Health Services

• If your child is unable to participate fully in school activities because of illness, fatigue or discomfort
• When your child has a contagious condition or a rash with an unknown cause
• When your child has had a fever of 100°F or more within the last 24 hours when not taking fever-reducing medications
• If your child has had vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours or is unable to eat normally
•  If your child has symptoms of viral illness (Symptoms may include but are not limited to: chest discomfort, chills, cough, decrease in appetite, diarrhea, fatigue/tiredness, fever or feeling feverish, headache, muscle or body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, vomiting, weakness, wheezing), they must remain home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without use of fever-reducing medication) and their symptoms have improved significantly.  Please consider taking additional precautions recommended by the CDC and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the 5 days after they return to school
• If your child has been diagnosed with strep throat and has not been taking antibiotic medication for at least 24 hours
• If your child requires medication for fever or ongoing pain relief
• If your child has red/pink eyes with drainage and has not been seen by a health care provider
• If your child has been diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis and has not received two doses of prescribed antibiotic medication
• If your child has chicken pox (varicella), they must stay home until all lesions have scabbed over
• If your child has active head lice they must be treated prior to returning to school

• Complete the Attendance Form providing details about the illness and/or injury under “Additional Comments.”
• The school nurse will contact you, if necessary, to discuss implications and a plan of care for when your child returns to school.
• Feel free to contact the school Health Office with any questions or concerns.

• Please request documentation from the health care provider that includes the diagnosis, treatment, follow up plan and when the student can return to school.
• Ask the provider to request specific accommodations or modifications that your child will need in school, including restrictions to physical activities (recess, PE/Bounders, sports, stair climbing).
• Plan to continue requesting such documentation each time your child is seen by a provider for follow-up after an injury. A note clearing the student to return to all activities without restrictions is required.
• Contact the school nurse to report the injury and participate in creating a plan of care before your child’s return to school.
• Any assistive/supportive orthopedic devices to be used at school (i.e. crutches, fracture boots, orthopedic braces) must be accompanied by a written provider’s order/instructions.

• The professional Registered Nurse (or delegated trained school personnel under the supervision of the school nurse) must administer all prescription and Over the Counter (OTC) medications in the school setting, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law.
• Please review the Carroll Medication Administration Protocol.
• Scheduled medications that need to be administered for 10 days or more require a written medication order from a licensed prescriber and an electronically-signed parent authorization form.
• Please log in to Magnus via the parent portal to update your child’s Magnus health record: upload the written provider’s medication order to the Prescription Medication Order Form area and electronically complete a Parent Medication Administration Authorization form. These documents will be reviewed by Carroll nursing staff and a medication administration plan will be developed before the medication can be given. The school nurse will contact you as needed to discuss the administration plan
• ALL medications (prescription and over the counter) must be delivered to the Health Office by a parent, guardian or responsible adult. Prescription medications must be in a pharmacy-labeled bottle and over-the-counter medications in manufacturer’s packaging. Students SHOULD NOT carry any medications other than emergency medications (epinephrine auto-injectors, inhalers) pre-authorized and arranged with the school nurse.
• Certain OTC medications can be administered by school nurses when necessary as ordered by our Consulting School Physician. Parents can provide authorization for these medications by completing an Over The Counter Medication Authorization form in the Magnus Health Portal during enrollment each summer.

If your child tests positive for flu, RSV, COVID-19:

• They must remain home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without use of fever-reducing medication) and their symptoms have improved significantly.  
•  Please consider taking additional precautions recommended by the CDC and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the 5 days after they return to school
• Please complete the Attendance Form and report the positive test in the "Additional Comments" area

School nursing is a specialized field within professional nursing that aims to promote the overall well-being, academic success, and lifelong achievements of students. School nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring the health and safety of students by actively intervening in both actual and potential health issues. They provide essential case management services and collaborate closely with others to empower students and families with the skills for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.

This practice of school nursing combines the expertise of two professional disciplines: nursing and education. It is well understood that children learn best when they feel safe, attentive, energetic, happy, and in good health. School nurses are key contributors to creating a conducive learning environment by identifying, preventing, and resolving health-related factors that may hinder students' ability to learn effectively.

To ensure comprehensive care, each Carroll campus is equipped with a registered nurse who is available during regular school hours. Moreover, Carroll's Nurse Manager and School Physician are readily accessible for consultation and support, enhancing the overall well-being and success of the students within the school community.

State law requires that the School have on file a report of a complete medical examination by a licensed healthcare provider, and a birth-to-present immunization record for each student. Carroll School will accept a physical examination performed no more than 13 months before the start of each school year. A copy of the physical examination form must be on file before the student can begin attending. Parents will provide medical forms (and any additional forms required for medical conditions - medication/treatment orders, emergency action plans, individualized health care plans, etc.) via the Magnus Health portal during enrollment each summer. Please log in to Magnus via the parent portal to make updates at any time.

In accordance with Massachusetts law, the School requires all students to provide proof of up-to-date immunizations or a certificate of exemption before attending school. Proof of immunization should be recorded on a Certificate of Immunization form and signed by a medical professional. A student with a qualified religious and/or medical exemption must provide the School with an Immunization Exemption Certification annually, pursuant to state law. A Medical Immunization Exemption Certification must be signed by a medical professional, attesting that the student is exempt from a specific vaccine(s) because of medical reasons. A Religious Immunization Exemption Certification must be signed by the student’s parent or guardian, attesting that immunization conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs. Students who do not provide proof of up-to-date immunizations or qualify for an exemption will not be permitted to attend the School or participate in any School activities.

If there is a risk of a vaccine-preventable disease impacting campus or the School community, the School may exclude non-immunized students, including those with valid religious or medical exemptions, from school and all School activities. Excluded students will not be permitted to return until (1) the danger of the outbreak has passed; (2) the student becomes ill with the disease and completely recovers; or (3) the student is immunized. In determining whether there is a risk of a vaccine-preventable disease, the School may consult with medical professionals, Local Boards of Health and/or epidemiologists from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Carroll School is an Allergy Aware entity. Our food safety guidelines are based on recommendations from the Massachusetts DPH and CDC. Food allergies can be life threatening and the Carroll School is committed to offering a safe, inclusive educational environment for all students including students with food allergies and intolerances. Cooperative efforts between students, parents, physicians, and school staff members can help minimize risks. When a child with a severe allergy or other food-related health condition enrolls, the school nurses will work with the parents and healthcare providers to determine the precautions and procedures necessary to support the child’s safety and well-being.

Carroll School has adopted the following school-wide protocols:

• All school staff will receive annual training on the management of life-threatening food allergies in the school setting, and appropriate personnel will receive epinephrine administration training per MDPH regulations.
• There will be no food trading or sharing among students.
• All students and adults will wash their hands after eating allergen-containing foods (nuts, dairy, gluten, etc.).
• An adult will wash tables and desks with commercial cleaning products after food consumption.
• Birthdays and classroom celebrations will not include sharing food. Any shared treats must be non-food items.
• Food and food containers/packages will not be used in lesson planning of any kind.
• Food/candy will not be used as incentive or reward.
• No eating on vans/buses.
• During infrequent all-school or all-grade special events when food may be served, parents of students with food-related health conditions will be notified by the health office and a plan will be made specific to each child.
• In common eating areas, allergen-free tables can be designated if necessary for children with allergies.

Process for food approval for Carroll School events:

• The event coordinator will submit a Google Form requesting review of the proposed event at least 14 days prior. The proposed menu must be provided to the Health office during the earliest stages of event planning.
• The menu must be approved by school nursing staff prior to final approval and scheduling of the event, and must include food all participating children can consume.
• Parents of children with food allergies, food intolerances, diabetes and all other food-related conditions will be notified of the proposed menu by school nursing staff. Accommodations for individual students will be implemented, including change in menu or disallowing of a requested food item.
• Food served must be in manufacturer’s packaging and individually labeled with ingredients and processing conditions.
• Homemade food items cannot be served.
• Substitutions or alternatives cannot be served without approval by school nursing staff.

Pre-approved Food Items:

• During enrollment each summer, Carroll parents/guardians will be asked to pre-approve some low-allergen foods that may be offered to their students on occasion without additional permission needed.
• The list of pre-approved foods will be provided to staff/faculty each year along with a list of students whose parents have declined permission for certain foods.
• The Approved Food list has links to the manufacturers’ websites for detailed information.
• Adults should ensure that ALL students in the group have approval for the chosen food before planning to serve a food item.
• Staff/faculty will submit a Special Event Google Form and consult school nurses for guidance during earliest stages of planning.
• It is imperative that the EXACT food that parents have approved is served. The brand, type and variety must match the approved list (no brand/manufacturer/flavor substitutions will be allowed).

UPDATED 9/2023