🦟Tick Prevention

With tick season active in Massachusetts, we encourage all families to take preventive steps at home:

• Conduct a tick check each day as the students go outside every day.

• Review these helpful state resources:

  • Tick-Borne Disease Prevention Tips

  • Personal Protection Against Ticks

  • Tick Repellents

☀️ Sunscreen Reminder & Medication Protocol

As a reminder, in the state of Massachusetts, sunscreen is considered a medication and cannot be applied by school staff unless the required authorization forms are completed.

We strongly encourage families to apply sunscreen to their child before arrival each day, especially on days with outdoor activities. We also recommend sending children with additional sun protection such as:

• Hats

• UV-protective clothing

• Refillable water bottles

If you would like a WSCP nurse or trained staff member to assist with sunscreen application during the program, please contact the WSCP nurse listed below and complete the required Medication Administration Protocol steps.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications may be administered if:

1. A pediatrician signs the WSCP Medication Administration Order Form-For Providers, allowing BASE staff at Wayland School Community Programs to give non-prescription medications (e.g., Tylenol, cough suppressant) for the specified school year.

2. WSCP Sunscreen Consent Form AND WSCP Insect Repellent Consent Form (for parent/guardian authorization) are signed and returned to the program to authorize administration.

3. Medication must be provided in its original pharmacy packaging or container.

4. Medication must be handed directly to a program nurse or site coordinator.

5. Parents/guardians may pick-up medication at any time during the school year. Any leftover medication will be returned to the parent or disposed of as per program policy.

Health Requirements for New Pre-K Students

To ensure a safe and healthy environment for all children, we require the following for all new Pre-K entrants:

• Physical Exam Report: A completed physical exam report, including an up-to-date immunization record, must be submitted prior to admission.

• Student Health History: A detailed health history form must also be completed and on file.

If your child is unable to receive immunizations due to medical reasons, a written statement from a physician explaining the exemption must be provided before admission. For exemptions based on religious beliefs, a written statement from the parent is required before admission and must be renewed annually.

These requirements help us create a safe and supportive learning environment for every child.

Snacks

• Please provide nut-free snacks for your child.

• If children wish to bring a snack from home, we recommend options such as fruit, vegetables, cheese, and crackers.

• All snacks from home must be individually packaged and easy for the child to manage independently.

• Sharing snacks is not allowed for the safety of all students.

Allergies and Life-Treating Medication
Parents are required to list their child’s allergies or medical conditions. The WSCP Nurse reviews the information, ensuring all staff know about allergy details and procedures. Lists of allergies and individual reactions are filed and posted appropriately at WSCP.

If your child requires emergency medication, it must be provided to the program prior to attendance.

For children with an allergy requiring an Epi-Pen or asthma needing Albuterol (inhaler):

• Families are required to provide allergy, asthma, or any other emergency medication directly to the BASE program, as we do not have access to school nurse files or medications. To ensure immediate accessibility, the program must hold these medications on-site.

• Medication order for the Epi-Pen/Albuterol signed by the prescribing physician.

• A WSCP Epipen Parent/Guardian Permission Form must be completed for Epi-Pen administration. Signed, and returned to the program to authorize administration.

• A WSCP Asthma Medication Parent/Guardian Permission Form must be completed for asthma medication. Signed and returned to the program to authorize administration.

Medication Protocol

Prescription and over-the-counter medications may also be administered if:

1. A pediatrician signs the WSCP Medication Administration Order Form-For Providers, allowing BASE staff at Wayland School Community Programs to give non-prescription medications (e.g., Tylenol, cough suppressant) for the specified school year.

2. WSCP Medication Permission Form AND WSCP Medication Administration (for parent/guardian authorization), is signed and returned to the program to authorize administration.

Any leftover medication will be returned to the parent or disposed of as per program policy.

Staff members carefully measure and administer the medication, documenting its dosage and time.

The WSCP nurse will create an Individualized Health Care Plan (IHCP) for students who take regular or emergency medications as needed.

Morgan Lobisser, RN

WSCP Happy Hollow Nurse

morgan_lobisser@waylandps.org