Health Services

When To Keep Your Sick Child At Home

Guidelines on when to stay home.  If your child presents with symptoms during the school day, it can result in dismissal.  

• Temperature over 100 degrees.

• If your child has a contagious illness such as flu, strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye)

• Cold symptoms, sore throat. earache, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, stomachaches.

• Child has an upper respiratory illness with significant coughing and/or nasal discharge.

Please check your child’s temperature; a child should be "fever free" for twenty-four hours without taking a fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or Advil before returning to school. 

The school nurse should be notified by the parent/guardian of any: 

• New medication and/or dosing change.

• New medical diagnosis or allergies.

• Serious injury, illness, or hospitalization.

•  Planned surgery.

• Communicable diseases, i.e., chicken pox, strep throat, scarlet fever, or fifth disease.

• New diagnosis or change in your child’s health status.

• Fracture, sprain, stitches, cast, or crutches. 

Important COVID Update

Effective Immediately

Per the CDC, COVID-19 treatment now falls under the guidance regarding ALL Respiratory Viral Illnesses

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has updated recommendations for schools and the general public to prevent the spread of any respiratory viruses.  The new guidance applies to any respiratory viral illness, such as COVID, Flu, or RSV.  Symptoms of a viral illness include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache.  

There is no longer any statewide isolation or quarantine requirements for those who test positive for COVID-19. The new guidance states that even with a positive COVID-19 test, individuals may return to school/work and resume normal activities when:  

Symptoms are improving ANDFever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications  like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 

Medication Administration

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MEDICATION TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD

STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO CARRY ANY MEDICATIONS IN THEIR POSSESSION EXCEPT FOR EPIPENS AND INHALERS WITH PHYSICIAN AND PARENTAL CONSENT

The following is an overview of the medication policies in place to ensure the health and safety of students who may need to take medications in school.  It is highly encouraged that students take their medications at home, but if this is not possible, then the school nurse will administer the medications:

• Contact the nurse to inform the student will be taking medications while at school.

• Complete the prescription parent/guardian medication/consent form (downloadable on the school website).

• A written order from a licensed provider is required for prescription medications.

• Short-term medications - requiring administration for 10 or fewer school days, the pharmacy-labeled container may be used in lieu of a physician-signed medication order. Whenever possible, short-term antibiotics should be given at home.

• Medication is to be delivered to school by a parent or a responsible adult.

• Medication must be in a pharmacy or manufacturer’s labeled container.

• No more than a 30-day school-day supply of medicine should be delivered to the school.

• There is no nurse present before or after school hours; students do not have access to their medications during those hours. 

• Forms are kept on file in the nurse's office and must be updated for each new school year.

Medications must be picked up at the end of the school year.

New Student Requirements

1. Documentation of a physical exam done by the student's primary care physician. The exam should be dated within 1 year prior to entrance into school. 

2. Documentation of all required immunizations.

3. Completion of the Report of Health History.

Sports

MIAA requires an updated physical form on file with the nurse to be eligible to participate in school sports.  To participate in sports, the student must have an updated physical on file in the nurse's office.  If you know your child is going to participate in sports while at NCAHS, please plan in advance and make an early appointment with your physician's office.  Physical forms can be faxed, mailed, or dropped off at the school.