Welcome New Heights families!

The Nurses Office is where the in-school health and wellness needs of our students are met. Promoting, teaching and encouraging healthy student practices are key components to maximize learning readiness.

The nurses support student success by providing health care through assessment, intervention, and follow-up for all children within our school setting. Serving as a liaison between school personnel, family, community and healthcare providers, we advocate for health care and a healthy school environment.

Please feel free to contact our school nurses at nurse@nhcsb.org or 

Debby Brocklesby (508) 857-5721 ext 1329

Shirley Hargett (508) 857-5721 ext 1323

Confidential Fax number (508) 510-3354

As the school nurses, it is our priority that students are able to learn, by ensuring that they are in their classrooms, healthy and safe. However, there are times when students should not be in school. Students should not come to school when they have:

  • 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.

ALLERGIES 

New Heights is a peanut-free campus and allergy aware. This means that we ask that you do not send your child with any peanut products to school. We are conscious of the dietary restrictions of those around us with allergies and sensitivities. If your child has any food restrictions, please contact me promptly to discuss.

IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS MEDICATION IN SCHOOL 

Whenever possible, please administer your child’s medication AT HOME.

Remember that the school nurse is responsible for administering all medications (over the counter as well as prescription) at school. If your child needs to have a medication at school, please do not allow your child to carry the medication. The medication must be brought to school by an adult in a pharmacy labeled or manufacturer labeled container.

 

IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO TAKE ANY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION IN SCHOOL YOU MUST:

  1. Download the Physical Medication Form here:  Physician Medication Authorization Form.
  2. Have your child’s physician fill out the form above OR write a doctor’s order.
  3. Download the Parent Medication Consent Form here: Parent Medication Consent Form, fill it out and sign it.
  4. Bring the signed doctor’s order, Parent Medication Consent Form, and the medication to school. The medication must be in a labeled prescription bottle.

If your child needs to take any Ibuprofen (Motrin) while in school please obtain a doctor’s order and follow the steps above. Ibuprofen must be sealed in its original container.

In order for the school nurse to administer other over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, hand sanitizer, Caladryl, Benadryl, hydrocortisone cream (1%), or Epi-pen parents must:

  1. Download the Over the Counter Medication Form here: Over The Counter Medication Form fill it out and sign it.
  2. Bring, fax, mail, or e-mail the form to Student Health Services. Please note, a new form is needed each school year.

  • Whenever any new medication is prescribed for your child
  • In the event of a new medical diagnosis
  • Upon treatment for serious injury, illness or hospitalization
  • In follow up to any orthopedic procedures including casts, slings, sprains
  • With any concerns regarding your child’s health

PHYSICAL EXAMS

All newly enrolled students, as well as entering 7th and 10th grade students must have a physical exam within 30 days of starting school.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS 

Special note for 7th Grade Students and all newly enrolled students All students entering the 7th grade and beyond must have 2 doses of varicella vaccine and 1 dose of Tdap vaccine (Tetanus/ Diphtheria/Pertussis) PRIOR to returning to school. 

10th grade students must have meningitis immunization.As required by state regulations 102 CMR 7.07 and 105 CMR 220.00 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health established immunization requirements for attendance in public school. PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL WILL RESULT IF THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT MET.

School Lunch is an important part of your child’s day.

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.