Welcome to the Health Services Department

School Nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that fosters the growth, development, and educational achievement of students by promoting their health and wellness.

School Nursing has evolved over the years to include complex medical, social and behavioral needs requiring an expertise level of care and collaboration.



The Lynn Public School Nurses are registered nurses who must complete the certification requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The goal of the Lynn Public School Nurses is for every student to be healthy, safe and ready to learn!  

Please call your school nurse for any questions or concerns but specifically for the following reasons:

• New or change in medications*
• New health concern or diagnosis*
• Hospitalization, serious injury or illness*
• Any health condition or injury that may need accommodations in school or treatment by the school nurse*
• Diagnosis of a contagious disease such as chicken pox, whooping cough (pertussis), flu, etc.*
• Major life events or issues that may impact your child in school
• Need for health insurance or a primary care provider

*A doctor’s note may be required

Reference: National Association of School Nursing

Our Department Information and Nursing Assignments

Asthma and School

Children spend a large part of their day at school. Parents, children, school personnel and physicians must work together to keep asthma from interfering with normal school activities. In order to provide the best care to your child, the school nurse will need information from you and your child’s health care provider at the beginning of each school year or whenever there are changes in the treatment plan.

Our Goals
- Keep Students healthy and ready to learn
- Provide a basic understanding of asthma, symptoms and treatments
- Educate school personnel, students and families on asthma, medication management and environmental triggers

Medications at School
Children should be able to take medications when needed. An individual health care plan along with a medication administration plan will be created based on your child’s specific needs.

Checklist
Each school year, you should provide the school nurse with the following by the first day of school:
- Physician’s order for each medication (even if the student self-administers medication)
- ASTHMA ACTION PLAN from your health care provider
- Written Parent Consent Form (available from your school nurse)
- Medication in original packaging with pharmacy label

School Attendance
Children can be managed in school with minor asthma symptoms. As long as usual daily activities can be carried out, all attempts should be made to keep the child in school.

Physical Education and Sports
There should be no restrictions on children’s ability to play, take gym class, or compete in sports just because they have asthma. If the child needs to take medication prior to physical activity, this can be arranged by the school nurse. Rest periods can also be allowed.

Environment
Classrooms may contain allergens. Irritants such as chemicals for art or science projects should be avoided. Some children with asthma have allergies to food. Please discuss specifics with the school nurse.

	Asthma Information and Resources - PDF Format Documents
	Massachusetts Asthma Action Plan
	English	Creole	Khmer	Spanish
	Lynn Public Schools Asthma Brochure
	English	Arabic	Creole	Khmer	Spanish

Welcome To Our Emergency Forms Webpage

These Emergency Forms can be filled out electronically with the use of your computer and emailed directly to your child's school. Please send directly to your child's teacher, Principal, and nurse.

	Lynn Public Schools Emergency 2022-2023 Medical Forms - Updated July 7, 2022
	English	Arabic	Haitian-Creole	Khmer		Portuguese	Spanish

Important Flu Information For Families

Flu season in Massachusetts usually starts in the fall and runs through the spring. The main symptoms of influenza (flu) include fever in combination with a cough and/or sore throat. Some people may also have a runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and feel tired. Some people (especially young children) may also have diarrhea and vomiting. To keep flu from spreading in the community it is important to keep your sick child at home when he or she has the flu.  

Please Keep Your Child Home For Any Of The Following:
- A Fever of 100 Degrees F or Higher in the Past 24 hours 
- A Fever of 100 Degrees F or Higher with a Cough or Sore Throat   
- Medication Given to Reduce a Fever in the Past 24 Hours
- Diarrhea or Vomiting in the Past 24 Hours

Food Allergies In School

	Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan
	English	Spanish
	Food Allergies In School
	English	Arabic	Haitian-Creole	Khmer		Portuguese	Spanish
	Lynn Public Schools Food Alergy Policy and Protocols
	LPS Food Allergy Policy and Protocols

Preventing Illness This Hoilday Season - 2023

Dear Families,
As we return from winter break, the Lynn Public Schools and the Department of Health would like to remind parents and families about steps to take to prevent illness and stay healthy this holiday season:

1. Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against influenza as soon as possible.
2. Vaccinate your children ages 6 months and older against COVID-19; children 5 and older who had their primary series more than 2 months ago should receive an updated COVID-19 booster as soon as possible.
3. Remember, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time.
4. If your infant has been offered treatment with protective antibodies due to their prematurity or another condition, keep on schedule with their monthly treatments.
5. Practice hand hygiene frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or if a tissue is not available, cover them with an elbow, not a hand.
6. Clean high touch surfaces in your home frequently with household disinfectants.
7. Keep children home from daycare or school when ill. Please see attached guidelines.
8. Avoid social gatherings if you or your children are ill.
9. Contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider if you believe your child needs medical care. Your provider can offer advice on whether your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for COVID or flu, and the best location (doctor’s office, urgent care, emergency room) for care.

Thank you for your continued commitment and support in keeping our LPS community healthy.

Estimadas Familias,
A medida que regresamos de las vacaciones de invierno, las Escuelas Públicas de Lynn y el Departamento de Salud le gustaría recordarle a los padres y familias acerca de los pasos a seguir para prevenir enfermedades y mantenerse saludable en esta temporada de vacaciones:

1. Vacune a sus hijos mayores de 6 meses contra la influenza tan pronto como sea posible.
2. Vacune a sus hijos mayores de 6 meses contra COVID-19; los niños de 5 años o mayores que tuvieron su serie primaria hace más de 2 meses deben recibir un refuerzo actualizado de COVID-19 lo antes posible.
3. Recuerda que puedes vacunarte contra la COVID-19 y contra la gripe al mismo tiempo.
4. Si a tu bebé se le ha ofrecido tratamiento con anticuerpos protectores debido a su prematuridad u otra condición médica, cumpla con los tratamientos mensuales.
5. Practique con frecuencia la higiene de manos con agua y jabón o desinfectante de manos. Cúbrase la boca al toser o estornudar con un pañuelo desechable o, si no tiene uno disponible, cúbrase con el codo, no con la mano.
6. Limpie con frecuencia las superficies de su casa de contacto frecuente con desinfectantes domésticos.
7. No deje que los niños vayan a la guardería o al colegio cuando estén enfermos. Consulte las directrices adjuntas.
8. Evite las reuniones sociales si usted o sus hijos están enfermos.
9. Póngase en contacto con su pediatra o medico si cree que su hijo necesita atención médica. Su proveedor puede aconsejarle si su hijo necesita ser evaluado en persona, realizarle pruebas de COVID o gripe, e informarle sobre cuál es el mejor lugar (consultorio médico, atención urgente, sala de urgencias) para recibir atención médica.

Gracias por su compromiso continuo y apoyo para mantener saludable a nuestra comunidad de LPS.

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Guidelines For Keeping Your Child Home From School

Fever
For a temperature by mouth of 100.0° or higher, please keep your child home until they are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).

Vomiting
Keep your child home for 24 hours after last episode and until child can keep down food and fluids.

Diarrhea
Keep home until symptom free for 24 hours.

Rash
Rashes can have many different causes. If rash is unusual or accompanied by a fever, have your health care provider make a diagnosis and provide a note for return to school.

Colds, Cough, Runny Nose
If your child does not have a fever, is coughing or sneezing infrequently, and is able to manage secretions, they may attend school. Please keep your child home if they have a congested or uncontrollable cough or excessive secretions.

Asthma
If your child has wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath or chest tightness that doesn’t improve after taking a quick relief medication, please keep your child home and contact their health care provider.

Sore Throat
If sore throat is accompanied by fever, swollen glands, pain or swallowing difficulties, please have your child checked by your health care provider.

Stomachache
Please keep your child home if they have pain lasting more than 2 hours and/or fever, vomiting or diarrhea.

Headache, Earache, Toothache
Your child can attend school if pain can be managed by over-the-counter medications while awaiting an appointment with dentist or doctor. Child should be kept home for severe pain.

Red Eyes or Discharge from Eyes
If the white part of the eye is red or itchy and there is a yellow, green or crusty discharge, your child should be evaluated by their health care provider.

Guidelines For Keeping Your Child Home - PDF Format Documents
English	Haitian Creole	Khmer	Portuguese	Spanish

Head Lice Information and Resources

Health Insurance Webpage

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Immunization Requirements

Lynn Public Schools require compliance with current Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommended immunization schedules for school entry and attendance. Students who are not in compliance with these regulations will be excluded until the necessary immunizations are obtained and documentation is provided, unless there is a medical or religious exemption.

	Immunization Requirements - Updated July 28, 2022
	Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements 2022-2023
	Code of Massachusetts Regulations # 105 CMR 220.000

Medication Administration

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We would like to inform you of the policies that have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of children needing medications/treatments during the school day within the Lynn Public Schools.

The Lynn Public Schools require that the following forms must be on file before we give any medications/treatments at school:

1. A signed parental permission/consent form by the parent/guardian to give your child
medications/treatments while in school. Included on this form is a request for permission by the school nurse to photograph your son/daughter. Your child is being photographed in order to provide safe and accurate identification of your son/daughter when administering prescribed medications/treatments. This photograph will be attached to the medication administration log which is only accessed by the school nurse, substitute school nurse or staff trained in medication delegation.

2. A signed written medication/treatment order by your child’s licensed prescriber (physician, nurse practitioner, etc.). This medication/treatment order must be renewed as needed and at the beginning of each academic school year. One form should be filled out for each medication/treatment to be administered at school.

• Medications must be delivered by the parent/guardian or prearranged designated adult in the original pharmacy labeled container.

• Please ask your pharmacy to provide separate bottles for school and home.
• No more than a 30-day supply of medication can be delivered to the school.
In order to give your child the medications/treatments they require while in school, we ask that you please act quickly to complete the attached forms as instructed and return them to the school nurse. We appreciate your help in complying with the medication policies at the Lynn Public Schools. Download this form below.

	Lynn Public Schools Parent Consent To Administer Medication Forms
	English	Arabic	Haitian-Creole	Khmer	Portuguese	Spanish
	Lynn Public Schools Medication Form - Updated August 2020
	English	Spanish
	LPS Medication Treatment Delivery Letter - Updated August 2022
	English	Arabic	Haitian-Creole	Khmer	Portuguese	Spanish

	Lynn Public Schools Medication Administration Documents
	LPS Medication Administration Policy and Procedures Nov 2021
	Enteral Tube Feed Order Form
	Anti-convulsant Medicaion Order Form

Physicals and Screenings

Healthy Children Learn Better!

Physical Exams
Massachusetts state law requires physical examinations of school children within one year prior to entrance to school or within 30 days after school entry and at intervals of 3 or 4 years thereafter. In Lynn, all kindergarten, 4th, 7th, and 10th grade students and new entrants must have a copy of an updated physical exam in their health record. Pre-sports physicals are required annually prior to a student’s participation in competitive athletics.
We encourage students to see their own primary care provider and send documentation. If you need help finding a physician or obtaining health insurance, please let your school nurse know.
105 CMR 200.100

Lead
All pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students shall be screened for lead poisoning at least once prior to entering school. Parent must provide proof of screening to the school nurse.
105 CMR 460

Height and Weight Measurement
All 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th grade students will have their height and weight measured. The student’s height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) will be recorded in the student’s health record. If parents/guardians do not want their child’s measurement taken, they should send a written request to the school nurse at the start of the school year.
105 CMR 200.500

Vision
Upon entering kindergarten or within 30 days after school entry, the parent or guardian shall present a certificate that the student has passed a vision screening within the previous 12 months. If the student has failed or has a neuro-developmental delay, evidence of a comprehensive eye exam must be provided to the school nurse.
In school vision screening will be conducted in the year of school entry and annually through grade 5, then in grade 7 and grade 10. Parents will be notified by school health personnel if follow-up of vision screening is required. If your child is referred for further evaluation, you will be given a referral form to be completed by your child’s health care provider. The completed referral form must be returned to the school nurse.
105 CMR 200.400

Hearing
Hearing screening will be conducted in the year of school entry and annually through grade 3, then in grade 7, and grade 10. Parents will be notified by school health personnel if follow-up of hearing screening is required. If your child is referred for further evaluation, you will be given a referral form to be completed by your child’s health care provider. The completed referral form must be returned to the school nurse.
105 CMR 200.400

Postural Screening Exams
All 5th through 9th grade students will be screened yearly by the school nurse for scoliosis. Information and opt out notices will be sent home prior to screening. If a parent/guardian opts out of postural screening by the school, they must submit written documentation of a scoliosis exam by their primary care provider to the school nurse which includes the date and results. Parents will be notified by school health personnel if follow-up of postural screening is required. If your child is referred for further evaluation, you will be given a referral form to be completed by your child’s health care provider. The completed referral form must be returned to the school nurse.
General Law - Part I, Title XII, Chapter 71, Section 57

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral for Treatment
SBIRT is a confidential screening for the use of alcohol, marijuana and other substances. The goal is to let students know that we are available to reinforce healthy decisions and to assist them in obtaining support if needed for substance use. All 7th and 9th grade students will be screened using the CRAFFT-N tool. Information and opt out notices will be sent home prior to screening. Students can also opt out on the day of screening.
Mass. General Laws c.71 § 97

Dental
Screenings are not required but may be offered at your child’s school through Forsythe Dental Group. Information with permission slips to participate will be sent home during the school year or you can contact the school nurse for more information.

Public Heath Notices

Helping Prevent Fall Illness (2022/2023)
See steps below to take to prevent illness and stay healthy this season provided by The Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Download this full information document in English and Spanish.

Monkey Pox (Updated September 2022)

A general overview on monkeypox can be found on the CDC's Monkeypox Frequently Asked Questions page. You can also find Signs and Symptoms of Monkeypox  and CDC Guidance for Schools.

	Public Health Notice Download (PDF)
	Help Prevent Fall Illness English and Spanish.

Other Resources

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

The Lynn Public Schools will be conducting an annual state mandated program that focuses on screening for the use of alcohol, marijuana and other substances. Our goal is to let students know that we are available to reinforce healthy decisions and to assist them in obtaining support if needed for substance use.

This year, we will screen 7th and 9th grade students. All screenings will be conducted by either a guidance counselor, school nurse, social worker or health teacher confidentially in private one-to-one sessions. We will utilize the CRAFFT+N screening tool.

Students who are not using substances will have their healthy choices reinforced by the screener. The screener will provide brief feedback to any student who reports using substances, or who is at risk for future substance use. If needed, we will refer students to our guidance staff or social worker for further evaluation. This program focuses on harm prevention and does not generate disciplinary action. Results of the screening will not be included in your student’s school record. Every student will be given educational materials on substance use that includes resource information.

As with any school screening, you have the right to opt your child out of this screening. Please notify the school in writing. Additionally, screening is voluntary and students may choose not to answer any or all of the screening questions.
We encourage all parents/guardians to talk with their child about substance use.

More information and resources are available here and at your child’s school.

Together, schools and parents/guardians CAN make a difference for our youth.
For questions on the program, please contact your child’s school nurse, the district SBIRT Coordinator or Director of Nursing:

Information and Resources Document Downloads (PDF Format)

About Translation:
Please try our webpage translator available on the bottom of every LPS website page. Please notify the school if you need any of the above information translated into any other language.

School Based Health Centers

The School-Based Health Center program is a collaborative effort between the Lynn Community Health Center and Lynn Public Schools. This program is designed to improve the health status of the elementary, middle, and secondary school students of Lynn by increasing access to health care through school-based services.

All services provided are designed to meet the special developmental, socio-emotional and access needs of adolescents and youth. The SBHCs are satellite clinics of the Lynn Community Health Center which provides 24 hour, 7 day a week, year round back-up and access to a broad range of specialty services, health promotion and health education services. 

School-Based Health Care - Lynn Community Health Center (lchcnet.org)

	Health Center Information and Consent Forms (PDF)
	Elementary_Schools_Consent_Form_June_2021
	Middle_Schools_Consent_Form_June_2021
	High_Schools_Consent_Form_June_2021