MEDICAL INFORMATION

Certification

Each student shall be expected to attend all classes in school and is entitled to participate in all school-sponsored activities so long as he/she is capable of performing his/her functions as a student. The school shall be entitled to require from the student a physician’s statement should there be sufficient reason to question a student’s attendance at or absence from school due to the student’s health.

Immunizations

Written verification from a health care provider is required by Vermont law for immunizations.  All students must have written verification of having received two (2) doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) before entering Hartford High School. See Appendix III for complete immunization requirements.

Tetanus immunizations are required every ten (10) years.

If your child receives a new immunization from your health provider, please send written documentation stating dates and type of immunization received. If verification has not been received you will be contacted.

Medical Concerns

It is important that you notify the school nurse during the school year of any changes in your child’s health status.

If your child has a chronic health problem or a health condition that may create a need for emergency or supportive care during the school day, please advise the school nurse as the situation arises.

The school nurse will provide release of information forms to be signed by parent/guardians in an effort to collaborate with health care providers in assisting the school to provide a successful educational experience.

Please encourage your health care providers to provide pertinent information regarding medical/support needs during the school day.

Parent/guardian-school communication of medical/supportive needs is vital to the success and safety of the students.

Medications

Hartford High School will implement the following regulations regarding the dispensing of medications for students:

1. Long Term Prescription Medication Regulations

a. The school must be given written instructions from a physician before it administers any medication. These should include: name of student, name of drug, dosage, reason for giving and times to be given.

b. The school must have written permission from parent(s)/guardian(s) requesting that we give medication.

c. Medication must be brought to school in a container which is appropriately labeled by a physician/pharmacist. The pharmacy will label a container for school when prescription is filled if parent(s)/guardian(s) requests it.

d. A locked cabinet will be provided for the storage of medication at school.

e. The school nurse or his/her designee will give the medication.

2. Forms are available in the office for your doctor to fill out and return to the nurse with the medication. If you forget to bring this form to the doctor’s office, ask the doctor to write out instructions for the school nurse (if the medication must be given during the school day).

3. Acute Illness Prescription Medication Regulations

a. Regulation “a” above may be omitted for medication used in treatment of acute illnesses (i.e., penicillin for strep throat infection).

b. Regulations “b - e” will be followed.

4. Non-Prescription Medications/Over-the-Counter

There will be no over the counter pain relievers in the nurse’s office. As developing and responsible young adults, students will be encouraged to plan needs on a daily basis and come to school prepared with their own over the counter medication.

Temporary Medical Disability

For the purpose of this policy, temporary medical disability shall mean any condition verified by a physician, including pregnancy, which necessitates a student’s absence from school for an extended period of time.

Should absence due to temporary medical disability include a period of three (3) or more consecutive school days, the school may henceforth request certification from the student’s physician as to his/her ability to return to school.

During a student’s absence due to temporary medical disability, it will be the responsibility of the school to make available to the student alternate classroom work for a period of up to thirty (30) school days, including both consecutive and nonconsecutive absences. Should the student miss more than thirty days of school, then a reassessment of the student’s situation will be done in order to determine a program of study or a plan of action that is most appropriate to the specific circumstances involved. If a student is absent from school without certification from his/her physician as to his/her ability to be in school, then the student may be considered truant and treated accordingly.