Health Services
School Nurses
Each school has a nurse available to students. Parents are encouraged to contact the school nurse to inform her of medical conditions, particularly if medication must be administered at school. The school nurse may be reached by calling the school office at 508-384-5430.
Emergency Information
Each September, parents are required to update emergency information for each student via the Aspen Parent Portal. Please contact the school office if you need a hard copy of the form. We ask parents to notify the school as soon as possible when changing addresses, telephone numbers, or e-mail addresses during the school year.
Physical Examination Requirements in Kindergarten and Grade 4
All students entering kindergarten and fourth grade are required to have a current physical examination on file with the school. This should be completed by your family physician. Written verification of the physical examination is required to be part of every student’s Health Record.
Immunization Requirements
In accordance with state law, all students must be successfully vaccinated against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and poliomyelitis. Therefore, no student may enter Wrentham Public Schools until the school nurse has all of the necessary immunization certifications. Dates are required, including both month and year of the immunizations, plus the physician’s signature. State law also requires that every student entering kindergarten must present evidence of being screened for lead poisoning.
Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, students in Kindergarten – Grade 12 will be required to receive the influenza (flu) vaccine for school attendance, by December 31, 2020, unless they have a medical or religious exemption. These exemptions must be provided, in writing, to the school nurse at the start of each new school year.
Newly enrolling students between January 1 and March 31 must have a documented dose of influenza vaccine for the current influenza season (along with all other required vaccinations) when they start school.
The school immunization requirements, including the requirement for seasonal influenza vaccine, apply to all Massachusetts students enrolled in Kindergarten through Grade 12, regardless of whether the district is providing instruction in-person, or using a hybrid or remote learning model. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations
Screenings
The following screening tests are mandated by state law: vision, hearing, postural screening (5th and 6th graders), and Body Mass Index (1st and 4th graders). The school will notify a student’s parents or guardians if there are concerns as a result of the screening:
Life Threatening Allergy (LTA)
Parents of students with an LTA must contact the school nurse to implement the procedures outlined in our Life Threatening Allergy Policy. See section JR of the School Committee Policy here.
Illness
Students who are ill may not attend school. Students returning to school following an illness should be completely recovered (24 hours since the fever went away and/or the vomiting stopped) and able to participate in school, including physical education and recess. Upon a student’s return to school, parents must send in a note explaining the nature and duration of the illness. Students returning to school after a communicable disease and/or five consecutive days absent must also have a doctor’s note and report to the school nurse before returning to the classroom.
Please do not send your student to school for at least 72 hours if they have any of the following symptoms of illness:
- Fever is a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
- Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.
- Diarrhea is a sudden onset of three or more loose stools in a day. Students will be sent home if they come to school with any of the above symptoms.
Head Lice
When a student is suspected of having head lice, the school nurse will examine the student. If the results are positive, the parents will be notified by the nurse. All of the students in that class will then be examined. The nurse will also examine any siblings attending Wrentham Public Schools. A student will not be readmitted until he/she has been examined by the nurse and is free of nits. A notice will be sent home with all students in the classroom.
Medication
Medicating students in pre-kindergarten through grade six is the responsibility of the students’ parents and physicians. Medication cannot be administered to students without a Medication Administration Form signed by a parent or guardian and, in the case of prescription medications, by the licensed prescriber. The medication must be sent to the school nurse with the appropriate form and the medication must be in an original, clearly marked container. Medication Administration Forms are available in the Nurse’s Office and on our website. All medication must be transported to school by a parent or guardian or their adult designee.
All parents who require that their students be medicated during school hours are to contact the nurse. The nurse will give the parent the proper forms to be filled out and signed. If a drug is a prescribed medication, both the physician and the parent must sign the school forms. Under no circumstances should any medication be brought to school without first contacting the school nurse, who will then make a medication delivery plan with the parent.
All medicines must be delivered to the nurse by the parent, and medication will be placed in a secured area. Absolutely no medication is to be brought to the school by the student.
The medicine is to be in a prescription bottle from the pharmacy, bearing the following information:
- Name of Student
- Name of Drug
- Dose of Drug and instructions on administration
- Name of Physician
- Date
In the case of students who have known adverse reactions to insect bites, and the parents have provided the school with the medication (Epi-pen or ANA kit), the nurse will instruct the teacher and principal in the proper administration if the nurse is not in the building when needed. Medication on field trips is the responsibility of the parents. Teachers are not responsible for administering daily medication to students while out of school on a field trip.
Wellness Policy and Procedures
Wrentham Public Schools recognizes the important relationship between wellness, academic success, and lifelong health. The intent of this policy is to outline the school’s commitment in support of wellness in the areas of nutrition, physical activity and other school based activities that promote health and wellness. Please visit the School Committee section of the Wrentham Public Schools website to read the policy.
To comply with the expectations outlined in Massachusetts General Law c 111 223 “An Act
Relative to School Nutrition,” foster student safety, and promote equitable student experiences in all classes, no food is allowed in classrooms other than students’ individual snacks and lunches. Teachers and parents are encouraged to choose non-food items for celebrations.
Exceptions to the above may be made at the discretion of the building principal for special events. Teachers must submit a WPS Wellness Policy Food Event Request Form to the principal at least two weeks prior to the event for approval by the principal and school nurse. Food items must be safe for students with food allergies and comply with the expectations outlined in Massachusetts General Law c 111 223 “An Act Relative to School Nutrition”:
- Water, low-fat milk, and 8 ounces of 100% juice.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Snacks made of at least 51% whole grain, 200 calories or fewer per serving, and prepackaged.
- No artificial sweeteners or trans fats.
Accommodations will be made so that all students can participate in classroom events that involve food. Parents are encouraged to contact the school nurse or principal if they have any questions or feedback about the Wellness Policy. The Wellness Committee meets throughout the school year to update the Wellness Policy. Please let your nurse or principal know what works well and what we can improve.