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February, 2012
Dear Parents/Guardian,
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires the implementation of a Postural Screening Program for all students in grades 5-9. In order to comply with the law, the school nurse will be conducting the Postural Screening Program March 5-9, 2012. The screenings will be conducted during your child's scheduled gym class.
The purpose of postural screening is to evaluate students for early spinal problems. It is not a diagnostic service, but a program to identify students who should have further medical evaluation. The majority of students do not have any spinal problems.
Postural Screening is a simple, brief observation of the child's back while standing and bending forward. The child's shirt/blouse is removed to clearly observe the back. Female students are asked to wear a bathing suit top, camisole, a sport bra or halter top will be provided.
If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified by the school nurse. It is recommended to have your child examined by your regular physician. If your child does not have a spinal problem, I will not be contacting you again.
If your child has had a postural screening since the beginning of the school year, please provide documentation from the health care provider, if it has not already been given to the school nurse. Students will only be exempt from the screening if they have a note from their doctor or it has been noted on their physical on file at the school health office.
For fifth grade parents/guardian, please read the attached "Postural Screening Program" brochure. If you have any questions about postural screening, please contact me at the school health office at 978-422-7272.
Sincerely,
Judith Hopkins, RN School Nurse
postural screening.pdf
Swine Flu Information
Please click on links below:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
Massachusetts Department of Public Health http://www.mass.gov/blog/publichealth
Dear Parent or Guardian, School Policy requires the renewal of all medication orders and/or allergic reaction status each school year. A Physician Medication Order/Parent Consent form needs to be completed by your child's physician and by you for all prescriptions and most counter medications you desire your child to receive at school. The completed form and all medication needs to be returned to school by a responsible adult (not by student). Please remember that any medication brought to school by a student will be confiscated and will not be administered. It will not be returned to the student. Cough drops and TUMS are examples of medication and are not permitted to be in student's possession. If a student needs a cough drop, the nurse has non-medicated throat drops. Medication forms will be available in the front office. Any student who has medications in the nurse's office, the parents will received Medication forms at the end of the year. PLEASE NOTE: Medications on file this year must be picked up by a responsible adult no later than June 15. 2011. ALL MEDICATIONS NOT PICKED UP WILL BE DISCARDED, regardless of expiration date and owner. REMINDER to Parents of Students Entering 7th Grade: STATE LAW MANDATES that students entering Grade 7 in September MUST HAVE a second dose of MMR, update of TD if more than 5 years since last dose, on track with a series of 3 Hepatitis B Vaccine, and your physician's verification (month and year) of having had Varicella (Chicken Pox) or current Varicella immunization. Please mail proof of these immunizations to the school nurse. Your student will not be allowed to begin 7th grade until he/she is in compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. REMINDER to Parents of Students Entering 8th Grade: Your student must have an eighth grade physical within one year of the eighth grade school year. Please send a copy of your health care provider's findings to the school nurse to update the student's records. To All Athletes: Students who intend to try out for school sports --track, cross country, basketball, cheerleading, field hockey, softball, and baseball need to have a current physical examination report on file in the school nurses' office. The updated physical examination report must be complete and dated by the physician within one year of the beginning of each sport's season. Students cannot tryout for any sports team without this report being on file at school. All students are required to have their parent or guardian complete the green Athletic Eligibility Form which is available in the front office. A separate form must be filed for each sport in which the student wishes to participate. Thank you for your cooperation in these very important matters. If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse. Respectfully, Judith Hopkins, RN
Chocksett School Nurse
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