Health Services
"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
2024-2025 Student Illness Protocol
(updated March 25, 2024)
COVID-19 GUIDANCE
PVRSD follows COVID-19 guidance as provided by the CDC, Massachusetts DPH, and DESE.
Link to the most recent DPH Guidance release: Respiratory Illness (COVID-19, Flu, and RSV) Guidance for the General Public | Mass.gov
AT A GLANCE:
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, wear 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.
GENERAL ILLNESS GUIDELINES
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)
As always, the Pioneer 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 also serves as the District Nurse Leader.
COVID-19 Information & Resources
COVID-19 Guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Need to find a local COVID-19 vaccine site?
Use the Vaxfinder.
Health Resources and Forms
PVRSD Faculty & Staff Trainings
Please use this tab to access mandated and optional training for PVRSD faculty/staff
The Health Services Site is currently in the process of being updated. Please check back for more helpful resources soon! (updated 11/2023)