Northbridge Middle School provides a full range of health care services for students. Our health office is located on the 2^nd floor near the main office. It is fully staffed during the school day.

Dismissal The nurse may find it necessary to contact a parent/guardian for dismissal of a student. In these cases, the parent/guardian must arrange transportation. The school nurse should be notified of any changes in address, telephone numbers, or contact persons. Students are not allowed to call parents for dismissal due to illness without seeing the nurse.

School nurses are allowed to administer Tylenol, ibuprofen, Tums, and Benadryl to students. Parents will be asked to sign written permission for these medications. These medications are given at the nurse’s discretion. Except in the case of a temporary situation, e.g. fracture or injury, parents will be notified of students who consistently use over-the-counter medications more than 5 times a month.

Medications Prescription and all other over-the-counter medications not listed above will require a written prescription from the student’s physician. A NEW PRESCRIPTION MUST BE OBTAINED EACH SCHOOL YEAR. Forms may be obtained in the Nurse's office or on-line. All medication must be brought to school by a parent or guardian. The nurse will NOT accept medication from a student.

Diabetic students, students with asthma and students who require an EpiPen will be allowed to carry inhalers/Epipens/insulin with them during the school day. Written permission from the physician and parent is required for this.

Students are not allowed to carry any medication with them during the day, including over-the-counter medication. All medications have potentially serious side effects. Students found with any medication will be referred to the Assistant Principal for disciplinary action. If a student needs to take any medication in school, please call the nurse to make arrangements.

Health Screening Mandatory health screenings are done according to state guidelines. Postural Screenings will be done for all students in Grades 5 – 8. Vision Screenings will be done for Grade 5; Hearing and height and weights are done for students in Grade 7. Parents of 7^th grade students will be notified of their child’s Body Mass Index (an indicator for healthy body weight). Parents will be notified of any problems identified during screenings. State law requires a physical in 7^th grade, as well as within 13 months of tryouts for interscholastic sports. Transferring students must have had a physical within 13 months of entry to school, or one month after entry

Immunizations State law requires that all students be immunized against tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and polio, and varicella. Students whose immunizations do not conform to State law will be excluded from school until they can provide evidence of proper immunizations. Students must provide documentation to the nurse of proper immunizations before entering the 7^th grade.

Substance Use/Abuse The school nurse may be asked to assess a student for signs of substance use in the school. She will share her findings with Administration.

Resources In the event a student is in need of health care (medical, dental, or eye care) and is unable to obtain the necessary care due to financial difficulties, please contact the nurse . We have resources available that may be helpful.