What Foxborough School Health Services Wants Parents to Know

If you are a parent of guardian of a student in the Foxborough Public School system, then you have most likely received a letter from School Health Services with important information. This letter should have been either mailed or sent home with your child the first day of school. The letter highlights information that is crucial in maintaining a safe and healthy school experience for all Foxborough students. Here is a recap and checklist for anyone who may have missed, or misplaced it in the piles of forms, documents and school letters.

The following information and documentation is needed from you for your child: 

Emergency Information Form.

The emergency contact and health sheet should have been sent home with your child the first day of school, and it must be filled out immediately. This form includes information regarding allergies, medical needs and treatments, physician numbers, and emergency contacts. You are also able to list any health concerns here as well. This form will be filed in the nurse’s office and is absolutely critical for students who suffer from any medical conditions. If the nurse and school staff are unaware of your child’s medical needs, they will not receive proper care and treatment during school hours, so be sure to write down any conditions or concerns.

Medication/Treatment.

If somewhere on your Emergency Information Form, you wrote that your child needs medical treatment, it is your responsibility to speak with the nurse about schedules and authorization. The nurse must also be given the medication, along with a written health care provider's order. 

Physical Exams and Immunizations.

An updated physical exam and documentation of immunizations areneeded for any student entering preschool, Kindergarten, Grades 4, 8 and 11, as well as any child new to the Foxborough school system. For any child who competes in Foxborough school athletics, a physical form must be updated and filed each and every year. 

Illness.

As a reminder, School Health Services would like to inform all parents and guardians of when it is appropriate to keep your child home from school. If he or she has a fever, exhibits contagious symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, a sore throat, swollen glands, cough, or red, draining eyes, they should visit their physician and be kept home from school. It is your responsibility as a parent/guardian to use proper judgement in regards to your child’s health and illness. Also, if your child visits the nurse with any symptoms of illness, you or your emergency contacts will be notified immediately for dismissal. 

Vision/Hearing Screening.

Vision and hearing screenings will be done at your child’s school during the first half of the school year. If your child is to fail either test, you will be directed to seek out further evaluation for your child’s well-being. There will also be a retest 2-3 weeks after your child fails for the first time to ensure accuracy.  These screenings are done for the benefit of your child. 

Injuries.

For any child with minor cuts or bruises, teachers will be able to treat these. However, teachers are unable to treat illnesses or injuries. The child will be escorted to the nurse, and depending on the severity, you will be contacted. For the most part, it is necessary to trust the judgment of both the teacher and nurse present during these situations. 

It is also important to update any change of phone number, address, or medical conditions in order for both youand school staff to be prepared in the event of a medical emergency. School Health Services are looking out for the best interest of each and every child in the Foxborough School System. Although the forms and documentation are often tedious and overwhelming the first few weeks of the school year, your child's health and safety depend upon responsible, and informed adults with accurate and updated information.