Students do not perform well when they are not feeling well. Keeping your child home when they are sick helps them recover more quickly and reduces the spread of illness at school.

Keep Your Child Home If They Have:

• A temperature of 100.4°F or higher (fever)
  • May return after being fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.)
• Vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
  • May return after being symptom-free for 24 hours
• Cough accompanied by fever
• Severe headache or abdominal pain
• Suspected infection of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, skin, or scalp
  • May return after 24 hours of treatment under a healthcare provider’s care, if applicable
  • If being treated for a contagious illness (such as strep throat, conjunctivitis, or impetigo), students must complete a full 24 hours of antibiotics and feel well enough to participate in school before returning.
• Rash of unknown origin or suspected communicable disease
• Mental health crisis
• Immunization delinquency without proper exemption documentation

Please Notify the School Nurse of:

• Any chronic or acute illness
• Any new medication or change in medication dosage
• Exposure to a communicable disease (such as strep throat, chickenpox, or conjunctivitis)
• A life-threatening or newly diagnosed allergy
• A diagnosed concussion
• A serious injury requiring hospitalization
• An injury requiring casting, sutures, splinting, or mobility assistance (crutches or wheelchair)
• Any vision or hearing concerns

Guidelines for Activity Restrictions (Due to Illness or Injury)

• A healthcare provider’s written note is required for any activity restriction.
• A provider’s written clearance is required before returning to full activity.
• Parent/guardian notes cannot be accepted in place of provider documentation.

Physical Exam: In accordance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations (105 CMR 200.100), a physical examination conducted within the previous 12 months is required for all students entering the school district for the first time, as well as for students in Kindergarten, Grade 4, Grade 7, and Grade 10. Students participating in athletics must submit a current physical examination each year

Immunization Requirements: To comply with Massachusetts state law (Massachusetts General Laws c. 76 § 15), all students must have up-to-date immunization records or a valid medical or religious exemption on file with the school nurse. Please click here for the latest Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements.

Immunization Exemptions:

• Medical Exemptions: A written statement from a licensed physician indicating that a specific vaccine is medically contraindicated for the student is required. Medical exemptions must be renewed annually at the start of each school year.
• Religious Exemptions: A written statement from a parent/guardian stating that immunization conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs is required. Religious exemptions must be renewed annually at the start of each school year. Please click here for the Triton religious exemption form.

Prescription Medication: If your child requires physician-ordered medication during the school day, please complete and return the forms below.

• Prescriber Medication Order Form
• Parent/Guardian Medication Authorization Form

Over-the-Counter Medications: Parents/guardians must provide written authorization each school year before over-the-counter medications can be administered. An annual update form will be given to you at the start of the school year to approve OTC medication for the school year.

Life Threatening Allergies:

• Life Threatening Allergy Medication Order and Care Plan
• Parent/Guardian Medication Authorization Form

Asthma:

• Massachusetts Asthma Action Plan
• Parent/Guardian Medication Authorization Form

Seizures:

• Seizure Action Parent Questionnaire
• Seizure Action Plan
• Parent/Guardian Medication Authorization Form

Type 1 Diabetes:

• Diabetes Medical Management Plan
• Parent/Guardian Medication Authorization Form

The following health screenings are conducted by the school nurse in accordance with state guidelines:

• Hearing Screenings: Annually for students in grades K–3, 7 & 9
• Vision Screenings: Annually for students in grades K–5, 7 & 9
• Scoliosis Screenings: Annually for students in grades 5-9

Parents/guardians will be notified only if a screening indicates a concern or if follow-up is recommended. If you do not receive a notification, you may assume your child’s screening results were within normal limits.

In addition, height and weight measurements are recorded for students in grades 1, 4, 7 & 10. These results are not routinely reported but are available upon written request from a parent/guardian.

If you have any questions regarding health screenings, please contact your school nurse or see Mass.gov - School Health Screenings

Required forms for parents and student athletes

Student athletes and their parents must fill out the Pre-participation Head Injury/Concussion Report Form for Extracurricular Activities form prior to the beginning of every sports season. This form should be submitted to the coach and school nurse and/or athletic director (depending on school policy) to ensure that it is safe for the student to participate in school sports.

Pre-Participation Head Injury/Concussion Reporting Form for Extracurricular Athletic Activities

Report of Head Injury During Sports Season Form

Post Sports-Related Head Injury Medical Clearance and Authorization Form

If you need additional information, please visit the MDPH Sports Concussion website