Health and Nursing

"A child must be healthy to learn and a child must learn to be healthy." (Massachusetts Department of Public Health)

"School nursing, a specialized practice of public health nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates normal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders that 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 potentials." (National Association of School Nurses 2016)

The mission of the school nurses in the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District is to promote the safety and wellness of more than 5700 students and more than 800 staff during the school day in order to optimize learning. Typically, the school nurses care for an average total of 300 students each school day.

School nurses:

Provide nursing assessment, diagnosis, and care for students who are ill or injured, or have chronic medical conditions
Develop individual health care plans in collaboration with students, parents/guardians, and physicians for students with asthma, diabetes, life-threatening allergies, seizures, and other chronic and acute health issues
Collaborate with school physicians on school-wide health issues
Conduct state-mandated annual vision, hearing, postural, and BMI screenings with communication as needed to parents/guardians
Review physical exams and immunizations as required by state law
Coordinate health information for students participating in athletics and band
Communicate to the school community regarding urgent health issues and changes in state laws affecting health in the schools
Compile data and submit reports to the district and state department of public health regarding the number of student and staff visits to health offices
Educate students individually and in the classroom on a variety of topics, including infection control, hygiene, human growth and development, normal anatomy and physiology, nutrition
Participate in Child Study, Student Assistance Team, Special Education Team meetings and Section 504 meetings as needed
Provide information for health care resources to families

AB School Nurse
In recent years, research has highlighted major societal, legal, and medical technological changes and their effect on the demand for school health services. These changes include: (1) increased awareness of the relationship between health and educational achievement: (2) improved medical technology; (3) increase in the number of students with special health care needs, combined with an increase in condition severity in these students; (4) rapid restructuring of the health care delivery system; (5) laws requiring inclusion; (6) changes in family structure and patterns of parental employment; (7) rise in social morbidities such as substance abuse, depression, and violence among children; and (8) impact of diverse cultural and linguistic groups.

ABRSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, age, active military/veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, and other administered programs and activities. In addition, students who are homeless or of limited English-speaking ability are protected from discrimination in accessing the course of study and other opportunities available through the schools. Read our Non discrimination Notice and Website Accessibility Statement. Website Accessibility Statement. If you find a problem that prevents access, please contact the webmaster. Inquiries will be responded to within 5-7 business days.

Acton-Boxborough Regional School District
Developing engaged, well-balanced learners through collaborative, caring relationships
WELLNESS
EQUITY
ENGAGEMENT