Role of the School Nurse
To promote an optimum level of wellness for students and staff:
     -Ensures compliance with state’s mandated immunization policy for entry into school.
     -Counsels students, families, and staff on wellness and health issues.
     -Manages and administers medication.
     -Manages students with special health care needs.
     -Maintains confidential health records for all students.
     -Provides acute, episodic and emergency care.
     -Provides information on prevention and control of diseases and other health matters.
     -Manages mandated screening programs.
     -Provides reports to Dept. Public Health

Medication & Emergencies
     -No Student may carry medicine on the bus or during school. The only exception is for inhalers and Epi-pens. The parent must make prior arrangements with the nurse. All medicines must be in original containers. Medicine in baggies cannot be accepted.
     -Parents are required to complete the student health and emergency information form each year. Parents are responsible to the school for having a number to call if they cannot be reached, and the name of a person who can be responsible for a child if he or she becomes ill in school.
     -If a child becomes ill at school, the Nurse or Main Office will call the parent to make arrangements to take the child home. Injuries at school, if they are severe, will be handled by 911. Parents will be notified immediately if an ambulance is called.

Sick Child Protocol
Your child must remain at home or be dismissed if:
     -They do not have required immunizations mandated by DPH
     -They have vomited or have diarrhea. May return to school 6 hours after last episode.
     -They have a fever of 100F or higher. Students must be fever free for a day before reentry.
     -They have red or pink itchy eyes with crusty and or green/yellow drainage. May return to school when no drainage and or on medication for a full 24 hours.
     -They have a rash of unknown origin. May return to school when written authorization from the health care provider is submitted to the school Nurse.
     -They have a contagious disease, (DPH protocols are followed).
     -Students need to be on antibiotics for 24 hours before reentry.
     -They have untreated Lice or Nits (eggs).
     -They are acutely ill or injured.

This list is a guideline. The School Nurse reserves the right to dismiss students, who in his /her professional opinion, are possibly contagious or to ill to be in school.

Health Program
All students participate in Health classes throughout a four year, rotating curriculum. The curriculum is divided into four strands: physical health, social/emotional health, safety and prevention and personal and community health. It is designed to support and encourage students to maintain and improve their health, prevent disease, and reduce health-related risk behaviors. The following link will provide you with the curriculum overview for health classes for the 3rd and 4th quarters. Sexual Health Project Template

Classroom Resources
Health is taught in the Homebase, Media Center and the common room and technology is integrated into many projects.

Curriculum Frameworks
Murdoch is currently using the recommended Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Frameworks to guide our planning and instruction for Health in grades 5-9. These standards can be viewed here.