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 be sure to contact the nurse and your child’s teacher if your child has any unusual health concerns or if your child is absent from school due to a contagious disease as precautions may need to be taken to protect the other children.

Medical Forms

Mass Department of Public Health Immunization Requirements

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, 3rd, 7th, and 9th 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) 

School Health Screenings

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 & 10 students- These screenings will be conducted together in the privacy of the nurses’ office. 

SBIRT– Grades 7 & 10 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 in the privacy of the nurses’ office along with the vision and hearing screen.

SBIRT in Massachusetts Schools

SBIRT in Schools Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Queen Street Campus | Grades K1-7
21 Queen Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
Office: 1-617-825-0703 ext 3271
Fax: 1-617-825-1829

 

Vivian Rutherford, RN

 

 

 

Centre Street Campus | Grades 8-12
197 Centre Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
Office: 617-825-0703 ex: 3510

 

Jessie Hedderman, RN
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