Health Office
The health office is staffed by a full time RN and a part time health aide. The nurse is available to administer medical assistance and first aid and dispense medication as directed by the physician and parent to students during the school day. She will develop individual health plans for students with chronic health conditions or handicaps. We maintain health records and make sure all state required physicals and immunizations are up to date. We will perform state mandated health screenings for vision, hearing, and scoliosis. Please notify the nurse of any health updates throughout the year. If there is any medical information you would like the nurse to be aware of, please feel free to contact us.
Tina Bennett, RN; Rebecca Honan, HA
Phone: Middle School: 860-399-2010 High School: 860-399-6214 (Ask for health office) Fax: 860-399-2006
Student Illness Guidelines
Student will be dismissed from school automatically for vomiting, diarrhea, suspected or confirmed conjunctivitis, nits (discretion of nurse)/live louse and temperature of 100.0 F and above. The nurse may also dismiss students at her discretion on a student by student basis. If dismissed with diarrhea, vomiting, or fever over 100.0 F, the student may not return to school until symptoms have ceased for 24 hours. If your child is suspected of having pink eye, a doctor note is required to return to school. If your child is diagnosed with pink eye they may not return to school until they have completed a full 24 hours of antibiotic. If live louse (lice) is discovered, the student may return to school only after hair treatment is complete and every viable nit is removed and the student must see the nurse upon arrival at school.
A student should remain at home from school with the following symptoms of communicable illness or disease:
- A temperature of 100 degrees or greater. Students should be fever-free without use of fever-reducing medication for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea. Students should remain at home until vomiting and/or diarrhea have subsided for at least 24 hours and they are able to tolerate fluids.
- Sore throat that is accompanied by fatigue, body aches, and fever.
- A persistent /disruptive cough lasting for more than a few days or with a fever.
- Live pediculosis (head lice) found in the hair.
- Eye discomfort with itching, redness, pain, and discharge.
- Skin rash suggestive of a communicable disease.
Tips for parents:
- Consider getting a flu shot for your child as well as for other family members.
- Many parents work outside the home, making it difficult to take time off from work to care for their sick child. Consider possible back-up plans and alternate caregivers ahead of time in case your child needs to remain home from school.
- Always contact your child’s physician with any questions or concerns.
- The school nurse and support teams at each school are available as resources for parents and students.
- Encourage healthy life-style habits such as good nutrition, hydration, exercise, and sleep to help to keep the body in optimal condition.
Health Office Information
- Physicals: A comprehensive physical is required by the Board of Education and State of Connecticut for all 6th and 10th The physical should include vision, hearing, and postural screening. Without this physical, your child will not be able to move on to the next grade. Don’t forget to submit the “Blue Form” with recent immunizations to the health office.
- Immunizations: All students entering Westbrook Public Schools per the State of Connecticut must show proof of having received immunizations for DPT (tetanus), MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Polio, Hepatitis B, and Varicella (or documentation of disease). In addition, all 7th grade students must show proof of having received a Tdap vaccine and a meningococcal vaccine. The only exceptions are for medical or religious reasons and documentation must be received in the health office.
- Sports: If your child is playing sport a comprehensive physical is required. Sports physicals are good for thirteen months and are required to prior to trying out. Physicals must remain current throughout the season. Please be sure the health office has an updated copy on file.
- Health Screenings: Routine health screenings will be conducted by the nurse during the school year. Vision and Hearing: 5th Postural/Scoliosis: 5th and 7th for females and 8th for males. Note: the 6th and 10th grades should receive their screenings at their required comprehensive physicals.
- If your child requires accommodations at school, please send in a note with instructions from the health care provider/physician. It is the parent/guardian responsibility to forward any Treatment Plans (i.e. Allergy Plan, Asthma Plan, Diabetic Plan, etc.) with physician orders to the nurse. Please do not send medication to school with your child as this is against school policy. The nurse can administer over the counter and prescription medication only with an order from the physician and permission from the parent/guardian.
- If you wish for your child to be able to receive Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Zyrtec during school, please sign the Authorization to Administer Non-aspirin Medication Form. Only parent/guardian signature is required for these medications to be administered. No medication can be given without permission. This needs to be updated annually. Forms can be found on the website.