Nursing Services
School Nursing
School nursing is a specialized practice of nursing that protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential. (National Association of School Nurses 2/2017)
The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough Health Services strive to ensure that all students and staff reach their optimal state of wellness. Our highly qualified nursing staff are available in each school to foster the growth, development and educational achievement of all students by promoting social, emotional and physical health and wellness. Your child's physical and emotional health and well-being are our top priorities. Please feel free to contact your school nurse at any time with any questions, concerns or health updates.
Immunizations and Physical Requirements
All students are required to provide proof of up-to-date immunizations in accordance with Massachusetts law. No unimmunized student shall be admitted to, or be allowed to remain in, school unless they can satisfy these requirements:
- A medical exemption is allowed if a health care provider submits documentation to school that an immunization is medically contraindicated; or
- A religious exemption is allowed if a parent/guardian submits a signed statement to school stating that a vaccine is against sincerely held religious beliefs.
Medical exemptions MUST be renewed annually and religious exemptions should be renewed annually at the start of the school year.
The school is required to have proof of a physical exam every three to four years and for all new students. High school students need to have a copy of a physical examination (completed after their 16th birthday) on file at the school. A current physical is required to try out for any sport.
Follow the link below to view the updated table of immunization requirements for the upcoming school year:
NEW – Meningococcal Requirements
- 2 doses; second dose MenACWY (formerly MCV4) must be given on or after the 16th birthday and ≥ 8 weeks after the previous dose.
- 1 dose is acceptable if it was given on or after the 16th birthday. Meningococcal B vaccine is not required and does not meet this requirement.
Influenza Recommendation
- 1 dose; seasonal influenza vaccine for the current flu season is recommended to be received annually.
“Every year, thousands of people of all ages are affected by influenza, leading to many hospitalizations and deaths,” said Dr. Larry Madoff, Medical Director, DPH’s Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences. “It is more important now than ever to get a flu vaccine because flu symptoms are very similar to those of COVID-19 and preventing the flu will save lives and preserve healthcare resources.”
DPH strongly recommends that everyone age six months and older receive their seasonal flu vaccine each year.
District Health & Wellness Resources
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Illness Guidelines
When to stay home and when it is okay to go to school
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To view school specific contact information, policies, and important health updates please select a school from the menu below.
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Our mission is to provide health services that support the academic success of ARHS students and promote an exceptional educational experience in a safe environment. We assist students in maintaining optimal mental and physical well-being while in school, and collaborate with parents, medical providers, and other school personnel to meet health needs.
To report a students' absence, dismissal or tardy arrival, please input it directly into PowerSchool. Simply log-in and click on the menu item on the left that says, "Attendance Monitor" and choose "Report Attendance". For detailed directions, click here.
One of the key mitigation strategies to keep our school buildings healthy is the commitment of all of our students and staff to stay home if they are sick and consult with the school nurse. It is sometimes hard to know when you should keep your children home from school.
Contact Us
Fax: 508-393-2129
- Heather Allen, MSN, RN
- hallen@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-351-7010 ext. 1234
- Erika Almquist, MSN, RN
- ealmquist@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-351-7010 ext. 1233
Screenings – State mandated requirements
Massachusetts mandates the following screenings be completed:- Grade 9 – Scoliosis
- Grade 10 – Hearing, Vision, and Growth (height and weight) screenings
When hearing, vision, and scoliosis screenings are complete, the parent/guardian will be notified if a referral is necessary.
The parent/guardian may request in writing that a student be excused from screening. A separate request is required for each screening.
- Heather Allen, MSN, RN
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My goal is to partner with you to ensure that your student is healthy, safe and ready to learn while they are at school. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns about your child's health or well being. I am available Monday through Friday, during school hours in the health office or by phone/email. I look forward to assisting the Woodward community to a healthy and successful school year.
Contact Us
Fax: 508-229-0623
- Kelly Kiley, MSN, BSN, RN
- kkiley@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-229-1250 ext. 64305
- Kelly Kiley, MSN, BSN, RN
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Greetings! I personally welcome you and your family to the Proctor Elementary School. As the school nurse, I look forward to building a lasting relationship with you and your children over the next six years. Please feel free to call me, or send me an email, with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child. If I am unavailable to take your call, please leave a message on my voice mail and I will call you back as soon as possible.
School nursing is a specialized practice of nursing that protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential. (NASN 2/2017)
"The School Nurse has a crucial role in the seamless provision of comprehensive health services to children and youth. The role of the School Nurse is serving as a team member in providing preventive services, early identification of problems, interventions, and referrals to foster health and educational success." – American Academy of Pediatrics Council on School Health, 2008
“Nurses encompasses an art, a humanistic orientation, a feeling for the value of the individual, and an intuitive sense of ethics, and of the appropriateness of action taken." – Myrtle Aydelotte
Contact Us
Fax: 508-501-8827
- Diane Gage, M.Ed., BSN, RN
- dgage@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-351-7040
- Diane Gage, M.Ed., BSN, RN
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Contact Us
Fax: 508-501-8186
- Meghan Fiore, MSN, BSN, RN, CPNP-PC
- mfiore@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-351-7030 ext. 56107
Screenings – State mandated requirements
Massachusetts mandates the following screenings be completed:
- Vision – Grades K-5, 7 and 10
- Hearing – Grades K-3, 7 and 10
- Postural – Grades 5-9
- Body Mass Index (BMI) - Grades 1, 4, 7 and 10
Results of Vision, Hearing and Postural screenings are reported to parents when outside referrals appear necessary.
Parents who want their child excused from the above screenings must submit a written note to the Health Office for each screening.
- Meghan Fiore, MSN, BSN, RN, CPNP-PC
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Welcome to the Neary Elementary School! Your child's health and well-being is my top priority. Please feel free to contact me at any time with concerns and updates in your child's health. On the following pages you will find links for medication forms, health office concerns, mandated screenings, FAQ, and other helpful information.
My background: I have been a nurse for over 38 years. I spent 25 years as a hospital nurse, working in the emergency room, newborn intensive care, and pediatric intensive care units. I began subbing in the schools on my days off while my kids were young, and became one of the first float nurses in this district in 2008. I have enjoyed this career switch, and am happy to be here for your students' needs, whether physical or emotional.
A little more about me: I am married to my husband of 30 years (a retired Naval Aviator), and we have three grown children; my oldest daughter is also a nurse, my middle daughter is a Physician Assistant, and my son is an engineer. I have a golden doodle who loves to eat socks, and a new sheepadoodle puppy. I love travelling with my husband and my kids, every chance we get.
From 8:45-3:00, your kids are my kids. Together, we are a team! One of my main goals is to encourage your child to become more independent and self-reliant, so that they are ready for middle school and beyond. Nothing makes me happier than keeping my students healthy and happy during their two years at Neary Elementary School!
Contact Us
Fax: 508-229-4460
- Debra Parsons, MSN, RN, NCSN
- dparsons@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-481-2300 ext. 62105
- Debra Parsons, MSN, RN, NCSN
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Screenings – State mandated requirements
- Vision – Grades 1-5
- Hearing – Grades 1-3
- Height, weight, BMI – Grades 1 and 4
- Scoliosis – Grade 5
I will notify you if your child needs further examination once the screening is complete.
All students are required to have a physical during their third grade year according to Massachusetts law. As soon as your child has their physical, please send in a copy to the health office. Per Massachusetts law, your child will not be able to begin fourth grade without a physical on file.
Contact Us
- Lorrie Perkins, MSN, RN
- lperkins@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-351-7035 ext. 54104
Food Allergy Information
Peaslee School is an allergy safe school.
We do NOT have allergy free tables or classrooms. We believe in education not elimination. Part of our role is to prepare the students for the real world, which is not allergy free. We take great care to make sure your child is safe from his/her allergen while at school. We talk to all our students about not sharing food, and washing hands and mouth after eating. If your child is uncomfortable at the lunch table with what other children are eating, we can help them with moving to another seat.
Our cafeteria does serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. The sandwiches are prepared separately then individually wrapped all to avoid cross contamination. Our cafeteria staff is aware of all of the children with food allergies.
In addition to the nurse, the majority of the staff are trained to give an epi-pen in the event of an emergency(to those students with known allergies). This training takes place twice a year.
If you have any questions regarding food allergies please do not hesitate to call the nurse or stop in the office during school hours.
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Contact Us
Fax: 508-501-7048 ext. 52131
- Tricia Frutman
- tfrutman@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-351-7035 ext. 54104
- Tricia Frutman
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Welcome to the Finn Elementary School Health Office! Our goal is to support the health, safety, and well-being of every student so they can be ready to learn and participate fully in their school day.
The Health Office provides care for students who become ill or injured during the school day, manages health conditions and medications, and works closely with families and staff to meet students' individual health needs. We also promote healthy habits and help create a safe and supportive school environment for all students.
Please reach out to the Health Office with any questions or concerns regarding your child's health at school.
Contact Us
Fax: 508-978-5912
- Kathleen Carvalho, MSN, RN
- kcarvalho@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-485-3176 ext. 63107
- Kathleen Carvalho, MSN, RN
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Contact Us
Fax: 508-501-8898
- Bridget Garland, BSN, RN
- bgarland@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- 508-485-2400 ext. 65110
School Sports Information
Trottier Middle School has an interscholastic sports program for field hockey, boys and girls basketball, softball and baseball. If your child is planning on participating in this program, Massachusetts state law requires a physical examination within the year for all interscholastic sports. A copy of his/her physical must be in the health office before your child can participate in this program.
If you have any questions, please call Kim Bowker at 508-485-2400, ext 110
Do you need health coverage or help paying for it?
In Massachusetts there area several low cost and free health coverage programs available to families and children through MassHealth. In fact, MassHealth also offers programs specifically designed for working families. For example, if you are working but feel your private insurance is too expensive, MassHealth may be able to help pay for part of your premium costs. If your children do not qualify for MassHealth, they may be able to get coverage through the Children's Medical Security Plan.
These programs can help cover costs for things like well-child checkups, physicals for sports, prescription drugs and emergency care.
To learn more about MassHealth or the Children's Medical Security Plan
please call: 1-800-841-2900There are also numerous free clinics in the surrounding towns that provide free medical care to the uninsured and under-insured. If you would like information on these clinics please contact me.
- Bridget Garland, BSN, RN
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The mission of the Robert E. Melican Middle School health office is to assist each student in achieving and obtaining optimal health to maximize physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth. We hope through communication, cooperation and collaboration, we can work together to make that goal a reality. Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child.
Contact Us
Fax: 508-501-7811
Phone: 508-351-7020 ext. 55405
- Kimberly Gallagher, BSN, RN
- kgallagher@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- Mary Rogers BSN, RN
- mrogers@nsboro.k12.ma.us
- Kimberly Gallagher, BSN, RN