DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICES

*** Mobile Dentist ***   

Mobile Dentist will be returning to Ludlow Public Schools in May!  Permission forms do need to be returned in advance in order to schedule your child for his or her appointment!  Need a form?  Call your school nurse!                                           

Dates of Mobile Dentist site visits:

5/1/2013:  East Street School

5/2/2013:  Veterans Park School

5/3/2013:  Paul R. Baird Middle School

5/22/2013: Chapin Street School

Please use the chart below to navigate to the information found on this page.

*Required Staff Allergy/EpiPen Information
Please watch the Allergy/EpiPen Powerpoint Presentation by clicking here.
Click here to download, print, sign and return the acknowldgement form to the Main Office in your building.

Information on Cardiac Screening for LHS

Cardiac Screening for all LHS Athletes
Athletic Cardio Questionnaire

Health Policies

Ludlow District Wellness Policy
Ludlow District Life Threatening Allergy Plan   
Ludlow District Protocol and Guidelines for Management of Life Threatening Food Allergies
Concussion Policy

Influenza Information

Flu Symptom Checklist
Influenza Parent Information (English)
Influenza Parent Information (Portuguese)
The Cold/Flu Comparison

Visit the following links for more Information regarding H1N1:

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Health History Forms

• A health history form must be completed every fall upon entrance for every student. This form provides important medical information that the school nurse uses to provide care to the LPS students. A signature of a parent is required on this form in order for the LPS nurses to administer any standing order medication. No standing order medication will be given without a signed health history form on record.
• Health History Update Forms and Emergency Contact Sheets must be returned by the end of the first week of school. Students will not be able to attend any school activities including field trips without the Health History Update Form on file in the Health Office.

It is the responsibility of parents to provide updated medical information regarding their child to the school nurse. (See Health History Form)

Health History Update Form

Screenings

Screenings are conducted by the Health Office staff according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health  
If a student fails a screening, a parent/guardian notification letter is sent home requesting a follow up visit to the student’s Primary care Provider or a referral to a Specialist. Completed referral letters from physicians should be returned to the School Nurse when the referral is completed.  It is very important that students who fail their screenings always have a follow up visit to their physician to ensure further treatment is not necessary.  Keeping the Nursing Staff aware of any referral results is important part of the student’s health assessment.

Vision Screening: Performed annually on students grade PreK – 5, and grades 6 and 9.

Hearing Screening: Performed annually on Students PreK- through grade 3 and grades 6 and 9

Postural: Performed annually on students in grades 5-9

Immunizations

All students must have physician proof of immunizations on file in the health office or prior to school entrance in compliance with Massachusetts General Law 76, section 15.

Certificate of Immunization Form

Physical Exams

A copy of a student’s most recent physical exam is required upon entering Kindergarten, 4th, 7th, and 10th grade. Sports physicals must be completed annually and on file in the health office prior to participation in any sport. Students will not be allowed to try-out for any sport without a current physical exam. (See Massachusetts School Health Record Form)

Massachusetts School Health Record Form

Medication Policy

All medication (including over the counter medication) must be accompanied by a physician order and written parental permission before medication will be administered to the student. All medication (both prescription and over the counter) must be stored in the nurse’s office. Medication must be received in its original container and be properly labeled. No more than a 30 day supply of medication can be stored at school. Medication must be transported to and from school by an adult. A physician’s order is needed in order to discontinue administering a medication. Medications left in the health office will be destroyed 7 days after the discontinue order. The LPS district retains the discretion to reject requests for administration of medication. (See Medications Forms)

Medication Administration Care Plan
Student Procedure Self Administration Form - Medication  
Physician Order Form
Epipen Form
Asthma Action Plan
Life Threatening Allergy Plan

Illness/First Aid

• Assessment of student illness or injury occurring during school hours is a significant part of school health services. Care is provided as needed in the health office. Parents/guardians are notified of any significant injuries or signs of illness that may require further observation, intervention, or follow up with the student’s primary care provider. In the event of an emergency, local EMS services will be activated.
• Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting their children home when illness or injury occur at school.
• Illnesses or injuries that occur at home should be taken care of at home or by the student’s primary care provider.

Parent Tips on When To keep your Child Home

1. A fever of 100 degrees or higher. A child should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school and not taking any fever reducing medications.
2. Diarrhea or vomiting, students can return to school when they have been free of both for 24 hours.
3. Rash that could be contagious; please have any rash checked by your pediatrician.
4. Physician diagnosed strep throat, or bacterial conjunctivitis – students must stay home from school until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours.
5. Bad cold or flu when there is excessive nose drainage or constant coughing.
6. If your child is diagnosed with head lice, he/she must be treated and be nit free before returning to school. Your child must checked by the school nurse upon returning to school after treatment.
7. Communicable diseases including but not limited to chicken pox, whooping cough (pertussis), meningitis, scabies or shigella.
8. Pain should be taken seriously in young children. Earaches, toothaches, and headaches should be evaluated by your child’s physician.
   
9. If you have any questions regarding any of the above information, please contact your school nurse.

Communicable Disease Information

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has identified the following as being particular problems among school population:

1. Conjunctivitis (pink eye)-antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school
2. Impetigo-rash that has not been checked by your child's physician. Students can return with a note from MD stating the rash is not contagious.
3. Streptococcal Infections (strep throat) - must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.
   
4. Pediculosis (head lice) – must be nit free before returning to school.
   
5. Scabies – may return 24 hours after treatment with prescribed MD medication
6. Chicken Pox – all lesions must be dried
7. Fifths Disease – must be fever free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours
8. Fever of 100 degrees or higher-must be fever free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
9. Vomiting and Diarrhea- free of both for 24 hours before returning to school.
10. Influenza-Like-Illness – fever free without Tylenol or ibuprofen for 24 hours before returning to school
    

*This list is not all inclusive. Please contact the school nurse if you have any questions.

Medical Concerns

Should your child’s health status change during the school year, please be sure to notify the School Nurse.

Communication

Maintaining communications with your child’s nurse is very important. Please make sure that health information, telephone numbers, and addresses on your child’s emergency card and health and health record are accurate.

Parents Please Be Aware of a Change in the Nursing Standing Orders!!

Cough drops will not be permitted in school any longer due to the choking hazard created by cough drops. Site based nurses will not provide cough drops to students. Students will not be permitted to bring cough drops into school from home. Students who require cough drops will require an order from their physician along with necessary medication forms on file in the nurse’s office. Increasing fluid intake is the single most recommended treatment for coughs. If your child’s cough is persistent, please contact your physician for medical advice and treatment.

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