Health Policy

In case of illness, parents will be contacted from phone numbers on the child’s Student Enrollment Form. If parents cannot be contacted, the school will call people listed as alternate contacts on the Student Enrollment Form and/or Release Form. Children will be released only to a person listed on these forms, unless the parent makes other arrangements. Parents may be asked to come and take home any child arriving at school with signs/symptoms of being ill or who becomes ill while at school. Our goal is to insure a positive, healthy school experience for all children and staff.

In an emergency situation where the parents can’t be reached, the child’s doctor will be consulted, when possible. If the emergency is life threatening, the child may be transported to a hospital emergency room, and the parents notified as soon as possible.

Simple first aid equipment, such as band-aids, ice packs, and supplies for cleansing small wounds, will be available in the classroom area. Other first aid will be provided by the school nurse.

Parents are encouraged to arrange medication schedules so that children can take their required dosage before and after school. When it is necessary for a child to take medication during school hours, the medication policy for grades K-8 of the Sharon Public Schools will be followed.

CHILDREN MUST BE KEPT HOME FROM SCHOOL:

  • if they have a temperature of 100 degrees or more (child should remain home until at least 24 hours after fever is gone, without using fever-reducing medications, like acetaminophen [Tylenol] or ibuprofen [Motrin or Advil]).
  • if they have had vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours

if they have an undiagnosed rash

if they have a cold with watery nose, glassy eyes, and persistent cough or sneeze

if they are ill with other symptoms that might represent a communicable sickness, they should stay home until they are completely well for 24 hours

if they have weeping or bleeding lesions that cannot be covered or effectively controlled with medication

Parents of children with allergies must submit a list of substances that trigger allergic reactions and a description of the type of reaction usually experienced. The list may be shared with teachers, assistants, and volunteers as needed to prevent exposure. Children subject to anaphylactic reactions due to bee stings or other allergies should bring emergency medication to be kept at school with physician’s instructions for its use.

The guidelines of the Massachusetts Department of Health Immunization Program state that “No child shall be required under this regulation to have such immunization if his parent(s) objects thereto, in writing, on the grounds that it conflicts with their religious beliefs, or if the child’s physician submits documentation that such a procedure is contraindicated.” Exceptions to the immunization laws will be granted on that basis.

Policy on Dispensing Medication

All prescription and nonprescription medications must be administered by the nurse. Parents should bring to the nurse a signed physician’s order which is dated and states what kind of medication, dosage, and criteria for administration, as well as a parent permission form which will be provided to you by the school nurse. It is the parents’ responsibility to bring an appropriate supply of medication to the nurse, in the original pharmacy container. Medication must be delivered in person to the school nurse; students should never transport medication to and from school. Medication is administered only by the school nurse and is stored in a locked cabinet.