Student Services
A. Health
1. School Entry Requirements
Immunizations: All immunizations must meet Massachusetts Department of Public Health minimum requirements and must be certified in writing by a licensed physician. State law requires the following immunizations of all children entering kindergarten (and preschool where noted):
· DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) - 5 doses (4 doses for preschool) · Oral Polio - 4 doses (3 doses for preschool) · MMR (Measles, Mumps Rubella) - 2 doses (1 dose for preschool) · Hepatitis B - 3 doses (for children born on or after 1/1/92) (3 doses also for preschool) · Varicella Vaccine or proof of chicken pox (1 dose for preschool) · Exemption for medical or religious reasons requires appropriate documentation. See school nurse.
Lead Screening: Required of all students entering preschool and kindergarten.
Food Allergies: If your child has food allergies, please get in touch with the school nurse, principal, and head lunch supervisor.
Physical Examinations: All students entering the Winchester Public Schools as a new student (including transfer and kindergarten) must have written proof of a physical examination performed by their private physician. An exam completed within one year of the student’s date of entry will be accepted.
THESE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET BEFORE THE STUDENT IS ALLOWED TO START SCHOOL. YOUR CHILD WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM SCHOOL UNTIL THE REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.
2. Health Services And Policies
Routine Nursing Services: The health room at Lynch School is located adjacent to the office. A school nurse is assigned to Lynch School for the entire school day. On occasion, when the nurse is out of the building, another school nurse will be on call to answer questions and cover emergencies.
Serious Emergencies: The school nurse will take primary responsibility. If the nurse is not in the building, the principal or teacher in charge will assume primary responsibility. First aid will be administered and, if necessary, the student will be transferred by ambulance to the Winchester Hospital. Every effort will be made to contact the parents. The parent may be requested to call the emergency room to give permission for treatment.
Medication: The school nurse is the only school personnel authorized to administer medication. Other designated personnel may be authorized to give medication to a student while away from school on a field trip or in an emergency, life-threatening situation. Whenever possible, the medication schedule should be adjusted to fall outside school hours. If this is not possible, a written, signed, dated request must be made by the physician and the parent authorizing the dispensing of medication in school. Written authorization from the parent/guardian only is needed for over-the-counter medications. An authorized adult should deliver the medication to the school nurse or secretary. No student should carry medicines on the school bus or in the school building. If a parent prefers, he/she may come to school and administer the medication.
Screening: The following health screenings are administered to all students: · VISION screening performed annually in grades K-5 · HEARING screening performed annually in grades K-3 · POSTURAL screening performed annually in grade 5 · HEIGHT & WEIGHT measured annually in grades K-5 · PEDICULOSIS (head lice) screening semi-annually, or as needed, in all grades K - 5 Winchester School Health Update: A health update form for each student is sent home by the school nurse at the beginning of each school year. Parents are required to complete this form annually and return it to school. This form is necessary to keep student health records current. The Health Update form also includes current emergency information: · Home and work telephone numbers for parents/guardians · Names and telephone numbers of other responsible adults that can be contacted in the parents’/guardians’ absence · Names and telephone numbers of child’s physician and dentist · Health insurance information
3. Illnesses
PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED NOT TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY APPEAR ILL.
A child should remain at home for his or her own welfare and for the protection of other students. A child should remain at home if he or she has any of the following:
· a severe cold
· persistent cough
· sore throat or swollen glands accompanied by a fever
· an undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions
· earache
· red eyes or drainage from the eyes
· vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
· a fever during the past 24 hours
If a child becomes ill at school, parents will be notified and will be expected to provide transportation for their sick child. Children will not be allowed to leave school alone and should be picked up from the school office.
4. Communicable Diseases
Chicken Pox: Isolation from school for one (1) week following appearance of rash. All eruptions must be dry and scabbed over.
Strep Throat (including Scarlet Fever): Children may return to school after being on adequate antibiotic medication for 24 hours and after being without fever for 24 hours.
Pediculosis (Head Lice): If a child is found to be infested with lice, he/she will be sent home for treatment with a medicated shampoo. All nits must be removed from the child’s hair. The child may return to school with a parent/guardian and will be checked by the school nurse before being allowed to return to the classroom. If a parent/guardian discovers head lice on their child, please notify the school nurse so appropriate precautions can be taken to prevent their spread to classmates. We cannot eliminate lice, but with Winchester’s “nit free” policy and everyone’s cooperation we hope to control it.
5. AIDS/HIV Infection Policy
The Winchester School Department is in compliance with the guidelines recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for students with AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) or HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). These guidelines are available in each school’s health handbook.
6. Tobacco Policy
The Winchester School Committee has adopted a policy prohibiting the use of tobacco products within school buildings, school grounds, and school buses by any individual including school personnel.
7. A Directory Of Primary Care Providers For Children
A directory for Winchester and adjacent towns is available in the health office.
8. Low Cost Student Accident Insurance is available.
