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February 1, 2010 Dear Parent or Guardian: We are writing to inform you about the Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening Program that will be happening soon at your child’s school. A Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measure that is used to show a person’s “weight for height for age.” It is calculated using an individual’s height and weight. Just like a blood pressure reading or an eye-screening test, a BMI can be a useful tool in identifying possible health risks. The purpose of the BMI Screening Program is to give you information about your child’s weight status and ideas for living a healthy life. In Dracut, we address our children’s health and wellness through a comprehensive approach that includes health screenings and curricula units related to health and wellness. Massachusetts schools have taken heights and weights of students each year since the 1950’s. In compliance with the Commonwealth’s new BMI recording and reporting requirements, schools must now calculate the Body Mass Index of students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. The school nurse will supervise your child’s screening and will make sure your child’s privacy is respected at all times. The results of your child’s height, weight, and BMI measurements are strictly confidential – the results will be kept in your child’s school health record. Additionally, the results will be provided to you in the early spring. A BMI does not tell the whole story about your child’s health status. BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle. For example, if a child is very athletic and has a lot of muscle, his or her BMI may be high even though he or she is not overweight. That is why we encourage you to share the results with your child’s health care provider who is in the best position to evaluate your child’s overall health; and can explain the results of his or her BMI screening. They can also talk with you about whether there are steps you can take to encourage healthy eating and physical activity. We are very interested in making sure that all our students are healthy. This year, the BMI screenings will take place in February and March. All children in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 will have their height and weight measured and will have their Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. Parents who do not wish their child to participate, must notify the school in writing. Please feel free to contact your school nurse with any questions you may have about the BMI screening. Sincerely, Steven Stone M.Ed. C.A.G.S. Diane Chenelle RN Executive Director of Special Education Head Nurse
September 1, 2009 Dear Parent/Guardian, We are writing to alert you to a change in a health protocol related to the administration of over the counter medications in the schools. Consistent with Massachusetts Department of Public Health requirements, school nurses, with two exceptions (see below) will no longer be allowed to administer over the counter medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil), and antacids (Tums, etc.) without a signed physician’s order and written parental consent. The two exceptions are as follows: 1. In grades 7-12 ONLY, students, with prior written consent from a parent/guardian, can receive Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for toothache, dental brace discomfort, menstrual cramps, and/or simple headache ONLY. Students cannot receive those medicines for muscle aches, colds, or swollen joints. Those conditions require a doctor’s prescription/order. Consent forms related to this matter can be found on the district’s Health web page (www.dracutpublicschools.net/StudentServices/Health/Health.htm) or from the school nurses at the Lakeview Junior High School and Dracut Senior High School. 2. In cases where a child has a fever of 102° or higher and is waiting for a parent/guardian to pick them up from school, a school nurse may, with prior written consent from a parent/guardian, administer Acetaminophen for fever control. If you choose to provide prior written consent, please sign and return the enclosed form. Finally, a copy of the district’s Over the Counter Medication Consent form (to be completed by a private physician) is available on the district’s Health web page and/or from your child’s school nurse. If you have any questions please feel free to contact your school nurse. Sincerely, Steven Stone M.Ed. C.A.G.S.
Diane Chenelle R.N. Downloadable Forms Grade 7 through 12 Over the Counter Consent Over the Counter Medication Physician Consent Emergency Over the Counter Medication Consent
The district is preparing for the influenza season. We are
working closely with the
Dracut Board of Health H1N1(Swine) Flu Update Flu Symptom Check List for Families and Child Care Programs Fall 2009 Influenza Guidance for Schools Information for Parents about Flu in Schools http://www.doe.mass.edu/pandemic/
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