentation from a physician stating that the student’s health would be endangered by a vaccination (Medical Exemption).

   2. Written documentation from the parents stating that immunization is contrary to the religious beliefs of the student or parent (Religious Exemption).

   3. Students on delayed schedule of immunization with written documentation from physician.

   4. Other exemptions to these procedures will be allowed for individual students at the discretion of the school nurse and the building administrator.

 Documentation: notices will be attached to the health record and the information noted on the cover page.

Acceptable “proof” of immunization includes:
a.  Authorized (signed) physician’s note
b.  Student Health Record cover page
c.  MDPH “Blue Book”