Health Center

School Nurse: Elaine Bovaird, RN, BSN, NCSN. 508-829-6771 ext. 1330; Fax: 508-829-1689
Health Center Secretary: Wendy Horstman, ext. 1331

The Health Office Consists of the school nurse, Elaine Bovaird, RN, BSN, NCSN; health assistant Wendy Horstman; and a part-time registered nurse. The staff works to maintain the health and well-being of the students of Wachusett Regional High School, working closely with students when they visit for health-related issues, including wellness, illness, and injury. To better serve the students at the high school, parents should become familiar with the requirements and policies that the Health Office must comply with regarding your child. Parents with health-related questions should feel free to contact the Health Office during school hours. The Health Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.


Health Center Announcements

A school nurse is available to the students of WRHS throughout the day. Responsibilities include assessing and providing the appropriate health care to an ill or injured student. A parent or guardian will be notified of the problem, especially if the student requires further medical attention. Throughout the school year, the nurse reviews health records of the students, keeping them updated with required immunization and physical exam information. If a student does not have the required immunizations, the parent or guardian will be notified.

The Health Office also performs various health-related screenings. Parents are notified of abnormal results from these screenings. Annual Wellness screenings will be conducted Nov. 7, 8, and 9, 2011. Details about the screenings, and a form to opt out of a portion of them, are contained in a letter sent home from the district.

The Health Center encourages communication with students, parents/guardians, and the faculty. Important information about health situations and conditions will be related to the Wachusett community when deemed necessary. Confidentiality of the students, however, is strictly maintained as indicated by the parent or guardian.

An overview of WRHS Health Center policies is listed below.


WRHS Health Center Policies

Emergency Cards: Each child attending Wachusett Regional High School is required to have a completed emergency card on file in the Health Office on or before the first day of school. This card contains vital information regarding the child’s health and a way for the school to reach the parent, guardian or designated alternate in an emergency. Emergency contact phone numbers should be included in the event we cannot reach you. If there is an emergency situation and there is no responsible adult willing or able to pick up an injured or severely sick child, an ambulance will be called to transport the child to a hospital. In the event of an injury at the school, the school nurse or other trained personnel will administer First Aid.

Administering Medications to Student: Medications should be given at home whenever possible. In the event that medications must be administered at school, the following guidelines must be followed:

  • Students are not permitted to transport medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, to or from school. A parent, guardian or responsible adult shall deliver all medications to the High School. If there is a problem following this requirement, please call the school nurse.
  • Medications must be presented to the school nurse in the original pharmacy or manufacturer-labeled container. Please ask the pharmacist to provide you with an extra medication bottle for school.
  • There must be a written order from a doctor and written parental consent before the school nurse can administer medication. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medications. To allow administration of medications, parents must download the Physician/Parent Consent Form, have it filled out, and return it to the school nurse. This form must be on file for the school nurse to administer medications.
  • Self Administration Medication Policy: If your child needs to self administer a medication while in school, please contact the school nurse for the policy and procedure for self administration. Medications that can be carried and self administered are an Epipen, Medicated Inhalers for Asthma related illness or other medications the child’s physician, school nurse and parent/guardian deem necessary while in school.
  • The parent must provide written permission for the school nurse before over-the-counter medication can be administered in accordance to medication standard protocol. This consent is given on the high school emergency card.

Asthma, Allergies, and other Health Concerns: It is extremely important for parents/guardians to notify the school nurse each year of any health conditions that may affect the well being  of their child, such as allergies, asthma or other health issues. Please contact the Health Office so the condition can be discussed and a plan of care put in place. If your child requires medication, such as the use of an inhaler or an Epipen for these conditions, paperwork must be completed.

Mandated Immunization For High School Attendance: All incoming freshman (9th grade) and returning students are required by law to have the following immunizations and a written record of the immunizations from the physician:

  • Three (3) Hepatitis B vaccines
  • A Tetanus Booster (Tdap) (updated in 7th grade)
  • Two (2) MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines
  • Two (2) doses of the Chicken Pox vaccine if the child is more than 13 years old or documentation from a physician of the child’s history of Chicken Pox.
  • Recommended Meningococcal vaccine

If any or all of these immunizations are missing, your child may be excluded from school until they receive the vaccines or provide proof of exemption.

Exemptions From Immunizations: Students are exempt from immunizations for two reasons: medical or religious.

  • Medical exemptions: written documentation must be provided from the child’s physician stating the reason for the exemption.
  • Religious exemptions: There must be written documentation of the religious practice and a statement why immunization is contrary to the religious beliefs.
Physical Exams: A current physical exam is required to be on file in the Health Office. If your child has transferred from another school, please provide the Health Office with a copy of his/her physical exam, which should include the current immunization from your child's physician or former school. It is recommended that each child have a physical exam every three or four years. Parents may download the Physical Exam Form and have it completed by a physician. All students participating in school sports are required to have a physical exam before participating in sports each year. Physicals for sports are good for 13 months from the date of the physicals. If a family does not have the financial means to get a physical, they should contact the school nurse.

Health Screenings

  • Scoliosis: The state mandates that all 9th-graders be screened for scoliosis. The screenings are done during physical education classes with the assistance of the PE teachers. The school nurse and female PE teachers screen female students; male PE teachers screen the male students. Parents or guardians are notified prior to the screenings. If you have a concern, please call the school nurse. Scoliosis screenings will be done the week of January 23, 2012. If your child has had a current scoliosis screening and you do not want it done at the high school, please get a copy of the screening to the nurse by the first week of school.
  • Body Mass Index Assessment: The state mandates that all 10th-graders have a BMI index done to detect growth abnormalities in children. This assessment is done at the same time the Vision and Hearing Screenings are done. The BMI screening will be done on November 7, 8, and 9, 2011.Parents or guardians will be notified of the results.
  • Vision & Hearing Assessments: The state mandates that Vision and Hearing screening be performed on all sophomores 10th-graders). The screening will be on November 7, 8, and 9, 2011. Abnormal findings are reported to the parent or guardian.