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Welcome to the North Andover High School Health Office
"Schools have a wealth of potential for ensuring the future well-being of young people. You can't educate a child who isn't healthy, and you can't keep a child healthy who isn't educated."
-- M. Jocelyn Elders, MD
Please visit the Nursing Services website for district wide school health information and updates.
Reasons for Dismissal / Exclusion
1. Temperature over 100 degrees (oral temperature)
2. Cough with fever
3. Suspected infection of eye, ears, nose, throat, skin scalp (unless under physician’s care for 24 hours)
4. Severe headache or abdominal pain
5. Suspected communicable disease and/or rash of unknown origin
6. Suspected fracture or any severe or disabling injury
7. Questionable need for sutures
8. Vomiting or diarrhea
9. Severe head injury
10. Suspected pediculosis (head lice)
Please keep the health office apprised of any serious injuries or illnesses along with any contagious illnesses such as Strep Throat.
Each year the student’s health records are audited to make sure that physical examinations and immunizations meet the requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. If your child is found to be missing appropriate documentation of a required immunization or physical examination, you will be notified and asked to contact your child’s primary care physician in order to update or clarify their history. It is very important to respond in a timely manner, in order to insure that your child’s school health record is considered to be in complete compliance with state requirements.
Students are not permitted to carry their own medications except for the following:
1. Students with diabetes are permitted to keep all their diabetic supplies with them.
2. Students with asthma are permitted to carry their inhalers with them.
3. Students with severe allergies are permitted to carry their epi pens with them.
4. Students with Cystic Fibrosis are permitted to carry their enzymes with them.
Medication Policy Letter
Consent for Medication Administration
Allergy Action Plan (insects, latex, etc)
Food Allergy Action Plan
Allergy Action Plan/Epi-Pen Waiver
Information about Latex Allergies
Epi-Pen User Guide
Massachusetts Mandated Screening Program
Vision and Hearing Screening
Vision and hearing screening is done yearly in grades K through 5, and in grades 7 and 10. Parents will be notified of any problems that necessitate a medical follow-up. Vision and hearing screening is completed in conjunction with BMI screening at NAHS during grade 10 English classes.
Body Mass Index Program
In accordance with the Mass Dept of Public Health (MDPH), schools are required to perform height, weight and body mass index (BMI) screenings for students in grade 1,4,7 & 10 and send home the results to parents and guardians. The purpose of the screening program is to give parents additional information about their child’s weight status and ideas for living a healthy life.
BMI is a measurement that is used to show a person’s “weight for height for age.” It is calculated using a formula that includes an individual’s height and weight. Just like a blood pressure reading or an eye screening test, a BMI can be a useful tool in identifying possible health risks.
BMI does not tell the whole story about a child’s health status. BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle. For example, if a child is very athletic and has a lot of muscle, his or her BMI may be high even though he or she is not overweight. That is why parents are encouraged to share the results with their child’s health care provider and have them explain the results of their child’s BMI screening. They are in the best position to evaluate a child’s overall health.
If you prefer not to have your child participate in the BMI Screening Program, please send a written note to the Health Office. Please visit the MDPH website at www.mass.gov for Frequently Asked Questions about BMI and Mass in Motion.
Parents/guardians can view the results of their student's BMI screening on the Parent Portal of Powerschool. For more information:
Letter to parents/guardians regarding BMI screening
Tips to help your kids eat healthy at home
Parents and guardians may waive BMI screening by submitting a written request to the school nurse.
Postural Screening
The state of Massachusetts mandates that all students in grades 5 through 9 be screened for scoliosis. Your child's posture will be screened in the 9th grade at NAHS. This screening takes place during 9th grade Fundamentals of Fitness classes over the course of the school year. Each 9th grade student will be screened during the trimester in which they have Fundamentals of Fitness class. Parents will be notified of any screening results that necessitate a physician referral.
If you do not want your child to participate in the postural screening program please send a doctor's note showing that he/she was screened for scoliosis by the doctor prior to the screening day. The note should go to the nurse.
Iformation for Parents Regarding Drug and Alcohol AbuInformation for Parents Regarding Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Some excellent resources from SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) are provided below.
Smart Moves/Smart Choices
Stop Medicine Abuse
Please don't hesitate to call with any questions or concerns.
Lauren McDonald, RN
phone 978-794-1508
fax 978-688-2732
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