The health office is staffed by a registered nurse and a part-time assistant to provide for the medical and health needs of the students during regular school hours. The primary function of the health office is to provide assistance to students with serious or unexpected illness or injuries.  Please be certain to fully complete the Student Medical Information Sheet which is found on the back of the Student Information form. This medical information is confidential and kept in the health office. If there are any medical information changes to include medication and hospitalization, notify the health office immediately. Please update the school nurse if your emergency contact information changes.

If a student requests to visit the nurse, they must first report to class, obtain a pass from the teacher, and then proceed to the health office. Students should only leave class for acute illness or injury.

Massachusetts State Law requires that students shall not carry medication of any kind while in school except inhalers. Inhalers and Epipens may be carried at all times after a demonstration with the nurse. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are available in the health office with the annual signed parent/guardian permission form. When other medication is required, the procedure is as follows:

1. Both a physician’s order form and a parental permission form must be completed. These are available from the health office and on the District website.
   
   
2. A clearly labeled prescription bottle with the following information:
   
   
3. Name of student and date of prescription
   
   
4. Name of medication(s) and dosage
   
   
5. Name of prescribing physician
   
   
6. Times when medication is to be given

Students must bring a written note from a parent/guardian or physician to be excused from physical education.

Postural screening, height and weight will be done during the year. Hearing and vision screening will also be done during the year. Parents/Guardians may opt their child out of any screening.  Your child’s school nurse must be notified by email or by written note.

Any injury which occurs during school hours or during a school function must be reported immediately to the appropriate coach, teacher or supervisor, who will fill out an accident report that will be on record in the health office. When deemed appropriate, an injured student will be transported via ambulance. Parents/guardians will be notified using the information on the Student Information/Medical Information sheet. It is vital to have accurate numbers where someone is available at all times.

All students are covered by accident insurance paid for by the district while they are on their way to or from school, on school grounds, or participating in a school-sponsored event. If your child is injured at school and the injury is observed by a school staff member, the school staff member will then determine if treatment or further action is needed. If your child is injured at school and a school staff member does not observe the injury, your child needs to report the accident and injury to a member of the school staff who will then determine if treatment or further action is needed. If your child requires treatment by a doctor, reimbursement requests must first be submitted to the family insurance carrier. If your child has no coverage or the expenses are not completely covered, a bill then can be submitted to the school insurance carrier and the school must verify the accident by means of an accident report.

The Town of Falmouth provides two types of accident insurance. Each of the policies is described below. The 24-Hour Student Insurance is an optional policy that is available to any interested parent or guardian. While the Falmouth School Committee does not formally endorse this optional coverage, it is available to those who are interested in obtaining it and should be considered in light of other insurance coverage a family has.

• School Time Compulsory Accident Insurance: The Town of Falmouth provides School-Time Compulsory Accident Insurance to all students. Students are insured for accidents that occur during school time or at school-sponsored events, for example, field trips. This insurance policy provides excess coverage above and beyond the individual’s primary insurance.
  
  
• 24-Hour Student Insurance: This is an optional insurance policy available to all Falmouth students. This optional policy provides primary coverage with limits established by the policy. Individuals have the option of selecting medical coverage and/or extended dental coverage. Flyers are available to all students with a cover letter explaining this optional policy at all school buildings including the Superintendent’s Office. Any parent/guardian who wishes to take advantage of this optional insurance coverage may request an application form at any of our school buildings. Parents/Guardians are responsible for the cost of this insurance. No enrollment form for this accident insurance is included in your forms packet.

Each school has a registered nurse on staff to support student learning by implementing strategies that promote health and safety. The nurse is available to intervene with actual and/or potential health problems. School nursing services include:

• identification, assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of student health concerns;
  
  
• illness and injury assessments and interventions;
  
  
• immunization surveillance;
  
  
• state mandated health screenings of hearing, vision, height, and weight. Parents/guardians may opt their child out of any screening.  Your child’s school nurse must be notified by email or by written note;
  
  
• medication administration and monitoring;
  
  
• skilled nursing care and case management for students with special health care needs;
  
  
• health education and information for students, staff, and parents/guardians;
  
  
• assistance to families who have no health insurance; and
  
  
• mandated reporting of abuse and/or neglect, etc.

Any student who is not up-to-date with their immunizations by the third Friday in September may risk exclusion from school. Please contact the school nurse for information regarding local immunization clinics.

Parents/guardians should teach their children safe walking and waiting procedures. Young children are likely to be affected by delays, longer travel time, or personal worries.  Parents’/guardians’ judgment is always the bottom line in questionable situations and should help make decisions about school attendance during inclement weather. Schools will be willing to consider excused absences when parents/guardians decide to keep children home for safety reasons. Please do not call Fire and/or Police Headquarters for information on school closings.

Students may ride bicycles and/or skateboards to school, but the school cannot accept the responsibility for them. Bicycles should be parked and locked in the racks provided. Skateboards must be placed in lockers or at the main office. Sneakers with wheels (Heelies) are not permitted in school. It is required by law (MGL c.85, Sec.11B) that a helmet be worn at all times when using bicycles, skateboards, and inline skates (under 12 years of age).