Mount Alvernia Academy Health Services
School Nurse: Karleen Kiritsy
Telephone: 617-527-7540 ext. 204
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:45am-3:00 pm
New Admissions
New students in all grades must have written documentation of a valid physical exam done by a physician in Massachusetts within one year of entering school. Written documentation of current immunizations signed by a physician is also required. Students from other countries may have additional requirements that will be determined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Students with Special Medical Conditions
Please contact Mrs. Kiritsy as soon as possible if your child has a special medical condition. A special medical condition may include the following: asthma, diabetes, seizures, or a severe life threatening allergy. In order to create a safe environment for your child, the nurse will meet with you and make an individual health plan for your child if needed. This written health plan will include input from the parent, the nurse, and the child's physician. This plan will then be put in place to make others in the school aware of your child's medical condition and how to respond to it.
Medications
See MAA Policy in Parent/Student Handbook.
Physical Education and Recess Excuses
All physical education and athletic excuse notes should be presented to and filed by the nurse in the health office prior to the class or activity. The nurse will then inform the appropriate faculty member. A physician's order is required for:
- Any use of the elevator for medical or mobility restrictions
- Any use of assistive devices while in school (i.e., crutches, splints, slings, etc.)
Health Services
Health services that are provided:
- Medication administration
- Skilled nursing care & management for students with special health needs
- Consultation
- Illness and injury assessment
- First aid
- Communicable disease surveillance
Communicable Diseases
If a student is diagnosed with a communicable disease such as strep throat, chicken pox, conjunctivitis, impetigo, or shingles, contact the school nurse. This information is vital for control measures as well as for protecting students and staff who may be medically at risk from exposure to these diseases. Students need to remain home until they are no longer contagious. This limits the spread of illness and allows your child to recover quicker. Listed below are guidelines for when your child should return to school after being ill.
- Strep Throat - 24-48 hours after starting medication
- Conjunctivitis - 24 hours after the medication has started and there is no drainage from the eyes
- Impetigo - 24 hours after the medication has started
- Pediculosis - Head Lice is an easily transmitted condition and treatment is important. The school nurse should be notified immediately when a case is identified. Students may return to school after completing treatment and when they are nit free. They must see the nurse for a head check upon arriving back at school and before going to class.
- Fever - Students may attend school when their temperature is below 100 degrees for 24 hours and they have not taken medication to reduce the fever. Fevers that are associated with a virus are lowest in the morning. If your child has a fever in the evening or during the night, he/she should not attend school the next day.
- Vomiting/Diarrhea - Students should be symptom free for 24 hours.
- Coughs/Colds - Consider keeping your child home if he/she is experiencing significant discomfort from cold symptoms such as persistence cough, congestion or continuous runny nose.
Each day parents are faced with the decision: should they keep their sick children a home or send them to school. Often the way your child looks or behaves can help you make the decision. The above guidelines should be considered when you are trying to decide. Keep in mind that a sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in class in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child at home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child an opportunity to rest and recover. Please feel free to call the nurse's office if you have any questions regarding school attendance guidelines.
Emergency Information Cards
These cards are distributed at the beginning of the school year. Please update them if any information changes. Please list work phones, cell phones and beepers. It is vital that we are able to reach you in the event of an emergency.
Alternate emergency contacts must be listed and they must be able to pick up the child when contacted.
Please call Mrs. Kiritsy with any changes in your child's health or if you have any concerns.
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