Janet Hiersche, RN, BSN, NCSN

Jane Tobey, Health Assistant

Click here to view and print the Health Office Information.

First Aid and Emergencies

I am available for first aid and health emergencies as they arise during the school
day. Minor scrapes and bumps are treated and your child is usually returned to class. If
the injury needs your attention and observation when your child goes home, you will
receive a note or phone call from me.
If the injury requires immediate medical attention, you will be called. Please be
sure you keep the information on the emergency forms up-to-date so that we can reach
you or another designated adult.

Head Lice

Head lice are a fact of life in schools every year. Some years there are a few
cases, other years we see more. These tiny parasites are a nuisance, but do not carry
diseases. The most important and time consuming part of the treatment is to remove the
nits (eggs) that are attached to the hair. This will prevent your child from becoming reinfested.
If you discover head lice on your child please notify me. Once treated, bring
your child to school to see me and be checked before returning to class. I will check the
rest of the class and a note goes home to make other parents aware of the need to check
their child’s head over the next couple of weeks. Please don’t hesitate to call me with
questions about head lice and their treatment.

Health Education

There are many opportunities for health education throughout the school year. It
might be a formal presentation to classrooms or informal teaching about germs while
caring for your child’s cut or educating about head lice while checking heads. I also act
as a resource for teachers by obtaining health education materials for their use in the
classroom or scheduling speakers on such topics as Lyme Disease.

Health Screenings

Each year all grades are screened for height, weight, vision and hearing.
Kindergarteners are screened during September. Grades 1-4 are screened in
October/November. Any child who fails the vision or hearing the first time around is
rescreened. If they fail the rescreening, a referral will sent to the parent/guardian for
further medical evaluation.
Screenings are a useful tool for finding potential health problems that might
interfere with learning. As with any testing there can be false negatives and false
positives. Hopefully, by rescreening, they can be weeded out. However, occasionally a
child will screen poorly at school and do fine in the doctor's office. Conversely,
sometimes children will pass a screening at school only to show up with a problem
shortly afterwards. If your child passes the screenings at school, but you still feel there
may be a problem with his/her vision or hearing, don’t hesitate to consult their
pediatrician.

Illness

Children need to feel well to learn. While every cold, ache and cough shouldn’t
keep your child home, sometimes being in school is not wise.
If your child is running a fever (100 or above), has diarrhea, vomiting or an
unexplained rash they should not come to school that day. They must be fever free,
without medication, for 24 hours before returning to school. A frequent cough can be
exhausting for your child and a distraction to the whole class. Your common sense will
guide you.
If your child will be out for 3 or more days, please let me know. Please
remember that your child can not be dismissed with anyone that is not on the emergency
form without your permission.
Click here for more information on specific illnesses and attending school.

Immunizations

All Massachusetts school children are required to have certain immunizations in
order to attend school. For a listing of those immunizations click here. Children may be exempt
from immunizations for medical or religious reasons. If medical, documentation is needed from
your child’s physician. If religious, the parent/guardian must write a letter to the school stating this
exemption. Children who are not fully immunized may be excluded from school, from
day 10-day21 of exposure, if there is an outbreak of disease, (i.e. pertussis, measles, etc.).
Please remember that it is the parent/guardian responsibility to obtain the
necessary immunizations and supply the dates to the school. Failure to comply with this
law can result in your child being excluded from school until all requirements are met.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration takes place in the spring. Be sure to bring a copy of
your child’s birth certificate, immunization record and most recent physical exam (checkup).
It will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete the paperwork. It is not
necessary to have your child with you. If you have any health concerns regarding your
child, this is an excellent time to bring it to my attention. Please note that you will also
need proof of residency to register (utility bill, mortgage, lease, etc.).

Medications

Some students need medication during the school day. Here are some guidelines
to keep your child safe:
1. If your child will take medication daily, or on an as-needed basis
throughout the school year (i.e. inhaler), a parent permission form and a
physician permission form must be on file for each medication.
2. If your child is on a medication for 10 days or less (i.e. antibiotic), a parent
permission form is needed.
3. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications usually just require a parent
permission form.
4. Cough drops, throat lozenges-require a note from parent
5. All prescription medications must be in original container and properly
labeled with your child’s name. All OTC medications must be in original
packaging and must be labeled as appropriate for age.
6. All medications must be brought to the health office by an adult. Students
are not allowed to transport medications to/from home.
7. Certain emergency medications can be carried by the student with specific
permission from physician, parent and school nurse. Examples are
EpiPens, inhalers and insulin pumps.
8. No herbal medications or vitamins are given at school.

Procedures and Care Plans

Children often need specialized procedures done in school related to an illness or
condition. A child with asthma may need a nebulizer treatment, while a child with
diabetes will need their blood glucose checked on a regular basis. Tube feedings,
suctioning and catheterizations are just some of the procedures that are done in schools.
Because of this, many children are able to attend school who could not do so in
the past. If your child needs a specialized procedure, either temporary or permanent,
contact me. Together, with your child’s teacher, we can develop an Individualized
Health Care Plan that will address and meet your child’s needs during the school day.

Staff

The Health Office is also available for staff members. Flu immunization clinics,
blood pressure checks, information on medications, illness, injury and other health related
issues are some of the uses.