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Mission Statement

  • PRSD School Nurses are registered nurses certified by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as having the professional education and expertise to function in the complex system of education and health.
      
    School Nurses are integral members of a child's educational team enhancing the educational process by promoting good health for optimal learning. 
     
     
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    PRSD School Nurses uphold the National Association of School Nurses mission
     
    "To advance the practice of school nursing and provide leadership in the delivery of quality health programs in the school community."

Managing COVID at PRSD

  • Please read and be familiar with the updated guidance the state recently released.  You can find that here. 

    1. If exposed, no quarantine is required IF asymptomatic.  Exposed people are encouraged to mask for 10 days.  If you become symptomatic, you should remain at home and test.  If the test is negative and symptoms are mild, you may return to school.  You must be fever free 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.  

    2. If positive, a 5 day isolation is required.  Day 0 is the day of symptom onset or the day of a positive test, whichever is earlier. The student may return on day 6  if asymptomatic OR if symptoms are subsiding and the student is fever free for 24 hours.  However, they should wear a high quality mask through Day 10 if they do return. 

    3. If you are not known to have been exposed to COVID but are symptomatic and no test available or tests negative: The student may remain in school if symptoms are mild. Best practice is to wear a mask, and test again after 48 hours. 

    Students who are sick (beyond very mild symptoms) are encouraged to stay home regardless of testing results.

    Anyone entering the Health Office to see the nurse is still required to wear a mask per state regulation.  Please make sure your child has masks in their backpack for this purpose. 

    The Pentucket Nurses will not be doing COVID testing for students this year. 

     

COVID Symptom Checklist

    • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Muscle aches or body aches
    • Cough (not due to other known cause, such chronic cough)
    • Sore throat when in combination with other symptoms
    • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
    • Headache when in combination with other symptoms
    • Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
    • Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

Goals

  • Our goal is to bring you updated health information as it pertains to children attending the PRSD Public Schools. Each web page is designed to give you information for elementary, middle and high schools. You may download forms for medication, physicals and health histories.

    The immunization law is required to be followed by all school districts throughout the State of Massachusetts. By doing this we provide each child a healthy school environment.
     
    Our medication policy is set by the recommendations of the Department of Public Health. Please take a moment to read the policy located on each school's web page to understand what is required if your child needs medication during the school day (this policy covers prescription and over the counter medication).

When To Stay Home

  • A parent’s decision to keep a child home from school when they are sick can sometimes be a difficult one. However, if a child is truly ill, it is important for them to stay home from school and rest. By taking this step, parents can help their children get better faster as well as prevent the spread of illness to others.
     

    • A rash or skin condition that is undiagnosed. If your child develops a rash, they must be seen by their health care provider and deemed safe to return to school. A note from the provider must be given to the school nurse upon return.

    • A temperature of 100.0 F.  Your child may return to school once they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. If a child is sent home during the school day with a fever, they should stay home the following day.

    • Vomiting or diarrhea. Your child will need to see a pediatrician if vomiting or diarrhea persists in severity for more than 1-2 days. If a child is sent home during the school day for vomiting, they should stay home the following day.

    • Bacterial infections like strep throat and bacterial pneumonia need antibiotic treatment. Once your child has had at least one dose and is feeling well enough and fever free, they may return to school.

    • Persistent cough: with many respiratory illnesses, a cough can linger for up to three weeks or longer. If your child has no other symptoms but a persistent, non-productive cough, they may return to school after seeing their health care provider. Encourage frequent hand-washing and directing their cough into their elbow. Coughing into hands facilitates the spread of germs and should be discouraged.