Welcome New Heights Families!

The Health Office supports the health, safety, and wellness of our scholars throughout the school day. Promoting healthy practices and addressing scholars’ individual health needs are important components of helping scholars remain healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

The school nurses support scholar success through nursing assessment, intervention, follow-up, health education, and care coordination. We work collaboratively with scholars, families, school personnel, healthcare providers, and community partners to promote a healthy and safe school environment.

New Heights is a peanut-free and allergy-aware campus. Families are asked not to send peanut products to school.

If your scholar has a diagnosed allergy that may require care or emergency treatment during the school day, please contact the Health Office. Families must provide current healthcare-provider documentation, including an applicable Allergy/Anaphylaxis Action Plan, medication order, and prescribed emergency medication, when indicated.

Please notify the Health Office of any new or updated allergies or changes to your scholar’s allergy treatment plan.

Whenever possible, routine medications should be administered at home. Routine morning medications should be administered at home prior to the scholar’s arrival at school. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that morning medications are administered before school so scholars arrive prepared and ready to participate in the instructional day.

If medication is required during the school day, the Health Office must receive a current medication administration order signed and dated by the licensed prescriber and written authorization from the parent/guardian. Medication must be provided in an appropriately pharmacy-labeled or manufacturer-labeled container.

Medication orders must be renewed at the beginning of each academic year and as clinically necessary, in accordance with 105 CMR 210.005(D)(1).

Mid-day and afternoon daily medications required during school hours will be administered by the school nurses in accordance with the current medication order.

Scholars should not carry medication unless self-administration/self-carry has been reviewed and authorized in accordance with Health Office procedures and applicable Massachusetts requirements.

If your scholar has asthma, anaphylaxis/allergies, diabetes, seizures, sickle cell disease, or another chronic health condition requiring care or management during the school day, please contact the Health Office.

Families must provide all current healthcare documentation necessary for their scholar’s care at school, including applicable healthcare-provider orders, action plans, medication orders, prescribed medications, medical supplies, and documentation of medical restrictions or accommodations.

Please notify the Health Office whenever there is a new diagnosis or a change in your scholar’s medical condition, medication, treatment plan, or school-based healthcare needs.

All newly enrolled scholars, as well as scholars entering 7th and 10th grade, must provide the Health Office with an up-to-date physical examination.

The physical examination must be dated within the previous 12 months (1 year).

Please provide updated physical examinations directly to the Health Office so your scholar’s school health record can be kept current.

All scholars must meet applicable Massachusetts Department of Public Health immunization requirements for school attendance.

Immunization requirements vary by grade level. Families are responsible for providing the Health Office with current immunization documentation and should submit updated records whenever their scholar receives additional required immunizations.

Massachusetts school immunization requirements are established under 105 CMR 220.000 – Immunization of Students Before Admission to School.

Scholars must meet applicable Massachusetts immunization requirements for school attendance unless an allowable exemption or other applicable exception applies. The current website’s more specific grade-level immunization language can therefore be replaced with this broader language rather than maintaining a list that may require updating.

Please ensure that the Health Office has current medical information for your scholar, particularly if your scholar has a chronic health condition, requires medication or medical care during the school day, or has medical restrictions or accommodations.

Providing current and complete health information helps the nursing team provide safe and appropriate care and helps keep our scholars healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

  • A fever of 100° or greater in the past 24 hours
  • A communicable disease diagnosis
  • A cold in the active stages – coughing, sneezing, nasal drainage
  • A sore throat and/or swollen neck glands
  • Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
  • Acute pain that requires relief by narcotic medication
  • An undiagnosed rash or skin eruption
  • Any eye infection which has not yet been medically treated for at least 24 hours.
  • COVID-19 symptoms (See Covid Page for more information)
    • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills 
    • Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough) 
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
    • New loss of taste or smell 
    • Sore throat
    • Headache when in combination with other symptoms 
    • Muscle aches or body aches 
    • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea 
    • Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms 
    • Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

You may receive a call from us if your child is too ill to remain in school. Parents should make every effort to pick up children as soon as possible when notified by the school nurse. Because we never know when an emergency will occur, it is important that New Heights has parents’ updated contact information at all times.

Have questions? Please contact us at nurse@nhcsb.org.

  • Shirley Hargett: (508) 857-5721 Ext 1329
    Martine Asmath: (508) 857-5721 Ext 1606
  • Debby Brocklesby
  • Confidential Fax number (508) 510-3354

Flu Season Is Here

Norovirus: What Parents & Guardians Need to Know

Please download the Massachusetts Public Health Fact Sheet here. 

Norovirus Alert: What Parents & Guardians Need to Know 

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes acute vomiting and diarrhea and spreads quickly in settings like schools and childcare centers12. It is often referred to as the “stomach bug” or “stomach flu,” but it is 1not1 related to the influenza (flu) virus1.

 Symptoms & Contagion

Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure and typically last for 1 to 3 days.Common Symptoms

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea (often watery)
  • Nausea and stomach cramps
     

Other Possible Symptoms

  • Low-grade fever or chills
  • Headache and body aches
     

The Biggest Risk: Dehydration

 

Dehydration is the most significant risk, especially for young children. Monitor for signs of dehydration, which can include:

  • Thirst
  • Fatigue/Lethargy
  • Dark urine or urinating less than normal
  • No tears when crying
  • Dry mouth and tongue
     

How Norovirus Spreads

Norovirus is found in the vomit and feces of infected people, and it takes only a very small amount of virus particles to cause infection.

  • Person-to-Person: Direct contact with an infected person.
  • Contaminated Surfaces: Touching contaminated surfaces (desks, doorknobs, toys, etc.) and then touching your mouth before washing your hands.
  • Contaminated Food or Water: Consuming food or water that has been contaminated, such as food touched by an ill person.
     

Protect Your Family: 5 Key Prevention Tips

  1. Practice Proper Hand Hygiene
    • Always wash hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
    • Hand sanitizer alone does not work well against norovirus and should not be used as a substitute for washing with soap and water.
    • Wash hands especially after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before eating or handling food.
       
  2. Disinfect Contaminated Surfaces
    • Immediately clean and disinfect surfaces after vomiting or diarrhea occurs.
    • Use a chlorine bleach solution (5–25 tablespoons of household bleach [5.25%] per gallon of water) or an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against norovirus.
       
  3. Handle Laundry Carefully
    • Immediately remove and wash contaminated clothes or linens.
    • Wash with detergent at the maximum available cycle length and machine dry them.
       
  4. Use Safe Food Practices
    • Carefully wash fruits and vegetables.
    • Do not prepare food or care for others while you are sick.
       
  5. Stay Home When Sick
    • Keep your child home from school and other group activities if they are sick.
       

School Return Policy

 

To prevent community spread, students must meet the following criteria before returning to school:

  • They must be free from vomiting and/or diarrhea for at least 48 hours.
  • Some schools may require a note from a healthcare provider stating the student is non-communicable.
     

If your child is experiencing symptoms, please contact the school nurse immediately to report the illness and discuss the return-to-school policy.

New Heights Wellness Policy

Wellness Policy

The staff of New Heights Charter School is committed to the belief that we all, staff and students, need to have access to healthy food choices in addition to physical activity and mental health support to be our best selves.  A healthy lifestyle promotes better student attendance, which in turn fosters educational success. Increasing obesity rates among school age children, along with chronic diseases continue to challenge our student’s maximum academic potential. The purpose of New Heights Charter School Wellness Policy is to create a healthy school environment, where the healthy choice is the easy choice.

Health Advisory Council (HAC) 
In accordance with the Massachusetts Legislatures “An Act Relative to School Nutrition” (M. G. L. c 111, s 222), New Heights Charter School has established a health Advisory Council (HAC), which consists of students, parents, members of the district, a Wellness Team and a Board of Directors member. The HAC will meet quarterly to set wellness goals and objectives for the school year and provide informational updates to parents, our Board of Directors and the community at large. The HAC will review district-wide wellness policies, research and develop new policies and recommend activities that promote student wellness. The HAC will present its recommendations and finding to the Board of Directors yearly.

The Health Advisory Council (HAC) is an essential component of a successful, comprehensive, coordinated school health program. The council’s collective knowledge, expertise, influence, and advocacy can be a powerful force in working with the school health program.  

The council is intended to ensure that the New Heights Charter School has an established group of school staff and concerned community representatives to recommend, review and help implement school district policies addressing school nutrition, nutrition education, physical activity and related issues that affect student health. As an advisory body, the council can identify health and social problems related to the community’s youth, develop viable solutions, and identify key resources.

HAC reports, as well as minutes of the meetings, including the names of attendees, shall be maintained and provided to the Department of Public Health or the Department of Elementary and Secondary education upon request.

New Heights Charter School of Brockton will assess our Wellness Policy at least once every three years on the extent to which the school is in compliance with our stated policy, in addition to the progress made in attaining the goals established by the HAC. These assessments will be made available to the public via the NHCSB website.

Wellness Policy Goals

  • The food selections offered and the nutritional education provided will encourage and support life-long healthy eating behaviors.
  • New Heights Charter School of Brockton will provide programs that support physical, social and emotional well-being of our students and our staff. 
  • New Heights Charter School of Brockton will provide a safe environment that supports academic success for all students. 

Wellness Policy Procedures

The Massachusetts School Nutrition Regulation for Competitive Foods and Beverages, (105 CMR 225.000) is an initiative aimed at combating childhood obesity by offering staff & students foods and beverage choices that will enhance learning, contribute to healthy growth and development and promote lifelong healthy eating habits. 

NHCSB is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages available to students on the school campus (during the school day) support healthy eating. The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (i.e., “competitive” foods and beverages) will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, at a minimum. Smart Snacks aim to improve student health and well-being, increase consumption of healthful foods during the school day, and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits.

Nutritional Guidelines and Standards for School Meals:

The Food Service Program will continue to follow the USDA requirements for the Federal School Meals Program and the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children. In an effort to entice students to make better food choices, New Heights will work with our Food Service Vendor to create meals that are appealing, served in a clean environment, and meet all nutritional requirements established by local, state and federal regulations. A summary of the standards and information are available at: 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals

https://www.vrg.org/journal/schoollunch.htm

http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-smart-snacks. 

Nutritional Beverages

Carbonated beverages without nutritional value will not be available for student purchase.  Students will be given water, fruit juices or milk (fat free, or 1%) with their daily breakfast and lunches.

Nutritional Foods

  1. NHCSB will ensure that healthy snacks and foods are provided in the cafeteria and at in-school events. Snacks made available on school property will meet the Massachusetts Action for Healthy Kids Guidelines.

     

  2. Increase the availability of appealing nutritious food and beverages while minimizing the availability of high caloric/low nutrient counterparts. 
  3. At least 50% of a la carte items must provide high nutritional value (100% fruit juice, skim and 1% milk, etc.). Foods of high nutritional value will naturally have a significant amount of at least one of the following: calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, iron or fiber. 
  4. Snacks may be brought from home for children’s own consumption, with the understanding that some classrooms may need to restrict some types of recess snacks due to specific allergies that classmates or staff may have, such as peanut allergies.
  5. Parents are encouraged to send healthy snacks that will provide the “fuel” for     effective learning. Foods of high nutritional value will naturally have a significant amount of at least one of the following: calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, iron or fiber. 
  6. Parents are to refrain from sending snacks to be shared. This is because every school has children who have severe, life-threatening allergies of all kinds. No child shall be put at risk of having an allergic reaction to foods brought into school. 

School Meals

  1. Reimbursable school meals will meet, at a minimum, the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of section 10 of the Child Nutrition Act (ACT U.S.C. 1779) and sections 9(f) (l) and 17(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(f) (l),1766(a), the USDA Nutritional Standards and the American Dietary Guidelines. 
  2. Free and Reduced Meals: NHCSB will make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to students that are eligible for free/reduced school meals. Applications for free/reduced lunch are available in the registrar’s office at school. 
  3. Menus – Will be prepared and foods will be served to incorporate variety, appeal, taste and safety to ensure high quality meals. Nutritional meal data is available upon request. Meal times and scheduling: lunch periods are scheduled as near the middle of the day as possible. Twenty to Thirty minutes per day will be provided to students for lunch time. 
  4. Environment – Creative, innovative construction will be applied to minimize noise level within the eating area. The eating environment will be located such that there is convenient access to hand-washing facilities before meals. The food service area design will minimize the time students are waiting in line. 

Health and Nutrition Education

Health education provides critical content for students to develop and demonstrate health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices. The health educational department will implement education based on the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks for Health and Physical Education into its grades 6-8 curriculum. NHCSB shall provide a comprehensive health education program for grade 6-8 students implemented by certified health teachers.  Health teachers will be adequately prepared to teach nutrition education and will participate in regular professional development. This program will provide students the opportunity to understand and practice concepts and skills related to health promotion and disease prevention.

Physical Education

Physical education and regular physical activity is an integral part of the total education of students, which contributes to the physical development of the individual through promotion and appreciation of physical fitness. 

  1. Physical Education will be taught by a physical education teacher and the curriculum is consistent with the Massachusetts State frameworks. 
  2. All students in grades 6-8 will be offered physical education and will be

taught by certified physical education teachers.

  1. The Physical Education program will be designed to stress personal physical fitness and encourage healthy, active lifestyles. All students will participate in physical education in accordance with current state laws, regulations and district polices. 

 

  1. Co-curricular physical activity programs, including fully inclusive intramural programs and physical activity clubs, will be made available to all students.
  2. A range of physical activities are offered to meet the needs, interests and abilities 

of middle school students, including students with disabilities and students with

special health care needs.

 

  1. The district will assess and if needed and to the extent possible make needed improvement to after school programs. 

 

  1. Information regarding activities held at the school, recreation departments, and the YMCA will be communicated to families to encourage participation by all members of the community.

Staff Wellness

Employees perform their best when they are healthy and optimal employee performance is necessary. NHCSB staff will be encouraged to model healthy behaviors and take advantage of the educational and physical activity programs offered. 

Please Access Our Lunch, Breakfast And Snack Menu HERE!

 

New Heights provides students with healthy food options that will feed their brains and give them the energy to get through the day! If you are sending your child to school with food, please send all items with them in the morning. To minimize disruptions during the school day we ask that families do not bring in lunch for their child during the school day. For the duration of the pandemic, we will not be allowing scholars to use microwaves so please be mindful of that when packing lunches.

Eligibility criteria for the free and reduced-price meals are embedded in the meal application and instructions and available by linking to… http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2014-04788.pdf to see the entire chart. If families qualify for the Virtual Gateway,  those benefits to all children within the household. Please contact us with this information when you are informed that one or more children in the household have been determined eligible.