Health Services Information

Height/weight and BMI measurements will be taken annually for all students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10,  per state mandate.  Parents may opt-out of this screening with written permission sent to the Nurse’s office at the beginning of the school year.

Postural screening is a state mandated, non-invasive screening conducted by the the school nurse in grades 5-9 in each school year in the spring. Parents will be notified prior to the screening clinics and have the option to opt-out their student.  A letter requesting to opt-out their student must be sent to the school nurse prior to the screening clinic. 

On March 22,2024, DPH updated their guidance for management of respiratory illnesses Staying home to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses | Mass.gov to align with those previously released by the CDC on for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. This new guidance is for respiratory viruses like Influenza, RSV, and Covid-19 as they share similar transmission methods, symptoms, and prevention strategies. This unified approach aims to simplify recommendations and address common risks more effectively.

Effective 3/28/24, NMRSD has transitioned to new Respiratory Virus Guidelines that follow both CDC and MA DPH guidance.

The goal of North Middlesex Regional Schools is to strive for excellent attendance. There are times when your child may not be perfectly healthy, but is able to participate in normal school activities. We would encourage your child to attend on those days. If you feel it is questionable that your child will make it through a full day of school, please send a note in to the school nurse with numbers where you can be reached. The Nurses at North Middlesex Regional Schools have formulated the following guidelines for school attendance.

Please keep your child home from school if they display any of the following symptoms:

• Fever of 100 degrees or more, and until the child has had a normal temperature for 24 hours; without the use of Tylenol or Advil
• Vomiting or diarrhea during the night or in the morning before school
• Uncontrollable or infectious (phlegm-laden) cough
• Abdominal pain lasting more than 2 hours
• Rash of unknown cause
• Signs of infection of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, skin or scalp. For example: conjunctivitis or pink eye, open sores in mouth, untreated strep throat, impetigo or open weeping wounds
• If on antibiotics for less than 24 hours for infectious conditions such as strep throat, conjunctivitis or impetigo
• Untreated lice and/or presence of nits (eggs) or scabies.

Please remember to call the absent line at your child’s school to report his/her illness. Please try to call the absent line early in the morning if your child will be out. 

Information pertinent to the student’s safety or ability to learn in the classroom will be shared with the student’s team and specialists as well as school administrators. All other information will be kept confidential.

Cough drops are considered to be over-the-counter medications by the MA States Regulations. They are included in our OTC Consent Form.  If you would like your child to have access to cough drops at school, please complete the OTC Parental Consent Form and send it in to  your school nurse. 

Vision screenings are performed on all 5th graders. Vision, hearing, height, weight and SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment for alcohol and drug use) screenings are performed on all 7th graders. Parents may opt students out of screenings in writing.

All 7th grade students must show proof of All 7th grade students must show proof of an up to date Tdap booster and a meningitis (MenACWY) vaccine prior to entry.

All students new to the North Middlesex District must show proof of immunizations prior to entry. A physical exam is required 6 months prior to entry or within the school year.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are drugs that do not require a prescription in order for you to purchase them.  In the school system, physician orders are required in order to administer OTC medications in the health office.  Our school physician has written standing orders for the medications listed below.   OTC medication will be given based on our current standing orders.  Written parental permission is required for administration.  The OTC Parental Consent Form (linked below) must be completed by the parent for the student to receive any of these medications at school.   A copy of the protocol can be requested.

OTC Parental Consent Form

Topical:

• Hydrocortisone Cream 1%
• Calamine Lotion
• Antibiotic Oitnment (bacitracin)
• Caladryl
• Hand Sanitizer

Oral: 

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Throat lozenges/cough drops
• Antacid Tablets (Tums)

Restrictions in physical activity, including physical education and recess, should be noted, as needed, by the physician. Students should submit excuses from physicians to the nurse. The appropriate staff will be notified about the excuse by the school nurse in order to ensure the student's safety at school.  Parents/Guardians may excuse their child from PE or fitness with a note stating: date to be excused, reason for excuse, signature of parent and name of student. *A doctor’s note is required after 2 consecutive excuses.*

Physical exams are required by law for all incoming kindergarten, 4th grade, 7th grade, and sophmore students. Physical exams are to be performed by your private physician. Please provide documentation of the physical exam to the school nurse.