IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that public school students receive a series of immunizations, which is described below.

Preschool Entry Requirements

  • At least 4 doses DTaP/DTP
  • At least 3 doses Polio
  • 1 dose MMR
  • 3 doses Hepatitis B
  • 1 to 4 doses Hib
  • 1 Lead Test
  • 1 dose Varicella or physician-documented case of chickenpox

Kindergarten Entry Requirements

  • 5 doses DTaP/DTP
  • 4 doses Polio
  • 2 doses MMR
  • 3 doses Hepatitis B
  • 1 Lead Test
  • 2 doses Varicella or physician-documented case of chickenpox

All Other Grades

Immunizations are required according to Massachusetts State Guidelines and vary at each grade level.  These requirements can be reviewed on the state website. Consult with your school nurse for more detailed information.

Additional Requirements for School Entry

All prospective Haverhill Pubic School students must have a physical examination within one year of entry.

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME

In an effort to minimize the spread of contagious diseases, The Haverhill School Health Services has developed the following policy to determine if your child needs to be sent home or go to school. Students should not miss school unnecessarily, but other students and staff should be protected from contagious disease.  Haverhill Public School policy states that a student is to be sent home under the following conditions:

  • A fever or 100.5° or greater
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea with 2 or more episodes within the previous 24 hours or during the school day
  • Rash of unknown origin (Must be evaluated by doctor with note to return)
  • Live head lice (Must be treated at home and then re-checked by school nurse with parent/guardian present to return to school.)
  • Irritability, lethargy, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or other signs of severe illness.

Ways to Keep Your Child Healthy

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Please try to eat something nutritious before school. This will help you focus and stay awake. Also, remember to bring a water bottle to school so you can drink plenty of water throughout the day!

When sick rest at home. If possible, stay home; avoid school and errands when you are sick. It will help prevent others from catching your illness. Avoid contact with people who are sick. You can find out more about good health habits at this CDC website.  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm

Things to Do to Help Prevent Illness

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue away after use and wash your hands. If there is no tissue handy, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve instead of your hand.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after sneezing or coughing. In the absence of soap and water, use a hand sanitizer alcohol base.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect common surfaces contact at home, at work or at school, especially when someone is sick.

MANDATED HEALTH SCREENINGS

Throughout the school year the following mandated health screenings are provided:

BMI, Height and Weight Screening.  This is done on graders 1and 4. Letters will not be sent home unless parents/guardians ask for one.  State regulation requires all data be sent to the state Department of Health and Human Services.  No names are sent to the state with this data.

 

Postural/Scoliosis Screening.  This is done on grade 5.  A letter will be sent home prior to this being done.  The letter will include the dates, and what your child should wear that day. There is also a spot where you may sign if you do not want your child done at school.  Signing this means, you will get the results from your child’s doctor and give them to the school nurse.

 

Vision Screenings.  These are done yearly upon entry to school through the 5th grade.  Letters will be sent home with results and acknowledgement forms that must be returned to the school nurse.

 

Hearing Screenings.  These are done upon entry to school and every year through the 3rd grade.  Letters will be sent home with results and acknowledgement forms that must be returned to the school nurse.

MEDICATION POLICIES

Haverhill Public Schools has adopted a student medication policy  in accordance with Massachusetts General Law regarding medication administration in schools. These policies have been designed for the safety of all students attending the Haverhill Public Schools Schools.

Daily or As Needed Prescribed Medications

Any child requiring medications during the school day, either scheduled, or as needed must have appropriate orders and permissions.

If your child needs to take prescription medication during the school day, please do the following:

  • For any prescription medication (daily or as needed) to be given during the school day, the parent/guardian must complete the Parent/Guardian Permission to Administer Medication Form:

    or contact your child’s school nurse for a copy.

  • Have your child’s doctor complete the Medication Administration Form. This form must be signed by the doctor and the parent/guardian.
  • Deliver the medication to the school nurse. Parents/guardians must bring the medication to the school nurse. Do not send in medication with your child.
    1. Medication must be supplied in the original container and labeled with the pharmacy label.
    2. Medication in current pharmacy labelled container must match description on pharmacy label.
    3. Medications must be delivered by an adult. do not send medications with your child to deliver to the nurse!
    4. We cannot accept “loose” medication in baggies.
    5. If the medication is also taken at home, ask the pharmacy to dispense with medication in two separate containers, one for home and one for school.
    6. Only 30 days worth of medication (20 school days per month!)can be accepted at a time.
  • Parents/guardians must pick up all unused, discontinued, or outdated medications at the end of each school year. Uncollected medications will be destroyed by the school nurse according to Massachusetts regulation.
  • Whenever it is possible t0 maintain the medication administration at home, it is recommended. This reduces lost time on learning, and increases consistency when child is not at school. some examples are: Medications prescribed once per day (extended release), or twice per day (in the AM before school, and in the evening), or even three times per day (in the AM, after school, before bedtime).

Students may not self-administer medication in school unless they have been approved to do so by the School Nurse. Contact your child’s School Nurse for further information.

School Standing Orders

Health offices are equipped with a limited number of As Needed medications prescribed by our school physician. Use of these medications is at the discretion of the school nurse, based on assessment. These medications include: Epinephrine Auto-injector, Nasal Narcan, Ibuprofen (Motrin), Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Calcium Carbonate (TUMS – age 12 and up), Burn Gel or Aloe Vera Gel, Bacitracin Ointment, Calamine-based/Anti-itch Lotion/Gel, 1% Hydrocortisone Ointment, Oragel, and Hand Sanitizer 60-70% Ethanol Alcohol

Please complete the Annual Health Update to renew your permission for these medications to be administered at school.

Self Administration of Medication In schools

Students may be approved by the school nurse to self-administer medication (without visiting the school nurse) during the school day. A number of requirements must be met in order to allow students to self-administer, including, but not limited to:

  • Written agreement between the nurse and parent/guardian
  • Student demonstrates to the nurse that they are capable of self-administering medication according to school and medication administration policies
  • Self-administration is safe and appropriate for the student’s health condition.

If you have any questions, contact your child’s School Nurse.

Thank you for complying with our medication policies. These policies are in place to keep all children safe.