"School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential. "
-- National Association of School Nurse
PVRSD follows COVID-19 guidance as provided by the CDC, Massachusetts DPH, and DESE.
Link to the most recent DPH Guidance: Respiratory Illness (COVID-19, Flu, and RSV) Guidance for the General Public | Mass.gov
Protocol for those in K-12 schools with COVID-19, Flu, or RSV:
Stay out of school until all symptoms have improved AND there has been no fever for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
Once back in school, we strongly suggest wearing a mask for 5 days while in the school buildings (except while eating)
Quarantine/Isolation is not required or recommended if there are no symptoms, regardless of illness exposure.
When should a child stay home from school? You should keep your student home if they:
Have a fever >100.0
Are lethargic and require bed rest
Are vomiting or have diarrhea
Are short of breath or wheezing
Have a cough that disrupts normal activity
Have distracting pain from earache, headache, or sore throat
Have yellow or green drainage from their eyes
Have an unexplained rash (*not all rashes require exclusion from school, ask your school nurse if you are unsure)
The Pioneer Valley Regional School District supports any individual who
chooses to wear a mask to protect themselves or others.
If you have any questions regarding any illness symptoms, including COVID, influenza, RSV, or other communicable disease,
please contact your building-based School Nurse.
Bernardston Elementary Northfield Elementary Pioneer Valley Regional School
Mary LaValley, RN, BSN, NCSN Jacinta Hunting, RN, BSN, NCSN Neesha Kaeppel, RN, BSN
Main Phone: 413-648-9356 Main Phone: 413-498-5842 x122 Main Phone: 413-498-2931 x136
Fax: 413-648-0568 Fax: 413-498-0261 Fax: to be updated
e-mail: lavalleym@pvrsdk12.org e-mail: huntingj@pvrsdk12.org e-mail: kaeppeln@pvrsdk12.org
Jacinta is also the District Nurse Leader
Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Mass General Law, the district requires certain medical documentation for school entry. These include documentation of regular physical exams and vaccine records.
For more information on the requirements for physical exams, medication administrations in school, and special health considerations, please see review this letter.
For information regarding the required childhood vaccines, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations
Health Services Staff also conduct several Annual Health Screenings.
Please see this document for more information.
The Health Services Site is currently in the process of being updated. Please check back for more helpful resources soon! (updated 11/2023)