Nurse’s Office
Welcome to the Nurse’s Office
NHCS employs nurses at both of our campuses. The nurses provide in-school care for scholars, implement required screenings, manage health records and forms for all scholars, and contact parents/guardians regarding health problems.
Please contact the school nurse and your child’s teacher if your child has any health concerns or will be absent from school. Sharing important health information helps us support your child and promote a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.
Important Announcements To Families
Coming soon…
- HIPAA Release Form: allows the school nurses to talk to the other health care providers for the student.
- Medication Authorization Form: allows the school nurse to administer prescribed medication (asthma inhaler, epi-pen, daily medications to be given at school).
- Self Medication Form: allows the student to administer the medication to themself at school, without the nurse being present. This is sometimes used for medications, such as the asthma inhaler, that cannot wait until the nurse returns from the other building.
- OTC Form: allows the school nurse to administer over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl)
- Pre-Participation Head Injury Reporting Form for Extracurricular Athletic Activities.
- Post-Head Injury Clearance Form for Return to Extracurricular Athletic Activities.
NHCS requires all newly enrolling scholars to submit a physical exam and immunization record from a qualified healthcare provider within 30 days of school entry. In addition, all returning scholars entering K2, 4th, 7th, and 10th grades must submit updated physical exams and immunization records. The physical exam must have been performed during the previous year by a duly licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. In accordance with state law, scholars in K1 through 12th grade are required to be immunized with DTaP/Tdap, polio, MMR, Hepatitis B, and Varicella vaccines. Immunization records must include the day, month, and year that the immunizations were given.
Requirements vary by grade level. For the most up-to-date requirements, visit the Massachusetts State Website at:
Mass Department of Public Health Immunization Requirements (Printable Version)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) requires all schools to perform mandated health screenings. The screenings include postural for grades 6th through 9th, vision & hearing for grades 4th, 5th, 7th & 10th, and Body Mass Index for grades 1st, 4th, 7th & 10th, and SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment) for grades 7th & 10th.
*All Parents and Guardians have the right to opt their child out of any of the following screenings by submitting a written request.
For more information about screenings, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/lists/school-health-screening
Postural– Grades 6 – 9 students- This screening will be conducted in the privacy of the nurses office. A current physical submitted with MD documentation of a scoliosis screen will satisfy this screening.
Body Mass Index (BMI)– Grades 1, 4, 7 & 10 students- This screening will be conducted in the privacy of the nurses office. A current physical submitted with documentation of height and weight will satisfy this screening.
Vision and Hearing– Grades K-5, 7 & 12 students- These screenings will be conducted in school by a combination of the School Nurse and a team from Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital.
SBIRT– 8th grade students- Screening, Brief Intervention, and referral to treatment is a public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment for adolescents at risk for developing substance use disorders. A parent information letter will be mailed one month before this screening is to occur for students. This screening will be conducted via an online survey during scholars homeroom. Any follow ups will be conducted in the privacy of the Nurse’s office.