Welcome to School Health Care Services
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) periodically issues health advisories. On May 9, 2011 the MA DPH issued a measles advisory, and repeated the alert in October due to continuing evidence of measles. For the most recent information on measles,and the School Influenza Vaccination Program offered by School Health Care Services, and the most recent mumps advisory please click on the link to the Important Health Updates page listed in the table below.
About School Health Care Services
The primary mission of School Health Services is to provide exceptional health services to support every students' academic success. Each school building has an assigned school nurse educator. Depending on the size of the student population, some buildings have two nurses. Health care services are provided by registered nurses who are assisted in some offices by health aides. A nurse leader supervises district-wide health office activities and assures compliance with regulatory standards set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). A school physician serves as an advisor to the health office staff.
For the 2010-2011 school year 75,180 student encounters were recorded by the school nurses. Six hundred students participated in the Fluoride Mouth Rinse Program; 789 students participated in the Polished LLC Oral Health Program.
In addition to daily care for students with special health care needs and routine interventions for first aid and physical complaints, the school nurses also performed health screenings on students in selected grades and conducted a Flu Vaccination Clinic for students in grades 7 through 12.
- Growth screenings were performed on grades 1, 4, 7, and 10
- Postural screenings were performed on grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
- Vision and hearing screenings were performed on grades Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
7, and 10
- Seasonal Flu vaccinations were adminstered to 666 students
The school nurses also trained 200 staff members in the use of the Heartsaver AED, and updated CPR certifications on all the school nurses and motor therapists.
Please help the school nurse care for your child by informing the school nurse if:
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Your child has any chronic or acute illnesses
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Your child develops any medical issues/problems
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Medication or health needs change or if they have been exposed to a communicable disease such as a strep infection, mumps or chicken pox
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There are any changes to the phone numbers on your child’s emergency card so the nurse can always reach you
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There is an event at home or in the family that may impact your child at school such as serious illness or death of a family member, death of a beloved pet.
Please keep your child home from school if he/she has
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Temperature 100o F or above
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Vomiting, diarrhea
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Fever of unknown origin
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Strep infections of any kind, ringworm, conjunctivitis, or impetigo. These are all contagious infections and must be treated with medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school
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Rash of unknown origin—this may indicate many different things and should be checked by your pediatrician
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Pain should be taken seriously, especially in young children. Earaches, toothaches, and headaches should be evaluated.
Please select one of the frames below to learn more about our services
School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
This district-wide committee is an essential component of a successful, comprehensive, coordinated school health program. The committee's collective knowledge, expertise, influence, and advocacy can be a powerful force in working with the school health program. As a district-wide advisory body, the committee can identify health and social problems related to the community's youth, develop viable solutions, and identify key resources. The SHAC is comprised of members of the school department, a school committee liaison, the Board of Health, Jordan Hospital, members of the community, parents, and student representatives. The committee routinely meets monthly during the school year, typically in the late afternoon. If you are interested in learning more about SHAC, please contact Ann Powers, Nurse Leader via email at apowers@plymouth.k12.ma.us.
To learn more about the activities of the SHAC, please return to the home page, and select School Committee located on the right side of the home page.
Plymouth Public Schools Wellness Policy
Wellness Implementation Guidelines
Last update: October 24, 2011
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