Nurse, Health Office, and Medications
Any student requiring the services of the school nurse should receive a pass from the teacher and report to the health office, or the main office if the health office is closed.
ACCIDENTS AND FIRST AID CARE POLICY
School authorities have the responsibility to provide emergency care to protect the life and comfort of a child when in the school, or when participating in school-sponsored activities, until authorized treatment is secured. Following this, the child should be placed under the care of his/her parent or guardian, upon whom rests the responsibility for subsequent treatment. If the child is transported, or care is transferred to emergency medical staff, subsequent treatment is the responsibility of the parents. When possible, the district shall ensure that CPR and/or First Aid trained adults are available for all school sponsored events and activities, such as field trips, school sports events, and other such gatherings that are planned for students.
In the event that the parent or other responsible person is not available, the school shall retain supervision over an ill or injured child until appropriate medical personnel have arrived.
The school cannot assume responsibility for accidents occurring at home or during non-school sponsored activities.
Injuries occurring during school or school-sponsored activities must be duly recorded. The school nurse shall notify the Principal or designee and parents/guardians of all significant injuries or illnesses requiring medical attention as soon as possible.
If any person in good faith renders emergency care at the place of any emergency, or while in transit in an ambulance or rescue vehicle, to a person who is in urgent need of care as a result of the emergency, and if the acts of care are made in good faith and without willful or wanton negligence, the person who renders the care is not liable in civil damages for his/her acts or omissions in rendering the care, as long as he/she receives no direct compensation for the care from or on behalf of the person cared for. Any person rendering emergency care shall have the duty to place the injured person under the care of the physician, nurse, or other person qualified to care for such person as soon as possible and to obey the instructions of the qualified person. RSA 508:12
A complete copy of district policy 4024 can be found on the school district website or at 4024 - Accidents and First Aid Care Policy - Policies - Section 4000 - Milford School District (milfordk12.org)
CHILD ABUSE REPORTING
Statutorily Mandated Reporting – All Persons
Under New Hampshire law (RSA 169-C:29), every person who has “reason to suspect” that a child has been abused or neglected is required to report that suspicion to DCYF (Division of Children, Youth and Families of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services) or directly to the police. Under RSA 169-C:30, the initial report “shall be made immediately via telephone or otherwise.”
The requirement to report is not dependent on whether there is proof of the abuse or neglect, nor is it dependent upon whether the information suggests the abuse or neglect is continuing or happened in the past. Any doubt regarding whether to report should be resolved in favor of reporting. Failure to report may be subject to criminal prosecution, while a report made in good faith is entitled to both civil and criminal immunity.
The report should contain:
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- the name and address of the child suspected of being abused or neglected,
- the person responsible for the child's welfare,
- the specific information indicating neglect/abuse or the nature and extent of the child's injuries (including any evidence of previous injuries),
- the identity of the person or persons suspected of being responsible for such neglect or abuse; and
- any other information that might be helpful in establishing neglect or abuse.
To report child abuse or neglect to DCYF, call 24/7 (800) 894-5533 (in-state) or (603) 271-6562. In cases of current emergency or imminent danger, call 911.
The Bureau of Child and Family Services, Division of Children and Youth Services is the State agency mandated to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse to determine whether or not abuse is occurring. This responsibility DOES NOT lie with the school.
All citizens of New Hampshire are mandated to make an oral report of any suspected child abuse immediately to DCYF. School personnel are specifically identified as mandated reporters. Such an oral report is to be followed within forty-eight (48) hours by a written report, if requested, to the Bureau.
Schools must allow trained Bureau caseworkers and law enforcement personnel to enter school facilities, interview students, and audio or video tape the interview without the consent or notification of the parent or parents of a child if there is suspicion that the child has been abused or neglected.
Schools must allow the investigating caseworker from the Bureau to take, or cause to be taken, photographs and/or x-rays of children’s injuries who are subjects of a child abuse report. Such photographs or x-rays may be taken without the consent of the child’s parents or guardians.
The Bureau may request and shall receive any assistance and information from schools that will enable it to fulfill its obligations to complete an investigation into alleged child abuse.
Under State “right to know” laws, parents maintain the right of access to information compiled in their child’s school records. However, it is also the school’s right to withhold certain information which identifies either the person who made the report or those who cooperated in a subsequent investigation, if the school believes the release of this information would be detrimental to the safety and interest of the reporting person.
A complete copy of district policy 2408 can be found on the school district website or at 2408 - Child Abuse Reporting - Policies - Section 2400 - Milford School District (milfordk12.org)
Any minor, twelve years of age or older, may voluntarily submit him/herself to treatment for drug dependency as defined in RSA 564-B:1, IX or any problem related to the use of drugs at any municipal health department, state institution or facility, public or private hospital or clinic, any licensed physician, or other accredited state or local social welfare agency, without the consent of a parent, guardian, or any other person charged with the care or custody of said minor. Such parent or legal guardian shall not be liable for the payment of any treatment rendered pursuant to this section.
A complete copy of district policy 4044 can be found on the school district website or at 4044 - Controlled Drug Act - Policies - Section 4000 - Milford School District (milfordk12.org)
HEAD LICE
Routine exclusion from school for children with head lice is NOT recommended. The parent or guardian shall be notified when head lice is identified. Students will be allowed to return to school after proper treatment. The school/nurse will provide information and assistance as needed or requested.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL ENTRANTS
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Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis DTaP, DT/DTP, Tdap/Td |
6 years and under: 4 or 5 doses with the last dose given on or after the 4th birthday 7 years and older: 3, 4, or 5 doses with the last dose given on or after the 4th birthday Grades 7-12: 1 dose of Tdap is required for entry into 7th grade |
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Polio |
Grades K-9: 3 or 4 doses with the last dose given on or after the 4th birthday and the last 2 doses separated by 6 months or more Grades 10-12: 3 doses, with the last dose given on or after the 4th birthday OR 4 doses regardless of age at administration |
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Hepatitis B |
Grades K-12: 3 doses at acceptable intervals. |
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Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) |
Grades K-12: 2 doses; the first dose must be administered on or after the 1st birthday |
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Varicella (Chicken Pox) |
Grades K-12: 2 doses with the first dose administered on or after the 1st birthday OR laboratory confirmation of immunity. History of natural immunity without lab confirmation is NOT acceptable. |
Children must have proof of all required immunizations, or valid exemptions, in order to be admitted or enrolled in any school. Documentation of immunity by confirming laboratory test results is acceptable for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis B.
A child may be conditionally enrolled when the parent or guardian provides:
- Documentation of a least one dose for each required vaccine, AND
- The appointment date for the next dose of required vaccine.
Immunization requirements can be found at: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/immunization/documents/schools21-22.pdf
Medical and religious exemptions have specific requirements. Information is available at: Exemptions for Children | Immunization | Division of Public Health Services | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (nh.gov)
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
All students entering Milford Public Schools for the first time must show proof of completion of a medical examination within the past year. If this examination has not been performed within the past year, the school will accept documentation of an appointment for a physical examination with a licensed Physician, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, or Physician’s Assistant. An appointment scheduled before entering and occurring within a time frame determined by the school district, will allow conditional enrollment.
A child may be excused from this regulation by the admitting official, or principal, for religious reasons. A signed form from the parent or guardian stating that the medical examination is contrary to his/her religious tenets and teachings must be submitted to the Principal or designee. These forms are available in the guidance department and nurse’s office. Evidence of completion of these requirements must be submitted to the school principal prior to school entrance.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
All students shall be examined by a healthcare provider prior to participation in interscholastic sports while enrolled in Milford High School. In case of significant illness or injury, school authorities may require more frequent examinations. Parental permission must be given prior to participation in each interscholastic sport. Athletes must have successfully passed one physical prior to participating on their first high school athletics team.
MEDICATION POLICY
Medication to be administered during school hours shall be regulated for the health and welfare of students. For clarification purposes, medication is defined within two categories - prescription and non-prescription. Prescription medications are those which are prescribed by a physician. Non-prescription medications are those available for public purchase without restrictions.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
Prescription medications should not be taken during school hours unless it is impractical to achieve medical regimen at home. Medications prescribed three times per day, for instance, can be given every eight hours and thus should not have to be given at school.
Prescription medications must be supplied by parents or guardians with a written order from a health care provider, contained in a properly labeled pharmacy bottle, and accompanied by a parent permission form. Regardless of the age of the student, all prescription medications will be brought to the school nurse for safe storage.
Prescription medications for asthma and severe allergic reactions (such as inhalers and Epi-Pens) may be kept in the student’s possession provided the health care provider’s prescription for the medications and the directive for self-administration, as well as the attached parent/guardian permission form, are on file in the health office.
Unless a student is 18 years or older, all prescription medications must be brought to school by a parent or guardian. Unused prescription medications must be brought home by a parent or guardian. Unclaimed prescription medications will be discarded at the conclusion of the school year.
NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
Non-prescription medications will not be made available to students from the nurse, Principal, or designee, unless permission is authorized in writing from a parent or guardian.
ALL MEDICATIONS
The School Nurse shall be responsible for administering and observing the taking of medications. The Principal or designee, in the absence of the School Nurse, is permitted to assist and observe the taking of medications.
The School Nurse shall ensure that all medications that are provided to the school nurse are safely stored.
The School Nurse shall ensure that all medication distribution shall be recorded daily in a manner that is consistent with statewide regulations and in a manner that ensures a secure and detailed student medical history. Known medications given for chronic conditions will be recorded annually on student’s health records.
A complete copy of district policy 4010 can be found on the school district website or at 4010 - Medication Policy - Policies - Section 4000 - Milford School District (milfordk12.org)
MEDICAL EXCUSE FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS
All written medical excuses are to be given to the school nurse by the student to whom the note applies. It is mandatory that the student with a gym excuse see both the school nurse and the physical education teacher concerning the exclusion.
SCREENING - HEARING
Screenings are conducted on an as needed basis and/or when requested by a student/parent or teacher.
SCREENING - VISION
Vision screenings are conducted on an as needed basis and/or if requested by a student/parent or teacher. It is recommended that a child who wears glasses or contact lenses should be screened only while wearing his/her corrective lenses.
It is recommended that vision screening be conducted immediately after a teacher referral on any pupil who is inattentive, appears to be straining to see, complains of watery eyes, rubs his/her eyes frequently, or has visual complaints.
School screening is not a substitute for a complete professional examination of the eye. All failures of vision screening will be reported to the parent/guardian. Teachers will be given a list of students who have vision problems. The teacher will take appropriate measures to compensate for the child’s vision problems.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
The Milford School District has arranged to have Student Accident insurance available to those who are interested to cover injury to school children. Student Accident Insurance package is available in the main office or on the District website.
| Page Contents |
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ACCIDENTS AND FIRST AID CARE POLICY
CHILD ABUSE REPORTING
CONTROLLED DRUG ACT
IMMUNIZATIONS FOR SCHOOL ENTRANTS
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
MEDICATION POLICY
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