Westbrook Middle School

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 

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.