Board of Education
District Info
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School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, 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. A good health plays an important role in order to support children and enhance their learning. The nurses in Watertown are dedicated in providing direct care to all students in order to maintain all aspects of their wellbeing including physical, social, emotional and mental health. Together with help from families and other essential staff we can prepare our children for a bright future. The Watertown School District has policies and protocols established in accordance with the Connecticut Department of Education, the Department of Public Health, and the CDC.
REQUIRED PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
New Students to the District
ALL new students (including Kindergarten) are required to receive a series of required immunizations and a physical exam, completed by a licensed physician in the USA, within 12 months of starting school. Find the required immunizations here: 24 25 Immunizations . Please note that Pre-K students are required to have annual flu vaccine in order to attend school.
ALL Preschool, Kindergarten, Grade 6 and Grade 9 Students are required to provide proof of a current physical examination and updated immunizations during the school year.
Swift and WHS athletes participating in sports are required to provide sports physicals signed by an approved licensed medical physician. Yearly regular physicals can be accepted in place of as sports physical as long it is current, however a sports physical cannot take the place of an annual physical.
Parents please be sure to fully complete and sign the first page of the health assessment record (physical form) before bringing it to the school nurse.
Religious exemptions done after April 28th 2021 are not valid and will not be accepted.
Students enrolling in Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 are required to have the annual flu vaccine.
State of Connecticut offers a program called the Connecticut Vaccine Program (CVP) which is state funded and federally funded to help children get access to vaccines at no cost. Please visit the Department of Public Health website for more information.
REQUIRED HEALTH SCREENINGS
Vision: Kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 4, and 5
Hearing: Kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 4, and 5
Postural/Scoliosis: Females in grades 5 and 7; Males in grade 8 & 9
Please note that if you choose to opt out for any of the above screenings for your child, a note must be sent to the school nurse.
We ask that parents/guardians please make sure your child's medical records are current.
REQUIREMENTS TO RETURN TO SCHOOL AFTER INJURY
A student may return to school after an injury once the following requirements have been met:
1. The medical diagnosis from a physician with orders for any medical devices needed to get around school (i.e. crutches, cast, sling, etc.)
2. Accommodations needed such as allowing extra time between classes, extra time for testing, or use of elevator/lift.
3. Specific restrictions such as may not participate in PE, sports or band or cannot carry books in affected extremity.
4. Clearances needed for school events such as field trips, homecoming or prom.
5. Please be sure that instructions and orders are dated and a time frame is included, e.g. wheel chair to be used for 4 weeks.
6. For each follow up visit, please bring doctor’s note with updates to the nurse’s office.
If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse.