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SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
Mission Statement
School Health Services will promote health and wellness in order that students and staff may work in an environment conducive to learning.
The school health team for the elementary schools consists of school nurses Bonnie McAlpine, R.N., Noreene Davis, R.N., and Diane Meagher, R.N. The secretary for the School Health Services department, Mindy Hill, can be reached at 352-2550. Our school physician is Geraldine Rubin, M.D.
The primary responsibility for your child’s health and well-being is the parents’. Your school nurse is available to assist parents with questions and concerns that relate to your child’s physical and emotional health. Parents are encouraged to call the nurse (352-1712) for information and health guidance.
The school nurse is an integral member of your school team. The school nurse works closely with teachers and others to ensure that your child’s educational goals are being met. The school health team believes that healthy children learn better. The school nurse is involved in the assessment process to help identify children with special learning needs. She initiates referrals when indicated and provides the necessary link between educators and the medical community.
IMMUNIZATIONS
A cumulative health record is maintained on each child K-12. This includes a required preschool physical exam by the family physician and the following required immunizations (RSA 200:38). New Hampshire state law requires that all students must have documentation for their immunizations. Minimum acceptable immunization consist of:
- For children under 7, 4 doses DPT, DTaP or DT as long as the last dose is on or after the 4th birthday
- For children over 7, 3 doses DTP, DTaP, DT, or Td as long as the third dose is on or after the 4th birthday
- 3 doses of Polio vaccine (all eIPV or all OPV) as long as the last dose is after the 4th birthday or
- 4 doses of Polio vaccine of any combination of eIPV or OPV regardless of age of
- administration
- 1 dose of MMR given on or after the 1st birthday. In addition, 1 dose of Measles-containing vaccine on entry to Kindergarten
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B for children born on or after January 1, 1993
- 1 dose Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine on entry to kindergarten. Documentation of Chicken Pox disease is an acceptable alternative to vaccine.
- In addition to the above, preschoolers are required to have 4 doses of Hib vaccine except that children 15 - 59 months may have one dose on or after 15 months of age
- Any other recommendations from the NH Division of Public Health Services, Immunization Program.
Students who have not been fully immunized will not be in compliance with the law and will be placed on a “Conditional Enrollment”, provided there is documentation of at least one dose of each required vaccine. The parent or guardian will be asked to provide an appointment date for the next due dose of vaccine from a health care provider. This appointment date shall serve as the suspension date if the child fails to keep the scheduled appointment. This process shall continue until acceptable immunization status is attained.
The school health record also contains a health history, annual height and weight. GRADES 1,3 and 5 include vision and hearing testing, and GRADE 5 includes scoliosis screening. All transfer students must provide documentation of required immunization and/or a copy of the cumulative health records. A physician’s report of physical examination is also required for all transfer students. Those students not in compliance will not be allowed to enter school.
PRESCRIBED MEDICATION
Prescription and non-prescription medication to be taken during school time must be delivered to school by the parent in the original container. Written permission from the parent/guardian must be sent to the nurse for any student who will be taking medication during the school day. Prescription medications require authorization from the physician.
HEAD LICE
Head lice is an intermittent problem at the elementary level. We need the help of parents to prevent an epidemic of head lice.
- Check your children weekly to see if there are signs of head lice or nits. (Look especially behind the ears and top of the head. Nits resemble dandruff but do not brush off.) If you find them, either seek medical attention or the assistance of a pharmacist. Also, please notify the School Nurse.
- Carefully follow the written directions which accompany the recommended treatment.
- It is important to use a fine tooth comb to remove all nits as they stick to the hair and do not wash out. All nits must be removed in order to prevent reinfestation. This also insures that any nits appearing after the initial treatment can be detected by inspection, thus gauging the success of the control measures.
- The School Nurse will make periodic checks of students to control head lice.
When in doubt about your child’s health on any given day, please keep him/her home. Your child may be coming down with something that can be transmitted to other children. Any child with signs of illness (fever, rash, vomiting, etc.) should be kept home.
Children need fresh air and exercise. We expect that children will go out for recess breaks. If, for health reasons, a parent wants a child to stay in for one day, that parent must send a signed note with the child, stating the reason for the request. Any long term request will require a note from a physician. During inclement weather, the principal or the teacher on duty will make a decision whether the children should be kept in or out. (A good rule to follow would be to always dress children for outdoor recess.)
STUDENTS MUST REMAIN EXCLUDED FROM SCHOOL WITH:
CHICKEN POX - For 1 week after the first skin lesions appear.
CONJUNCTIVITIS - Eyes draining yellow discharge.
STREP-INFECTIONS - For 24 hours after treatment has started.
HEAD LICE - Until head is thoroughly cleansed with head lice treatment and all nits are removed. Child will not be allowed back on the same day as treatment as it may take a few hours for lice to die.
Students will remain at home with all other communicable diseases per NH state law. The school nurse will determine when it is safe for the child to return to school.
EMERGENCIES
In case of an emergency we always call the parents first. If parents cannot be reached we will call your emergency contact person. Please write an emergency name and telephone number on your child’s enrollment card. Use the enrollment card to inform us of any allergies, vision or hearing problems or any other health conditions. If you are going away, please advise the school what to do in case your child becomes ill or injured.
PLEASE NOTE:
CHILDREN WHO ARE ABSENT FROM SCHOOL MAY NOT ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND/OR EVENING EVENTS WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE PRINCIPAL.
School Counseling Program
The Benjamin Franklin School Counseling Program offers students many opportunities to excel socially and academically. The program is available for all children to help them develop to their maximum potential in both the social and academic arenas. We strive to meet the needs of the whole child.
Friendship Groups are available to all students to help them foster friendships and develop positive peer relations with their classmates. Friendship Groups typically meet once per week and provide students with an opportunity to meet with fellow classmates on a more personal level. As part of the typical school day, your child may be invited to participate in a Friendship Group. If you do not want your child to participate in a group please send your request in writing to our school counselor.
Classroom Instruction occurs weekly in all classrooms grades kindergarten through five. The lessons address a variety of topics that include: Conflict Resolution & Problem Solving, Career Awareness, and Cooperation & Friendship Skills. Students are also given many opportunities for self-discovery. They are encouraged to express their feelings and to learn methods to express them. In addition, several character values are addressed as part of our weekly classroom lessons.
Individual Counseling is available to all students at the request of a parent. Children receive one-to-one counseling when parents, teacher and the counselor feel that it is appropriate. Children can also refer themselves. Children could see the counselor for a variety of reasons such as for problems with peers, problems at home or difficulty being successful learners.
Consultation is also available for teachers and for parents whenever it is deemed necessary. Teachers and parents can consult the school counselor when they have concerns about their child’s emotional and academic development. Parents may contact the counselor about the school progress, behavior management, social adjustment, health concerns, family problems, and for assistance in arranging referrals with outside agencies.
Coordination of the Standardized Testing Program is also part our school counselor’s role at the Franklin School. This includes the state and district testing programs.
Transition and Placement is another facet of the school counselor’s role. The school counselor helps with the transition of preschoolers into kindergarten and the fifth graders into Keene Middle School. Also, the school counselor helps with the placement decisions.
In addition, our school counselor coordinates the school-wide Peer Mediation Program.
Parents are invited to contact the school counselor if they have any concerns they would like to share about their child. Please contact our school counselor if you have any concerns or good news about your child that you would like us to know. The school counselor will set up an appointment to discuss the concerns and work with you to find ways to solve them.
Mrs. Ann MacDonald is our full time school counselor at Benjamin Franklin School. Her office is located in the basement of the school. Please call her at 352-1712 if you would like to schedule an appointment. |
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