Health and Well-Being
The health and well-being of our students take a high priority at all of our schools. It is important that you understand what your professional medical staff members in your child’s school both can and cannot do relating to medical issues. In addition to providing routine and emergency medical care to students, school nurses maintain information on immunizations and required physical examinations. They should be able to answer many of your health-related concerns such as administration of medication during school hours, symptoms that warrant school absence, general health screenings and much more.
The nurses working in our schools are employed by the Milford Health Dept. Questions relating to public health and safety that your school nurse may not be able to answer may be directed to Joan Campbell, R.N., Director of Nursing for the Milford Health Dept. at (203) 783-3285.
In addition to providing the overall principles we follow in school for medical care, we are also including several of the most frequently referenced BOE policies regarding Health and Well-Being.
Health and Well-Being Policies
Administering Medications, (5141.21)
Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco, (5131.6)
Breathalyzers, Use of Breath Testing Devices, (5145.124)
Child Abuse and Neglect, (5141.4)
Opioid Overdose Prevention, (5141.21)
Pest Management/Pesticide Application, (3524.1)
Sexual Abuse Prevention/Education Program, (5145.511)
Suicide Prevention and Intervention, (5141.5)
Student Wellness (6142.101)
2022-23 School Nurse Assignments
CALF PEN MEADOW
Nurse: Diane Harkness
Phone: 203-301-5618
Fax: 203-783-3680
Email: dharkness@milfordct.gov
JOHN F. KENNEDY
Nurse: Jacqueline Campbell
Phone: 203-301-5616
Fax: 203-783-3688
Email: jacquelinec@milfordct.gov
LIVE OAKS
Nurse: Joan Braun
Phone: 203-301-5653
Fax: 203-783-3616
Email: jbraun@milfordct.gov
MATHEWSON
Nurse: Samantha Simone
Phone: 203-301-5617
Fax: 203-783-3563
Email: ssimone@milfordct.gov
MEADOWSIDE
Nurse: Robin Weissauer
Phone: 203-301-5602
Fax: 203-783-4826
Email: rweissauer@milfordct.gov
ORANGE AVENUE
Nurse: Mary Fowler
Phone: 203-301-5619
Fax: 203-783-3619
Email: mfowler@milfordct.gov
ORCHARD HILLS
Nurse: Brandi Solomon
Phone: 203-301-5600
Fax: 203-783-3716
Email: bsolomon@milfordct.gov
PUMPKIN DELIGHT
Nurse: Patty Stoughton
Phone: 203-301-5606
Fax: 203-783-3696
Email: pstoughton@milfordct.gov
EAST SHORE MIDDLE
Nurse: Elizabeth Melvin
Phone: 203-301-5613
Fax: 203-301-5060
Email: emelvin@milfordct.gov
HARBORSIDE MIDDLE
Nurse: Carrie Gordon
Phone: 203-301-5654
Fax: 203-783-3687
Email: cgordon@milfordct.gov
WEST SHORE MIDDLE
Nurse: Debra Levin
Phone: 203-301-5610
Fax: 203-783-4827
Email: dlevin@milfordct.gov
JONATHAN LAW HIGH SCHOOL
Nurse: Kendra Luth, Kathy Malski
Phone: 203-783-3578
Fax: 203-783-3641
Email: kluth@milfordct.gov , kmalski@milfordct.gov
JOSEPH A. FORAN HIGH SCHOOL
Nurse: Deborah Tyrrel, Linda Bespuda
Phone: 203-783-3502
Fax: 203-877-6608
Email: dtyrrel@milfordct.gov , lbespuda@milfordct.gov
THE ACADEMY
Nurse: Cora Singer
Phone: 203-301-5620
Fax: 203-783-3469
Email: csinger@milfordct.gov
Accidents
Students may call upon school nurses at any time for emergencies when they occur in school. It is important to keep the student’s emergency contact information up-to-date so that parents/guardians can be contacted in the case of an accident or illness at school.
Injuries which have occurred out of school and require medical attention should be handled immediately by contacting your personal physician for assistance; do not wait to report such injuries to the school nurse for treatment, as legal guidelines limit the extent of treatment the school nurse may provide.
Insurance: All students may purchase accident insurance for a moderate cost. Application forms can be found on the district website at the beginning of the school year.
Communicable Diseases
The Milford Health Department requires that each case of any disease listed here must be reported to the Director of Health or the school nurse. All communicable diseases must be reported to the school nurse or Health Director even if diagnosed over the weekend or over vacation. It is important to have this information so we can help prevent the transmission of communicable diseases. For the guidelines on when your child can return to school for these and other ailments, please refer to Illnesses in this section.
Chicken Pox or Herpes Zoster
Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)
COVID-19
Coxsackie Virus
Fifth Disease
German measles
Head Lice
Impetigo
Influenza
Lyme Disease
Measles
Meningitis
Mononucleosis
Mumps
Ringworm
Salmonella infections
Scabies
Streptococcal infections
Tuberculosis
Whooping cough
Emergency Contact Information
Emergency contact information for the student must be provided annually and is accomplished through your PowerSchool account each year. Emergency phone numbers, as well as your child’s special health needs (if applicable), may be entered there. This is of the utmost importance for your child’s safety and well-being.
Emergency Procedures
There are several procedures in place to address emergency situations that might arise during the school day. Parents have the right to opt out of these potentially life-saving procedures by providing a formal, written statement to the school nurse.
Parental Opt-out for Administration of Emergency Naloxone: A parent or guardian may submit a written and signed form to the school nurse requesting that their child not be administered an opioid antagonist in the event of an emergency. Such request shall be valid for one school year only and will require renewal each school year.
Parental Opt-out for Administration of Epinephrine: A parent or guardian may submit a written and signed form to the school nurse requesting that their child not be administered epinephrine (Epi-pen) in the event of an emergency. Such request shall be valid for one school year only and will require renewal each school year.
Food in School/Parties
Milford elementary schools have a 'no-food' practice when it comes to special celebrations or classroom events.
Head Lice
If parents discover their child/children have head lice, they are asked to notify the school nurse. Parental cooperation will help protect all children, including yours.
Guidelines regarding Pediculosis (Head Lice) Control
Control of pediculosis (head lice) depends on case finding, proper administrative handling of the case and prevention of spread. Transmission may be occurring outside of school and be identified only in the school.
Information regarding head lice and its potential transmission will be posted on each school’s website in the Nurse’s Office section for parents of all students.
When a case of pediculosis is reported, control measures shall be instituted by the school nurse and the school principal and classroom teacher shall be notified.
The school nurse shall examine a student’s hair and scalp when pediculosis is suspected.
When pediculosis is identified, a letter shall be sent home from the school nurse containing recommendations for treatment.
In the elementary grades, notification will be sent to parents of the student’s classmates concerning the presence of pediculosis in the class, as needed.
Before readmission to school, the student’s hair and scalp shall be checked by the school nurse. The parent/guardian must provide proof of treatment.
If a student has live lice in the hair, he/she may remain in school. If there is evidence of significant infestation, the student may be dismissed home by the school nurse. If a student has persistent nits in the hair, the school nurse will refer him/her to their health care provider.
Health Screenings
Various mandatory screenings are conducted throughout the school year.
Vision and hearing screenings: Grades K, 1, 3, 4, and 5
Scoliosis screenings: For girls in Grades 5 and 7; for boys in Grade 8
A physical examination health assessment is required for new entrants to the school district (including all preschool students and all students entering Kindergarten) and all students in Grade 6 and Grade 10.
Health Services
A licensed Registered Nurse (R.N.) is on duty at school during normal school day hours. The nurse is available for health counseling and health emergencies. Students who are ill are asked to request a pass from their classroom teacher to visit the nurse. If medical treatment or dismissal from school is necessary, the student’s parent or guardian will be notified. If a student is too ill to remain in school, arrangements will be made with a parent or guardian to ensure a safe return home. Before admission to the Milford Public Schools, all new entrants must have a physical examination within one year and meet the school immunization requirements per the CT Dept. of Public Health.
Homebound
This program provides tutors to students who cannot come to school for physical, psychological, or emotional reasons. Before such a special homebound program can be implemented, medical and other determining factors are taken into account, and a special individualized program is developed. Teachers, parents, administrators, school nurses, physicians, agencies, clinics and pupil personnel staff members are involved in setting up such a program. In many cases, the Planning and Placement team is the agency for such cooperation.
Tutoring takes place in a community/school setting unless there are significant medical issues requiring alternative arrangements, to help the student until he/she is able to return to school. The tutor is responsible for grading during the homebound period.
Unless otherwise arranged, homebound must be reviewed every 3 weeks by the primary care provider. In addition, some courses require specific hands-on activities or specialized equipment, making the course inappropriate for homebound instruction. See your school counselor for a list of courses that are not eligible for homebound instruction.
Illness
[Please check with your school nurse regarding COVID-19 cases].
Parents and guardians of students who remain home due to illness are asked to notify the school using the Attendance Absence Form in PowerSchool before the start of the school day.
Students who become ill during the day must report to the school nurse to be excused from school.
Deciding whether a child should go to school or not is sometimes difficult. In the interest of the health of your student’s classmates, we suggest children stay home if they show any of these signs or symptoms:
Fever
Skin rash
Swollen glands
Eye irritation
Ear ache
Bleeding
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Sore throat
Cold chills
Dizziness
Swelling (bones or joints)
and any other diagnosed communicable disease
Return to School Guidelines
Chicken Pox: Child may return to school 5 days after the first appearance of vesicles, provided that all lesions are dry and scabbed.
Conjunctivitis: Child is excluded from school with a referral to their physician. The child may return to school with a note from their physician stating that they no longer have an active infection.
COVID-19 Positive Test: Child may return to school in accordance with policies established by the Milford Health Department based on CT DPH and CDC guidance.
Coxsackie Virus: Child may return to school with a note from his/her physician (once fever free for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and blisters are dry and scabbed).
Impetigo: Child is excluded from school with a referral to their physician. The child may return to school with a note from their physician stating that they no longer have active infection.
Lice: Child will not be restricted from school attendance because of lice or nits. The child’s parent/guardian will be notified by the school nurse upon discovery of an active head lice infestation with instructions on treatment options. The child may return to school after demonstrating proof of treatment.
Ringworm: Child is excluded from school with a referral to their physician. The child may return to school 72 hours after initiating topical therapy and with a note from their physician detailing when the treatment was initiated. The area should be covered while in school, if able.
Scabies: Child is excluded from school with a referral to their physician. The child may return to school with a note from their physician stating that they no longer have active infection.
Strep: Child may return to school 24 hours after systemic antibiotic treatment is initiated, provided that the child is afebrile.
Scarlet Fever: Same as for strep.
Tonsillitis and Pharyngitis: Child may return to school if not acutely ill, afebrile and feeling otherwise well.
Tuberculosis, (latent): Latent tuberculosis infection is defined as M. tuberculosis infection in an individual who has a positive tuberculin test (also known as a PPD test), however no physical findings of disease and a normal chest X-ray or a chest X-ray that reveals evidence of healed infection. After receiving medical clearance from their physician and/or the Milford Health Department, children with latent tuberculosis infection can participate in all school activities whether they are receiving treatment or not.
Tuberculosis, (active): Active tuberculosis disease is defined as disease in an individual with infection in whom signs, symptoms, or radiographic (X-ray) manifestations caused by M. tuberculosis is apparent. Individuals diagnosed with active tuberculosis disease have the potential to transmit M. tuberculosis to other people.
After receiving medical and public health clearance from their physician and the Milford Health Dept., children with active tuberculosis can return to school and resume regular activities as soon as medication therapy has been instituted and there is an ongoing monitor of adherence to the medication treatment plan.
Medical Information
Many times, a student may become ill, sustain an injury, have an operation or surgical procedure, obtain a new prescription for new glasses or lenses or receive an immunization booster during school vacations. You must inform the nurse so your medical information can be updated and, when indicated, appropriate staff can be notified.
Student Assistance Team
The district believes it is in the best interest of our students, their families, and the school to provide a Student Assistance Team which has been specially trained to help students who may be experiencing challenges to their learning and academic progress. Problems may be occurring with students themselves, with their friends, or with their family. Every effort will be made to offer students and their families’ assistance, including early identification, referral for treatment if necessary and after care support.
What is the Student Assistance Team?
Consisting of teachers, counselors, school psychologists, nurses and administrators, the team has been specially trained in Milford to assist students with personal problems including drugs and alcohol.
Who can use the team?
The services of the Student Assistance are available to any student, as well as to any member of their immediate family who may have a concern.
How can the team help?
If students have concerns about themselves, their family or their friends, the team can help by providing immediate personal support or acting as a referral service to other resources that can better serve the student’s needs.
How does referral to the team work?
There are four basic ways referrals may happen:
Self-referral: a student contacts a member of the team directly
Family referral: a member of the student’s family contacts the team
Friend referral: a friend contacts the team
Faculty referral: a student’s teacher contacts the team
Asbestos Annual Notification
(AHERA, 40 CFR Part 763, Title II of Toxic Substances Control Act)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations require that the Milford Board of Education annually notify parents, teachers, and employee organizations that an asbestos management plan has been prepared in accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA, 40 CFR Part 763 of Title II of the Toxic Substances Control Act). Inclusion in the Parent Student Handbook serves as this notification.
Asbestos Management Plans have been developed for each of our educational facilities (Grades PK-12) which have asbestos containing building materials present. These plans are available and accessible to the public at each individual school office and at the Maintenance Department Office, 70 West River Street, Milford, CT 06460.
Any questions concerning the above can be directed to: Patrick Bradbury, Director of Facilities via phone (203) 783-3430 or email at pbradbury@milforded.org
Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management Letter To Parents
Integrated Pest Management Plans:
General Pest Control