Health Services

School Nurse:  Mrs. Lisa Schmitt

School Physician:  Dr. David Dewees

The purpose of health services at Upper Cape Tech is to maintain and promote good health through education and preventive medicine.

Health services are available to any student in case of sudden illness or accident.  First aid will be administered and the parents or guardian notified.  In the event of serious injury or medical emergency, the student will be transported to Falmouth or Tobey Hospital and the parent or guardian will be notified.

All injuries, however slight, must be reported to the instructor and the school nurse so that first aid may be given and a record made for insurance purposes.

PHYSICALS

Prior to admission to Upper Cape Tech, each student is required to have a complete physical examination by his/her physician.  A form is provided by the school identifying the information required.  Prior to participating in school sports, students must be examined by the school doctor.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Completion of immunizations documented by a physician to include a Mantoux (tuberculosis) test is also required prior to admission.

MEDICATIONS

Administration of Medication in School:  Ideally all medication should be given at home.  However, medication will be administered during school hours with a written, signed and dated statement by the prescribing physician when appropriate.  This must include diagnosis, necessity for the medication, the drug, dosage, route of administration and time to be given.  Students who must have medication administered during the school day are required to do so under the supervision of the school nurse.  All medications are to be kept under the control of the nurse in the health office.

Consequences for carrying prescription medications on school grounds will be dealt with according to the Drug / Alcohol Policy.

The school nurse does not administer over-the counter medication including aspirin.

Communication between the parent or guardian and the school nurse relative to any health problems concerning the student is encouraged and welcome.  A student's medical problem that could affect his/her performance, safety, or general well being during school hours should be brought to the attention of the school nurse.

It is requested that any student who is absent for more than three consecutive days, due to a medical reason, report to the school nurse's office on his/her return to school.  In some situations, the student may be requested to submit a physician's statement explaining his/her absenteeism and/or any possible restriction on physical activities.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality of school health records and disclosure of health related information are handled in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). A release of information form must be signed by the parent or guardian prior to disclosure of any health related information regarding students to any school faculty or associated healthcare providers. Verbal permission for disclosure of information cannot be accepted. Health related information exchanged as a result of the required signed release will become part of the student's school health record.

It is the health office policy for disclosure of health information of student to be in written memorandum form entitled "CONFIDENTIAL". The memo will include names of individuals to receive the information. The memo is to be reviewed with the parent or guardian and approved prior to disclosure of information. A signed acknowledgement indicating the receipt of the information by said individuals will be filed in the student's health record.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. / 1232g; 34CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Departmet of Education.

• FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records.
• Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records.
• Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading.

Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR /99.31)

• School officials with legitimate educational interest;
• Other schools to which a student is transferring;
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
• Accrediting organizations;
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
• Juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

Schools may disclose, without active consent, "Directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance as long as parents and eligible students are given enought time to request their information NOT be disclosed.

Schools must notify parents and eligible student annually of their rights under FERPA.

ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)

All children diagnosed as having AIDS or with clinical evidence of infection with the AIDS associated virus (TTLV III) and receiving regular medical attention are able to attend school, except when certain conditions are present as specified in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health AIDS School Attendance Policy adopted by the School Committee.

Only persons identified by the Superintendent-Director as having absolute "need to know" should be informed of the child's diagnosis.

In addition, the School Committee accepts as its policy the AIDS/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome School Attendance policy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health dated September 1986.

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