Policies and Procedures
Medication Policy
-According to WPS Policy 5503, the school nurse is the only person allowed to administer medication to students in Westford Public Schools.
-If medication is to be given at school, it must be in the pharmacy bottle with the prescription label attached.
-The parent/legal guardian must complete the Medication Administration Order form with a physician signature and parent signature, or send a note to the nurse which contains: the parent/legal guardian’s printed name, signature and emergency phone number; list the medications the student is currently receiving; approval to have the school nurse administer the medication and names of persons to be notified in case of a medical emergency.
-Medications are kept in the Nurse’s Clinic.
-A medication administration plan should be developed with the nurse, including plans for class trips.
-Parent/legal guardians should retrieve medications at the end of the school year.
Life-Threatening Allergies
If your child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy, please notify the school nurse. You will need to provide a copy of the Epipen Administration Orders and the Medication Administration Orders to the school nurse. It is recommended that you provide TWO EpiPens for your child based on the guidelines. One EpiPen will be kept in the nurses’ clinic and one will be with the student in the classroom. It is required that the student has all allergy paperwork completed and an EpiPen on hand to participate in school field trips. If your child’s physician deems your child to no longer have a life-threatening allergy, please bring documentation of this change from your child’s physician to the school nurse.
Mandated Screenings
School health services staff provides vision, hearing, height, and weight screenings for all students. Parent/legal guardians will be notified of screening results by letter only if the student has failed a screening exam or requires further care from their health care provider. Findings of these referrals for follow-up should be returned to school to update a student’s health record.
Emergency Cards
Emergency cards contain confidential and essential information for your child's health and safety while at school. Cards will be distributed the first week of school. Please update any necessary information including any change in phone numbers in the event we need to contact you regarding your child's health status. Emergency cards will need to be updated each school year, and returned to the nurse in a timely manner.
-According to WPS Policy 5503, the school nurse is the only person allowed to administer medication to students in Westford Public Schools.
-If medication is to be given at school, it must be in the pharmacy bottle with the prescription label attached.
-The parent/legal guardian must complete the Medication Administration Order form with a physician signature and parent signature, or send a note to the nurse which contains: the parent/legal guardian’s printed name, signature and emergency phone number; list the medications the student is currently receiving; approval to have the school nurse administer the medication and names of persons to be notified in case of a medical emergency.
-Medications are kept in the Nurse’s Clinic.
-A medication administration plan should be developed with the nurse, including plans for class trips.
-Parent/legal guardians should retrieve medications at the end of the school year.
Life-Threatening Allergies
If your child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy, please notify the school nurse. You will need to provide a copy of the Epipen Administration Orders and the Medication Administration Orders to the school nurse. It is recommended that you provide TWO EpiPens for your child based on the guidelines. One EpiPen will be kept in the nurses’ clinic and one will be with the student in the classroom. It is required that the student has all allergy paperwork completed and an EpiPen on hand to participate in school field trips. If your child’s physician deems your child to no longer have a life-threatening allergy, please bring documentation of this change from your child’s physician to the school nurse.
Mandated Screenings
School health services staff provides vision, hearing, height, and weight screenings for all students. Parent/legal guardians will be notified of screening results by letter only if the student has failed a screening exam or requires further care from their health care provider. Findings of these referrals for follow-up should be returned to school to update a student’s health record.
Emergency Cards
Emergency cards contain confidential and essential information for your child's health and safety while at school. Cards will be distributed the first week of school. Please update any necessary information including any change in phone numbers in the event we need to contact you regarding your child's health status. Emergency cards will need to be updated each school year, and returned to the nurse in a timely manner.