Day to Day Health

Parents and the primary care provider can partner with the nurse to ensure that all students are healthy and ready to learn; Please help the school nurse build that collaboration by being up to date on the following areas:

Consent to Communicate

Primary care providers and nurses require parent permission to communicate. The consent form is an agreement that sets guidelines for what will be shared amongst the home, the school and the primary care provider. The purpose is to ensure that the school has the proper information to create an educational plan.

There are two different federal regulations regarding confidentiality of information. FERPA ( the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ) protects student educational information within the school environment. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects health information within the larger community such as protected health information. However, when health information is accepted by a school, it becomes FERPA protected and not HIPAA protected and anyone with a right to know (i.e. those directly involved with a student’s educational program) can potentially review health information. To provide a more HIPAA like protection to a students health information, BPS has added additional confidentiality protections. The school nurse in conjunction with the principal and parent has a release of health information where the parent sets the parameters for what can be shared with the staff.

Physical Exam

The physical exam provides the school nurse with important information to maintain health and safety in the school, especially for new enterers. Parents of new students should ensure the nurse receives a physical exam within 2 weeks of school entrance. When a child has chronic disease, such as diabetes or sickle cell disease, the nurse will need more detailed information. In order to work together with the student’s clinician, the parent or guardian should sign a consent to share the medical information. The Chronic Disease section discusses this in more detail.

In addition, the State requires that all high school sports participants have an updated physical every 13 months.

The purpose of a sports physical is to ensure safety of students and provide guidelines for those with health needs. The student’s primary care physician clears a student for participation and should indicate any accommodations the school should provide for safe play. The school nurse and athletic trainer reviews all students participating in sports to ensure this clinician clearance has occurred. Monitoring for concussion is an important function of the athletics department and the school nurses. Parents should inform the school of any offsite concussions.

Immunizations

Screenings

The State requires students be screened for height, weight, hearing, vision and scoliosis (curvature of spine). School nurses and health paraprofessionals complete most of the screenings. Vision screening often discovers a vision deficit. BPS links with several community agencies that will do more detailed vision screening and assist with obtaining glasses.

Although parents can opt out of screening on the online or paper student family handbook along with the other permissions requested at the start of each new school year, we encourage that all children be screened.

Medication

A physician’s order is required if a child is taking medicine in school. Massachusetts State regulations allow only a nurse to dispense medication, with the exception of some medications on field trips only, and Epi pens.
The parent is responsible for delivering to the nurse medications in a pharmacy labeled container along with a physician’s order and permission for the nurse to give the medication in school.
Over-the-counter medications require a physician's order for them to be dispensed in school. The BPS school physician provides a standing order that allows the school nurse to dispense medication with parental permission
In some instances, such as with asthma inhalers, medications may be self administered. Self administration is determined by the nurse and the family and requires a process of monitoring student use.
Parents should pick up any unused medications at the end of the school year. Any unused medication will be destroyed.
School nurses are responsible for a student's health during regular school hours. Before and after school programs are responsible for working with parents should there be a medical need such as medication outside of school hours.

Field Trips

Field trips are a valuable and exciting part of your child’s educational experience, and we are dedicated to ensuring that every student, including those with special health needs, can participate safely and comfortably. To help your child have the best possible experience, we aim to keep parents and guardians well-informed about these outings. If your child has any medical conditions or special needs, please communicate these in advance to the school nurse so that they can arrange the necessary accommodations. Please ensure your student has all necessary medications and supplies available for the field trip. Our commitment to the safety and well-being of all our students is paramount, and we look forward to collaborating with you to ensure safe and enjoyable encounters for your child.

CORI CHAPERONE FORM

Filling this online form out is the first step towards chaperoning a field trip with your child's class. Click here to open.

Medical Emergencies

The nurse assesses the acuity of presenting symptoms and makes the determination of 911 transport. Therefore it is vitally important that parents maintain updated emergency contacts.

Parents will be notified if a child is transported.

Students must be accompanied by school staff; as EMS assumes the clinical role, the school nurse is more appropriate to remain with the school.

Disaster Planning

Each school has a disaster plan and the school nurse is one of the team members. Parents should familiarize themselves with the schools disaster plan, in particular the reunification plan, should there be a school evacuation. Parents of children with special needs involving medication, equipment or supplies, should discuss plans for shelter in place or lockdown.