Welcome To Nurse's Office
Medical and Activity Forms are available online
The middle school years are a time of dramatic physical and emotional change for most children. It’s the beginning of their journey into adulthood. Parents and educators begin asking them to assume more responsibility and make more independent decisions. They need guidance and support to successfully acquire the skills for life that will keep them healthy. Those learning opportunities are available to them in the Healing Haven.
Please see the information you need to know about the health policies and procedures at McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School.
Contact Information
Eileen Ford, R.N.
Phone; (508) 879-9000, ext. 24
Fax; (508) 879-1066
eford@mcaulifferegional.org
Healing Haven hours are 9:15am - 4pm
Medication Policy
- Students may not carry medication on their person at any time. This includes over the counter as well as prescription medications.
- Students who require epi-pens and/or inhalers may carry and self-administer these medications after the nurse, parent/guardian, and student, meet to complete a self-administration contract. (Please see specific information for students with asthma or severe allergies below.)
- A physician's order and signed parental consent are required for all medications given during the school day. Physicians may fax medication orders directly to the nurse at (508) 879-1066. Medication must be delivered to school by a responsible adult and given directly to the nurse. It must be in the original container clearly labeled with the student's name.
- Medication cannot be held on campus over the summer. A responsible adult must pick up medication one week after the physician’s order expires, or by one day beyond the last full day of the school year. Any medication not picked up by that time will be destroyed, unless alternate arrangements have been made with the nurse.
Students With Asthma And/Or Severe Allergies
Parents, please plan on stopping by the Healing Haven between 9:15am and 4pm within the first week of school to drop off your child's medication and pick up the required medical and consent forms. If it is impossible for you to do this during the regular Healing Haven hours, please call the nurse to arrange an alternate time. Medication consent forms are available online for you to download.
Physical Exams And Immunizations
The state of Massachusetts requires all students entering 7th grade have a current (one year old or less) physical exam on file in their school health record. This is also the time when your child would receive their Tetanus booster shot. If your 7th grade son/daughter has not had a physical in the last year, please schedule one and forward the completed form to the nurse ASAP. Please be aware students may be excluded from attending school if this documentation is missing or outdated.
If your child is exempt from immunizations for religious or medical reasons, a letter from the physician documenting the exemption is required.
Medical Exclusions
Students must provide a note from a physician to be excused from any normal school activity.
Please keep your child at home if they are exhibiting any of the following symptoms;
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Unexplained rash
- Draining wounds not contained by the dressing
- Suspicion of a communicable disease
Students diagnosed with a communicable disease must be excluded from school until they are no longer at risk for spreading the disease.
Student must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen before returning to school.
If antibiotics are required, the student must take the medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
Medication For Overnight Fieldwork
Please note the following requirements regarding medication on overnight fieldwork. If you have any questions, please call the nurse at (508) 879-9000, ext. 24;
- A physician’s order is required for all medications including over the counter medications, herbal preparations, or vitamins.
- All physician’s orders MUST be received by the nurse ONE WEEK PRIOR to the fieldwork date. The doctor may fax orders to (508) 879-1066.
- Only daily medications for the treatment of a medical or psychiatric condition, inhalers, and Epi-pens are available to students on overnight fieldwork. “As needed” medications for physical discomforts that might unexpectedly arise (ex. Tylenol, Motrin, Tums) cannot be administered by McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School staff.
- All medications must be delivered directly to the nurse by a responsible adult TWO DAYS prior to the trip date. Healing Haven hours are 9:15am – 4pm. Please deliver only the amount of medication needed for the trip. MEDICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED ON THE DAY OF DEPARTURE.
- All medication must be in its original container, clearly labeled with the student’s name.
- At no time is the student allowed to carry or administer his/her own medication, including over the counter medications, herbal preparations, or vitamins. The only exceptions to this are students who have prior authorization to self-administer epi-pens and/or inhalers.
- Empty medication containers and/or leftover medication must be picked up from the nurse by a responsible adult within one week after returning from fieldwork. Regretfully, there is not enough space in the Healing Haven for appropriate long term storage of a large volume of medication, so all prescription bottles/medication left at school after one week will be destroyed.
Nutrition
As obesity has become a health threat equal to cigarette smoking, we have created a nutrition policy which supports a healthy food environment in school. This policy will be phased in over the next three years, beginning in 2005. Parents can help us create this healthy environment by being aware of the following;
- Soda consumption is restricted to the cafeteria and staff lounge. Students and staff may not consume soda in any educational or common area of the campus, or outside on school property.
- Soda will not be available for purchase on campus or offered as part of any fundraiser or school function.
- Fundraisers incorporating food (e.g. bake sales), school store, and concessions sold at school functions will provide one healthy food choice for every "junk food" choice. A healthy snack is defined as having less than 7 grams of total fat and less than 15 grams of sugar.
- The practice of using food as incentive or reward for behavioral or academic performance is strongly discouraged. Staff members will have access to resources listing alternative ways to encourage and honor our students' achievements.
Food In The Classroom
In order to maintain a safe and clean school environment, the casual consumption of food and drink (other than water) in the classroom is not allowed. Students have the opportunity to eat a morning snack in the hallway, between 2nd and 3rd period. Students staying after school may have another snack at the end of the day. Food consumed in the classroom is at the discretion of and monitored by the teacher. Some teachers have decided to have completely food-free classrooms, and others will have restrictions on what can be brought into the classroom and when food will be allowed.
Many of these decisions are intended to protect students with severe allergies. Please contact your child’s core teacher or crew leader if you have any questions or concerns about food in your child’s classroom. Feel free to contact the nurse for more general information on nutrition, food allergies, or any other health related topic!
McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School does not have a breakfast program and there is no guaranteed breakfast time built into the morning crew. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO EAT BREAKFAST AT HOME!!!
Useful Links
http://www.massresources.org/index.cfm
MassResources.org - provides detailed information about the many types of assistance available to those in need living in Massachusetts. It provides practical information on what benefits are available, eligibility requirements, how to apply, benefit amounts, and answers to commonly asked questions.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
WIC - The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as the WIC Program - serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
http://www.gettingfoodstamps.org/
Gettingfoodstamps.org
http://mypyramid.gov/index.html
MyPyramid.gov - MyPyramid Plan can help you choose the foods and amounts that are right for you.
http://www.nutrition.gov/
Nutrition.gov - Smart nutrition starts here!
http://www.healthinschools.org/parents/lunch.htm
Healthinschools.org – The Center for Health and Healthcare in Schools, parent resource center.