• 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 tests positive for COVID-19, they must remain home through Day 5, then may return if fever-free for 24 hours (without use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms have improved; they should mask indoors Days 6-10
• 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 and be seen by the school nurse prior to returning to school

• Complete the Attendance Form
• Contact the Health Office to report the illness/injury to the school nurse
• The school nurse will contact you to discuss implications and a plan of care for when your child returns to school

• 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.

• 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 a parent authorization form.
• Both forms must be completed and uploaded to your child’s Magnus Health portal and approved by Carroll nursing staff before the medication can be given.
• 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.

• When a student tests positive to COVID-19: Students who test positive must isolate at home for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to school after Day 5 and should wear a high-quality mask through Day 10. To count days for isolation, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms OR the day the positive test was taken, whichever is earlier.
• When a student is exposed to COVID-19: Quarantine is no longer required nor recommended for students or staff, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. Anyone who is exposed to a person with COVID-19 may attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic and have not tested positive for COVID-19 themself. Per CDC and MDPH guidelines, exposed individuals should mask when indoors around others through Day 10, and it is recommended that they test on Day 3-5 of exposure. If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, below.
• When a student has symptoms at school: Individuals who develop symptoms at school will be assessed by our school nurses and will be sent home when necessary. They can return to school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. Best practice would also include wearing a mask until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test 48 hours after a negative initial test

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.

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 committed to promoting actions, behaviors and education that create a healthy and safe environment for all those with life threatening or serious conditions related to food consumption. Pursuant to Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations, the School will strive to provide and maintain a safe and secure environment for students with diagnoses of life threatening allergies, food intolerances, diabetes, celiac disease and all other food-related disorders. A comprehensive approach to compliance with the policy requires, but is not limited to, a focused effort by administration, parents/guardians, students (when developmentally appropriate), school nurses, school faculty and staff, coaches and bus/van transportation personnel. Beyond acknowledging allergy and food handling risks, Carroll seeks to create an environment where all students feel safe and included in their community regardless of their dietary requirements or preferences.

If there is a child in a classroom who has a life threatening allergy which warrants an allergen- restricted environment, we will declare that classroom to be [specific]-allergen free and parents will hear from their classroom teacher directly about the protocol for the specific classroom. We realize that accomplishing this goal of having an allergen-safe class will require an uncompromising commitment to educate ourselves and the community as to which foods contain allergens, and to seek out appropriate foods for snacks and treats that may be consumed in the classroom.

In the past, parents have requested lists of allergen-free products. Such lists are inherently unreliable as food production changes frequently and what is at one time considered safe could easily change. Again, as an allergen-aware community, we make a commitment to continue to educate ourselves and to be vigilant about consistently examining food labels for ingredients and processing conditions. School nursing staff will work with parents of children with food allergies and intolerances to best ensure the safety of all Carroll students.

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
• Shared food cannot be prepared at school
• All students will wash their hands after eating allergen-containing food
• All tables and desks will be wiped down by an adult after food consumption
• Birthdays and special celebrations will not include sharing food; any shared treats must be non-food items
• Food will not be used in lesson planning unless pre-approved
• Food-based fundraising will be discouraged
• Food will not be used as a reward
• No eating on vans/buses
• During infrequent all school or all-grade special events when food may be available, parents of students with food-related health conditions will be notified by the health office or event coordinator and a plan will be made specific to the situation (see below for details)
• Some classrooms may be deemed allergen free, and in that case parents will be asked to refrain from sending food items for their child’s snack/lunch that contain the specified allergens
• In common eating areas, allergen-free tables will be available if necessary for children with allergies

Process for food approval for Carroll School events:

• The proposed menu will be provided to the Health office during the earliest stages of event planning. This must occur at least two weeks prior to the event.
• 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 the event coordinator or school nursing staff. Accommodations for individual students will be implemented, including change in menu or disallowing of a requested food item as indicated.
• 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.

LATEST UPDATE: June 1, 2023

Carroll School will continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines based on recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, CDC and medical experts. These protocols were reviewed and updated on June 1, 2023.

• Testing: A rapid antigen test, such as a self-test, is preferred to a PCR test in most situations. Carroll School will not be conducting on-site testing for COVID-19 or providing test kits for at-home testing. We recommend rapid antigen testing at home any time students are (1) symptomatic, please see below for specific guidance, (2) after exposure to someone with COVID-19, and (3) after school vacations.
• Isolation: To count days for isolation, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms OR the day the positive test was taken, whichever is earlier.
• Masks are required in school health offices when directed by school nurses and during certain large group gatherings at the School’s discretion. Any individual who wishes to continue to mask at school, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, will be supported in that choice. For those who need or choose to mask, masking is never required while the individual is eating, drinking or outside. *All children should have an emergency mask in their backpack for instances where masks are required (health office, large indoor gatherings, etc.).
• Vaccination: All students and employees are encouraged to stay up-to-date with CDC-recommended COVID-19 vaccination.
• Contact tracing is no longer recommended or required in K-12 schools, but we will continue to work with our local Boards of Health in the case of outbreaks.

Exposure Guidance and Protocols

• Exposure Guidance: Quarantine is no longer required nor recommended for students or staff, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. Anyone who is exposed to a person with COVID-19 may attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic and have not tested positive for COVID-19 themself. Per CDC and MDPH guidelines, exposed individuals should mask when indoors around others through Day10, and it is recommended that they test on Day 3-5 of exposure. If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, below.
• Positive Test Guidance: Students and staff who test positive must isolate at home for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to school after Day 5 and should wear a high-quality mask through Day 10.
• Symptoms at School: Individuals who develop symptoms at school will be assessed by our school nurses and will be sent home when necessary. They can return to school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. Best practice would also include wearing a mask until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test 48 hours after a negative initial test.

Symptoms

All students and staff should continue to perform a symptom check each day prior to coming to school. Symptoms of COVID-19, influenza, strep throat, gastrointestinal illness and other viral illnesses can be similar. Individuals should remain home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms, and should consult with their PCP for guidance. A negative COVID rapid antigen test does not automatically indicate that a person can/should attend school. Students and staff should remain home until they are afebrile and their symptoms have significantly improved/resolved and they are feeling well enough to manage a busy school day.

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
• Sore throat
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Headache, when in combination with other symptoms
• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies), when in combination with other symptoms
• Unexplained rash

Health Requirements for Sports