Blanchard Memorial School
BOXBOROUGH
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
493
MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
September 2009
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Each year several programs or activities take place at Blanchard School,
which relate directly to your child’s health.
Some of these programs are mandated by Massachusetts General Law and take
place automatically, other programs are offered as optional services.
Please take a moment to acquaint yourself with what these activities are
and, if you so choose, to sign up for any optional program offered at your
child’s grade level.
All first through sixth grade students will have their hearing and vision
checked once during the year. First
and fourth grades will have their height and weight checked during the year. If
the student is unable to pass the vision screening, you will be notified at
once. Students who have difficulty
with the hearing screening will be re-screened in approximately three weeks.
You will be notified if your child is unable to pass the hearing test on
the second attempt.
In addition, if you wish, a dental hygienist from Nashoba Associated
Boards of Health will examine children’s teeth in grades Kindergarten, second
and fourth. The hygienist will contact you if she finds anything of concern
during the examination. Since, the
hygienist performs no dental care during this exam, it can be a non-threatening
opportunity for a child to get used to having his or her teeth checked.
A permission form will be sent out in the next week by the hygienist.
At that time, please fill it out whether or not you wish to have your
child’s teeth examined. In addition to this, with your permission, first through
sixth grade students may participate in the Weekly Fluoride Mouthrinse Program.
An explanation of this program and permission form is enclosed. A
separate permission for this will be coming home at the end of September.
Please fill out and return the form whether or not you wish to have your
child participate in the program.
Massachusetts also requires that students in grades 5 - 9 be screened for
abnormal spinal curves. This
program, called “postural screening” is not optional, but since some of you may
prefer to have it done by your child’s physician at the time of a routine
physical, you may elect to have it done that way.
Documentation of the screening whether at school or by your physician
must appear in your child’s school health record.
Further explanation of the postural screening program will be sent to
parents of fifth and sixth grade students in the near future. Fifth graders will
be given an explanation of the procedure and a chance to ask questions before
they are screened.
All new students to the school should have a copy of a recent physical
(within 1 year) with immunization documentation in their health record.
In addition to this all parents of fourth graders should send in a copy
of a physical during the school year to update their children’s health records.
If you have a Kindergarten student who had a physical this past summer
(after K screening) please send in an updated copy of the physical and
immunizations.
With the flu season coming and new information weekly regarding the H1N1
flu we will be keeping you updated with new information as we receive it.
Please check the website for updates frequently.
Again, please encourage your children to cover their cough and practice
good hand washing. If they are
ill, keep them home.
Working together we can minimize the spread of infection in the school setting.
If you have any questions or if you have information or questions
regarding your child’s health, please
feel free to call me at 263-4569 x 203.
Thank you,
Kathy Daniel, R.N.
School Nurse