Click here to read a message from Superintendent Marie H. Doyle
Health Requirements for Attendance in LPS
Health Requirements for the Longmeadow Public Schools
are listed below.
Preschool: Physicals
exams are needed by all children
entering the preschool program for the first time. A copy of the child’s immunizations should
also be presented.
Elementary (Grades
K-5):Physical exams are needed by all students entering kindergarten, all
students new to the Longmeadow Public Schools, and all students entering grade
4.
New immunization requirements effective for those entering
Kindergarten in September 2011 are the following:
2 doses of live measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
given at least 4 weeks apart and after 12 months of age are required for all
students as well as 2 doses of varicella vaccine.
Middle(Grades 6-8):Physical exams are needed by all
students new to the Longmeadow Public Schools and all students entering grade
7.
New immunization requirements effective forSeptember 2011 in grade 7 are the following:
2 doses of live measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
given at least 4 weeks apart and after 12 months of age are required for all
students as well as 2 doses of
varicella vaccine.In addition,
a Tdap vaccine is also
required.
High School (Grades 9-12):Physical exams are required of all
students new to Longmeadow
Public Schools, students
participating in athletics and all students entering grade 10.
For students new to the Longmeadow Public Schools, please
note that Certificates of Immunization should be presented to the school nurse
for compliance, prior to your child’s entrance into the Longmeadow Public
Schools.
To read the laws
surrounding school immunization, please use the following link:
A cumulative health record including copies of physical examinations,
immunizations, screenings, and emergency information is kept on each pupil
throughout his/her school career.
Growth and Development
Heights and weights are checked intermittently throughout the student’s
school career. Parents are notified when there is a marked deviation
from the previous result.
Screenings
Postural screenings are performed on all students in grades 5-9. Parents
are notified of any deviations.
Vision and hearing screenings are periodically throughput the school
career. Parents are notified of abnormal results.
Conditions for Exclusion from School
Students may be excluded from school if their immunizations are not up to
date according to state guidelines.
Certain communicable diseases may require exclusion. This is handled
on a case-by-case basis as the need arises.
If a student is diagnosed with conjunctivitis he/she may not return
to school until three doses of the prescribed medication have been given.
Health education
The school nurse is a valuable resource within the school and is available
to go into the classroom. Certain topics such as first aid are taught
to specified groups of students.
Medication
Information
All prescription medications require a written physician’s order before
medication administration can take place. Parental permission is also required.For prescription medication, contact your child’s school nurse or obtain
forms available on district website. The parent/legal guardian completes
and signs one section and the doctor the other. The order must be renewed as
needed and at the start of each school year. Medicines are to be delivered
to school in a pharmacy labeled container by the parent or responsible adult. Ask
your pharmacist to provide separate home and school bottles. No more than
a 30 day supply of medicine should be delivered to school.
School Health Staff:
Blueberry Hill School: Mrs. Lori Paolucci, RN - 565-4280
Center School: TBD, RN - 565-4290
Wolf Swamp Road School: Mrs. Kathy Berte, LPN - 565-4270
Glenbrook Middle School: Mrs. Kristen Casey, RN - 565-4250
Williams Middle School: Mrs. Elizabeth Gartman, RN - 565-4260
Longmeadow High School: Mrs. Charlotte Steele, RN - 565-4220
All school nurses are registered nurses or licensed
practical nurses with experience in pediatrics or public health. All registered
nurses, like teachers, are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
The registered nurses must meet the same continuing education requirements as
teachers as well as the requirements to maintain their nursing licenses and
national certifications.
The primary function of school health personnel is to assure a safe and
wholesome environment and to insure children and staff the best possible
services and programs. The focus of school health is also to promote
knowledgeable health practices and to prevent situations and circumstances that
impede learning or threaten optimal health.
The school physician performs medical exams and is a consultant to
school health services personnel on student health issues.
