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Welcome
At Saint Agatha School, we have a nurse on campus five days a week. Nurse Campbell is here Monday through Thursday, and Nurse Arrian O'Brien is in the office on Fridays.
Entrance Health Requirements for All New Students
All new students must have a current physical exam, including updated immunizations on file, before the first day of school.Health Requirements for Existing Students A physical exam dated after May 31st of the previous year, with updated immunizations must be on file for students in K2, Grade 4 and Grade 7.
Exclusion day: As mandated by state law, your child will be excluded from school on the last Thursday of September if they are in K2 or Grade 7 and do not have an updated physical with the required immunizations on file. He/she will not be able to return to school until the information is provided.The School Nurses complete the following health screenings annually. A referral letter will be sent home with your child if they do not pass a screening at school. Please follow up with the appropriate provider and return the form as soon as possible.
Vision: K2 - Grade 5 and Grade 7
Hearing: K2 - Grade 3, and Grade 6
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2025 - 2026 Health Forms Packet
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Kindly complete and return forms along with your child's medication
- Peanut/Tree Nut Free Table Form - Peanuts/Tree Nuts are allowed in the Cafeteria. All Classrooms are Peanut/Tree Nut free.
- Food Allergy Action Plan - this form should be completed by a parent/guardian and your child’s Physician.
- Authorization for Over The Counter / Prescription Medication - you may put more than one medication on this form.
- Emergency Health Care Plan
- Asthma Action Plan - to be signed by parent & Physician
Sincerely,
Pamela Cambell, RN
Pamela Campbell, RN
School Nurse
617-696-3548 x 204
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Respiratory Illness AlertNovember 13, 2024The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has observed a significant rise in cases of respiratory illnesses caused by Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Bordetella Pertussis across the Commonwealth in recent weeks. *M. pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children, and can cause community outbreaks. Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia often include persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, though symptoms are often mild and patients do not require hospitalization. *Pertussis illness begins with mild upper respiratory tract symptoms and can progress to severe cough fits, often with a characteristic respiratory “whoop” sound, which may be followed by vomiting. Although children can be exhausted after the coughing fits, they usually appear relatively well between episodes. The cough is often worse at night. Cyanosis and apnea may occur; fever is usually absent or minimal. *Both of these respiratory illnesses require antibiotic treatment. *Individuals should stay home and not attend school or work while symptomatic, and follow the doctor's recommendation for antibiotics prior to returning to school or work (generally before returning to school or work: pneumoniae requires 24 hours and pertussis requires 5 days of antibiotics). *Please be reminded to wash hands with soap and water, or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and to cover one's mouth with an elbow when coughing or sneezing. *Another way to help combat these illnesses is to stay up to date on vaccinations, including Tdap that protects from pertussis. Teens usually get a Tdap booster around age 11-12, adults should get a booster every 10 years.
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Student Illness Protocol
STUDENTS MUST REMAIN HOME IF THEY HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:- A contagious illness like strep throat (until they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours).
- A rash or skin condition not diagnosed by a doctor.
- A fever that causes chills, sweating or muscle aches.
- Temperature over 100.4 within the past 24 hours.
- Vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours.
- Red or pink eyes or drainage from eyes (until the day after treatment begins).
Please remember that the best way to prevent the spread of infection is good hand washing.With regards to respiratory illness:
We encourage you to review the updated DPH guidance for preventing the spread of respiratory illness located here.
St Agatha will continue to abide by MA DPH and DESE guidance. Stay home when you have symptoms of any respiratory illness such as Flu, COVID and RSV. Staying home when sick helps prevent the spread of germs. We ask that you let the health office know when your student is diagnosed with any contagious illness so that we can assure their safe return to campus.
Sickness at school:
If your child needs to see the school nurse, he or she much first secure permission from their subject teacher, or other supervising adult. The parent will be notified if it is deemed necessary to dismiss the student for the remainder of the school day due to injury or illness. Please make sure to pick your child up in a timely manner and make sure your contact information is up to date in the Ren Web System.
If your child is absent:
Please call 617-696-3548, ext 204, or email us at [email protected] if your child will be absent. Please leave your child’s name and homeroom, your name and contact number, and the reason your child will be absent from school. A note should be sent to the teacher on the day your child returns to school. For extended absences, a note from your child’s Physician is required.Healthy Links:
Healthy tips and general information for families: http://kidshealth.org
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Food Allergies
Students with Food Allergies
It is required that children with known severe allergies have their own Epi-pen kept in the nurse’s office. It may be determined by the school nurse, physician and parent that an additional Epi-pen will be kept in the classroom. All requirements for the use of medication in school apply. Please provide an allergy action plan from your child’s physician or complete the action plan listed below. Special attention should be given to expiration dates of Epi-pens and inhalers.
Peanut - Tree Nut Allergy Free Table
Peanut- Tree Nut Free Table: A “peanut/tree nut free table” is available in the cafeteria for children with a peanut or tree nut allergy. This is optional and per parental request. The children may have a friend sit with them at this table, provided their lunch is peanut/tree nut free.Peanut/Tree Nut Free Table Preference Form
Peanut - Tree Nut Allergy Free Classrooms
A classroom will be deemed peanut or tree nut free if there is a child in the classroom with a peanut or tree nut allergy. Notices will be sent home during the first week of school. If you child is in a peanut or tree nut free classroom, they must bring in a snack that does not contain peanuts or tree nuts.
Saint Agatha School is an allergy AWARE school. Nuts of any kind are not allowed in the classrooms, there is no exception to this rule. There is however a peanut/tree nut free table in the cafeteria.
Classrooms may include food as part of their celebration on Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and end of year party. Parents are encouraged to visit snacksafely.com for a list of safe snacks at school. Saint Agatha School has a no food for Birthday celebrations policy.
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Students with Asthma
Students with Asthma are required to have a Massachusetts Asthma Action Plan signed by both a parent and Pediatrician on file with the Saint Agatha School Nurse along with an inhaler. All requirements for the use of asthma medication in school apply. Please provide an asthma action plan from your child’s physician or complete the action plan listed below. Special attention should be given to expiration dates of inhalers.
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Medication Policies
- In order to comply with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 94C, the following are requirements for administration of medication to students at St Agatha School (during school hours). The school nurse is solely responsible for administration of medication in school. Faculty and volunteers may administer Epinephrine auto injectors in emergency situations, if properly trained. Please contact the school nurse if you would like training.
- All medications, prescription or over the counter medications, require both a physician’s order and completed parental/guardian permission form, or the medication cannot be given. (St Agatha has standing orders from the school physician for OTC medications only). Permission slips for OTC medications can be obtained by the school nurse.
- All medication orders expire at the end of the school year. Medications orders must be renewed at the beginning of each school year.
- Whenever possible, medication administration should be scheduled at times other than during school hours.
- All medications must be delivered to the Health office by student’s parent/guardian, or a designated adult. Students are not permitted to bring medications to school.
- All medications must be delivered in a correctly labeled pharmacy packaging. Medications are not accepted in containers such as a plastic bag.
- The pharmacy-labeled container can be used in lieu of physician’s order only in the case of short-term medications, i.e., those medications to be given for 10 school days or less. If the school nurse has a question about the medication she may request a licensed prescribers order. Written parent consent to administer is still required.
- Self-medication can be allowed under certain circumstances, after consultation with the school nurse. Unless authorized in writing by the school nurse, all medications to be self-administered must be kept in the nurse’s office.
- All medications must be picked up by a parent/guardian before the close of the school year. Any medications that are not picked up by the close of the school will be destroyed.
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Allergy Aware Celebrations
St. Agatha School has a no food policy for birthday celebrations. An increasingly larger number of students with allergies and food sensitivities have prompted many schools to change their policy on celebrations within the classroom. In addition, this policy has been created to support healthy nutrition practices suggested by the USDA.
Ideas for Food-Free Birthday celebrations:
-Select a favorite book to be donated to the class library
-Select a favorite game to be donated to the classroom for indoor recess
-Children may serve as the classroom”leader” for the day
-Invite a special visitor to class to read a favorite storyPlease check with your child’s teacher for Birthday Celebration Ideas!
Parents are encourage to review the Safe Snack Guide: commonly available snacks free of peanuts, tree nuts and egg.SAFE SNACK GUIDE
Classrooms may include food as part of their celebration on Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day and an end of the year party (classroom teachers will coordinate)
Saint Agatha School is an allergy AWARE school. Nuts of any kind are not allowed in the classrooms, there is no exception to this rule. There is however a peanut/tree nut free table in the cafeteria.
Classrooms may include food as part of their celebration on Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and end of year party. Parents are encouraged to visit snacksafely.com for a list of safe snacks at school. Saint Agatha School has a no food for Birthday celebrations policy.
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Grief Support Resources
Grief Support Resources for Saint Agatha Families during times of loss
We are here to help support your children during times of loss. It is very helpful to us if we know that there has been a loss in the family. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your child, or just to let us know that your family has suffered a loss. We have put together a collection of books that address loss-at every age. Our books are available for you to use at any time, even years after a loss. Grief is a journey; families often “re-grieve” for many years after a death or major loss.
Resources- Grief Weaver Library: Click here to download a list of additional suggestions.....
- Talking with Young Children About Death (A Message from Fred Rogers)
- Children’s Concept of Death by Age (Kansas City Hospice)
- Seven Ways to Guide Children Through Grief (Kansas City Hospice)
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