Health Office
The health office is staffed by a full time RN and a part time health aide. The nurse is available to administer medical assistance and first aid and dispense medication as directed by the physician and parent to students during the regular school day. She will develop individual health plans for students with chronic health conditions or handicaps. We maintain health records and make sure all state required physicals and immunizations are up to date. We will perform state mandated health screenings for vision, hearing, and scoliosis. Please notify the nurse of any health updates throughout the year. If there is any medical information you would like the nurse to be aware of, please feel free to contact her.
Tina Bennett, RN;
Middle School: Phone: 860-399-2010 Fax: 860-399-2006
High School: Phone: 860-399-6214 Fax:860-399-2007
Unvaccinated Children
Please consider vaccinating your child. It is always better to prevent a disease than treat it.
Remember that any child who is not vaccinated against a vaccine-preventable disease will be excluded from school per the Religious/Medical Exemption Form.
"I understand that during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak at the above-identified school,
all susceptible children, including the student will be excluded from school if a public health
official determines that the school is a significant site for disease exposure, transmission and
spread into the community. In such case, such children, including the student shall be excluded
from school until: (1) the public health official determines that the outbreak danger has ended;
(2) the child becomes ill with the disease and completely recovers from it; (3) the child is
vaccinated according to public health protocol; or (4) the child has proof of immunity to the
disease."
Case of Measles Confirmed in Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Public Health
January 28, 2019
DPH: Case of Measles Confirmed in Connecticut
Hartford – The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that it has confirmed a case of measles in a New Haven County adult, the first confirmed case this year in the state; three cases were confirmed during 2018. DPH is collaborating with local partners to identify contacts and implement appropriate control measures.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly among unvaccinated people. However, the majority of people exposed to measles are not at-risk of developing the disease since most people have either been vaccinated or have had measles in the past, before vaccination became routine.
“Cases of measles, while not widespread in the United States, are not uncommon and measles is circulating in the United States and internationally. Currently there are ongoing measles outbreaks in the United States in New York and the Pacific Northwest. The single best way to protect yourself and your children from measles is to be vaccinated,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. “While most people have had the measles vaccination, it’s important to know your vaccination status and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles so you can get medical attention.”
The measles vaccine is very effective. One dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus. Two doses are about 97% effective. Very few people—about three out of 100—who get two doses of measles vaccine will still get measles if exposed to the virus. Measles vaccine does not cause measles illness.
Most Connecticut residents have been vaccinated. Vaccination with 2 doses of MMR is required to attend schools and colleges in Connecticut, however, students with medical or religious exemptions may attend school without being vaccinated. According to the 2016-2017 Statewide School Immunization Survey, 97% of Connecticut students were vaccinated with 2 doses of MMR by kindergarten entry. Exposed individuals who are not vaccinated against measles must stay out of school, or other high risk settings, for a full 21 days after their last known exposure.
CDC recommends all children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12- through 15-months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.
Adults should have at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Certain groups need two doses of MMR, including: college students, health care workers, international travelers, and persons at high risk for measles complications. Adults born in the U.S. before 1957 are considered immune to measles frompast exposures, but in situations where exposure to measles is likely, these adults may benefit from a dose of MMR vaccine to be safer. Individuals who are unsure of their vaccination status are encouraged to check with their physician.
International travelers should be up-to-date on their vaccinations. Most cases of measles are acquired or linked to international travel. Most people who are diagnosed as having measles are not vaccinated or did not know their vaccination status.
“Many countries throughout the world either do not place a priority on or do not have access to vaccinations, so as people from the United States travel abroad, especially individuals who have not been vaccinated, the likelihood of bringing the disease back here and exposing people at home increases. Vaccination is critical to protect yourself from getting measles and spreading your infection to others,” added Dr. Pino.
Symptoms of measles generally begin 7-21 days (typically 14-16 days) after a person is exposed to an infected person. A typical case of measles begins with mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and sore throat. Three to five days after the start of these symptoms, a red or reddish-brown rash appears, usually starting on a person’s face at the hairline and spreading downward to the entire body. At the time the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
The rash typically lasts at least a few days and then disappears in the same order. People with measles may be contagious up to 4 days before the rash appears and for four days after the day the rash appears.
Measles is very easily spread from person to person. If you have a fever and a rash and you think you might have measles, you should avoid public settings and telephone your healthcare provider BEFORE going directly to a healthcare facility so steps can be taken to avoid possibly exposing others.
For more information about measles, please visit www.cdc.gov/measles.
Click here for information on the annual numbers of vaccine preventable disease cases in Connecticut
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Mobile Dentist by Community Health Center
The School-Based Mobile Dental Program is offered here at Westbrook Public Schools for the benefit of the students.
In-School Services Provided
- Screenings
- Exams
- Cleanings
- X-Rays
- Sealants
- Oral Health Education
The following fees/charges apply to Community Health Center, Inc.’s Mobile Dental Program:
- For patients enrolled in HUSKY/Medicaid, services are 100% covered through Husky/Medicaid with no additional fees or charges.
- For patients with private dental insurance, services are billed to insurance. Patient/Family is responsible for any deductible and/or co-pay.
- For patients with no dental insurance the following fees apply:
- $30 for Dental Hygiene visit (cleaning, x-rays, fluoride)
- $18 per visit for exam by the Dentist
- $25 per visit for sealants
Enrollment is accepted year around, and once enrolled it remains active until high school graduation.
In fact, if you move to another town where CHC provides school-based services, your enrollment will continue.
To begin receiving services, please go to www.SBHC1.com to sign up quickly and easily online!
Or print and complete the enrollment form found here. Please note all parts of this registration/enrollment form must be completed, signed and returned to the School Nurse or the School Main Office before your child can receive services:
Download the form in English or in Spanish
For further information on getting a student enrolled or to un-enroll a student please contact:
Middlesex, New London & Meriden Areas
Alyson Gillissie
(860) 347-6971 ext. 5163
Student Illness Guidelines
Students will be automatically dismissed for:
- Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Temperature of 100.0 or above
- Suspected/Confirmed conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Lice/Nits
- Or at the discretion of the nurse
If dismissed for fever, diarrhea, and fever, the student must remain out of school until they are symptom free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication to suppress symptoms.
If the student is dismissed for suspected conjunctivitis (pink eye), the nurse may require a doctor's note in order to return to school.
If the student is diagnosed with conjunctivitis (pink eye), the student must remain out of school until they have completed a full 24 hours of antibiotic medication.
If lice are discovered, the student may return to school only after confirmation of hair treatment is completed, every viable nit is removed, and the nurse has assessed the student to verify the student is free of lice/nits.
Health Office Information
Physicals:
- A comprehensive physical (blue form) is required by the board of education and Connecticut state law during the 6th grade and 10th grade. Physicals need to include vision, hearing, and postural screening and immunization records. They should also include the oral health assessment. Without this physcial, your child will not be allowed to move on to the next grade.
- If your child is planning on playing a sport, an updated physical must be on file in the health office. Sports physicals are valid for 13 months and need to be received prior to any participation including tryouts. Bridge notes will not be accepted per CIAC rules.
Immunizations:
- All students entering Westbrook Public Schools must show proof of receiving the following immunizations:
- DPT/DTaP/Td (tetnus) - At least 4 doses
- Polio - At least 3 doses
- MMR - 2 doses
- Varicella 2 doses
- Hepatitis B - 3 doses
- Hepatitis A - 2 doses (Grades 5-6)
- Tdap - 1 dose (Grades 7-12)
- Meningococcal - 1 dose (Grades 7-12)
Only exceptions allowed are for religious and medical exemption. Medical exemptions need documentation from the doctor. Religious exemption forms need to be notarized. Documentation must be provided to the health office.
Health Screenings:
- Routine health screenings will be conducted by the nurse yearly:
- Hearing Screening: 5th Grade
- Vision Screening: 5th Grade
- Scoliosis/Postural: 5th and 7th Grade Females; 8th Grade Males
- 6th and 10th graders should receive their screenings at their required comprehensive physical exam.
Accommodations and Medications:
- The nurse can administer over the counter and prescription medication ONLY with an order from the physician and signed parental permission. The form must be complete and include the following:
- Provider order and written authorization to administer medication
- Parental written authorization to administer medication
- If the student will be self-administering, the form must be checked and signed by the provider and parent
- Medication must be in the original container with the pharmacy label and have a current expiration date.
- Middle school and high school students may receive Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Zyrtec with just signed parental permission. If you would like your child to be able to take these medications at school, please fill out the Authorization to administer non-aspirin medication on the Annual Health Report Update Form.
- The parent/guardian is responsible for forwarding any treatment plans (Asthma Action Plan, Allergy Plan, Diabetic Plan, etc) and doctor orders to the nurse.
- All medication authorization needs to be updated annually. All forms can be found on the website.
- If your child requires any accommodation at school, please send in a note with instructions from the health care provider.
Additional Information:
- If your child is out sick or will not be in school for any reason, please call the main office every day they are out prior to 8:00 am.
- After 9 absences, appropriate documentation is required for any and all subsequent absence.
- Please have your child eat breakfast and pack healthy snacks for school. The school does offer breakfast service and reduced pricing is available to those that qualify. Students who do not eat breakfast feel tired, dizzy, and have poor concentration. Breakfast improves school performance and increases focus.
- Please notify the nurse of any health updates throughout the year. If there is any significant medical history you would like the nurse to be aware of please feel free to contact me.