Chelmsford Public School Nurses’ Mission

Our mission is to provide evidence based/ best practice holistic nursing care to the unique, culturally diverse students of Chelmsford Public Schools. In collaboration with all stakeholders, we advocate for their safety and healthcare needs. We are dedicated professionals who are committed to bridging health care with education and making a positive impact for the present and future wellness of Chelmsford’s school community.

"A child must be healthy to learn and a child must learn to be healthy."

-Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Chelmsford Public School nurses are on duty during academic school day hours.

All newly enrolled students must submit a physical exam dated from one year prior entrance to public school or within 30 days of school entry.

Students in competitive school athletics must provide annual physical exams prior to sport participation.

Hearing:            Grades   K, 1, 2, 3, 7, 10

Scoliosis:          Grades   5, 6, 7, 8, 9   Upon request

Height/Weight:    Grades  1, 4, 7, 10

Vision with Stereopsis:   Grades  *  1, 2, 3       Vision acuity:  4, 5, 7, 10

*Kindergarten:  Upon entering kindergarten or within 30 days of the start of school, the parent/guardian shall present to school, Health Care Provider documentation within the previous 12 months that the child has passed a vision screening.

A parent may send a written request to exclude student from participating in school screenings.

SBIRT

Massachusetts school districts are required to include a substance use preventive screening as part of their annual mandated universal health-screening program. Our district will use the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol with students in grades 7 & 9. The SBIRT protocol facilitates a one-on-one conversation between each student and a school nurse or counselor in an effort to prevent or at least delay the start of using harmful substances, such as alcohol and marijuana. This program focuses on reinforcing healthy decisions and addressing concerning behaviors around substance use with the goal of improving health, safety and success in school. We will use the CRAFFT II screening interview, which is the most commonly used substance use screening tool for adolescents in Massachusetts. All screenings will be conducted in a confidential setting in private one-on-one sessions with a nurse or counselor trained in SBIRT screening.

Requirements for Entry to Public Schools
 
 “No child shall, except as hereinafter provided, be admitted to school except upon presentation of a physician’s certificate that the child has been successfully immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles and polio and such other communicable disease as may be specified from time to time by the Department of Public Health." M.G.L. c. 76, & 15;105 CMR 200.000 section 15

Immunizations must follow the recommended intervals from the CDC and the Mass. Department of Public Health.  All K-12 students must provide the following immunization documentation prior to admittance:

5 doses DTP/DTaP ( Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
4 doses Polio
3  doses Hepatitis B
2  doses MMR ( Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
2  doses Varicella (or a Health Provider's documentation of month and year of disease)
 
Students going into 7th grade -12th  need one dose Tdap booster.
Medical waivers and religious exemptions must be submitted in writing if applicable.