Welcome from the Health Center! It is our hope that your daughter will have a healthy, successful year. We understand that there are times when an illness prohibits us from functioning at 100%. Although we admire the dedication and determination possessed by our students, sometimes it is best to allow the body to rest! If your daughter has a contagious illness (bacterial or viral respiratory illness, gastrointestinal illness, etc.) or a temperature greater than 101°, please allow her to fully recover at home before sending her to school. Just a reminder of health-related information as per the Student-Parent Handbook:
Illness: If a day student is ill and cannot attend classes, a parent must call the School prior to 8:00 a.m. to explain the absence (413-443-6401). A message should be left on the School’s voice mail if there is no answer. A call can also be made to the Health Center to inform one of the nurses of a day student’s absence (413-395-7074). A doctor’s note is required when students are absent for three consecutive days. If a day student becomes ill while at school, she should report to the Health Center for evaluation. Day students who are unable to attend classes and/or commitments after arrival at school are to return to their homes as soon as parents are notified and transportation can be arranged.
Medical Appointments: Routine medical and dental appointments should be made during school vacations or after the school day. When there is no alternative to a student’s missing time during the school day for a medical appointment, a parent must contact a nurse in the Health Center at least forty-eight hours in advance of the appointment so that an absence request form can be given to the student. The completed and signed form should be returned to the dean of students for the absence to be recorded as excused. Day students are not allowed to leave campus to drive themselves to appointments without parental permission.
Medications: The possession of any prescription drug, over-the-counter drug, or herbal remedy is a major rule violation subject to disciplinary action. Should your daughter need to take medication at any time while on campus, please send in a small supply to be safely kept in the Health Center. When the medication is needed, she must report to the Health Center and have a nurse administer the medication.
Social Hosting: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Social Host Responsibility Law prohibits the sale, delivery, or furnishing of alcoholic beverages to persons under twentyone years of age in any setting, including your home (see General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 138, Section 34). Hosting another person’s child comes with certain responsibilities, liabilities, and assumptions about judgment. It is the School ’s policy that alcohol is never served or consumed in the direct presence of students.
Thank you for your partnership in helping to maintain the health and safety of our community! Sincerely, Christiane Puz RN Christiane Puz RN Director of Health Services (413)395-7074 cpuz@misshalls.org
Tips from the Health Services Department at Miss Hall’s School When to keep your daughter home: o Fever of 101 or higher o Vomiting and/or diarrhea o A contagious disease (strep throat, pinkeye/conjunctivitis, chicken pox), until advised to return o Illness or injury that requires further medical evaluation Help your daughter be healthy and successful in school by making sure: o She arrives at school on time o She gets 8-10 hours of sleep every night o She eats breakfast every morning (breakfast is served every day in the dining hall) o She wears her glasses or contacts o Her immunizations meet the state of Massachusetts school entry requirements Also – please make sure that phone numbers and email addresses for all emergency contacts as well as health and medical information are kept up to date in Magnus!
Please call the Health Center with any questions or health-related concerns: 413 – 395 - 7074