Health Office - Providence Schools

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             Health Office

Contact Donna O’Connor, Nurse/Health Services Administrator, at 456-9317 or donna.o’connor@ppsd.org for more information on health and safety topics or if you have any questions/concerns.

Immunization Requirements for Kindergarten to Grade 12

Effective August 1, 2011, students must receive the following immunizations prior to their enrollment:

– Kindergarten Health Requirements

– Grade 1–3 Health Requirements

– Grade 4–6 Health Requirements

– Grade 7 Health Requirements

– Grade 8–10 Health Requirements

– Grade 11–12 Health Requirements

School & Sports Physicals

All students enrolling in the Providence Public School District are required to present an up-to-date written physical administered by a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse-practitioner if coming from outside the state of Rhode Island. Additionally, students entering the 7th grade are required to provide an updated physical (there is a six-month grace period to make one available). Prior to trying out for a school sport, all athletes must provide a sports physical administered by a doctor or physician’s assistant within 30 days prior to the start of the sports season. One sports physical per year is sufficient. Forms for the physicals may be obtained from the student’s coach or school nurse/teacher.

Administration of Medications

Parents must provide written authorization for school nurse/teachers to administer medicines and prescription medications. All forms must be completed by a physician with a diagnosis and directions for dispensing the medication. Authorization forms must also be signed by the parent/guardian. All medication is dispensed by the school nurse/teacher unless specified on the form that older students can self-medicate. Authorization forms may be obtained from the school nurse/teacher. All such medications must be turned in directly to the school’s nurse/teacher by the parent or guardian prior to the start of school.

Dental Screening Programs

Providence Public School students in grades K-5 receive dental screening annually. Students will be screened at least once between 6th and 10th grades. Students who have their own private dentist must show proof to be exempt from the school screening.

Health Insurance

At the start of school each year, Providence Schools makes school health and dental insurance available to each student enrolled in the district. A variety of options are provided to each parent/guardian for consideration.

Hearing Tests

School children in pre-kindergarten programs operated by public school districts, as well as school children in grades K-3, and any students new to a school without prior record of hearing screening shall be given a hearing screening courtesy of the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.

Vision Tests

Upon entering Kindergarten or within thirty (30) days of the start of the school year, the parent or guardian of each child shall present to the school nurse certification that the child has passed a vision screening within the previous twelve (12) months. The screening must have been conducted by a health care professional, licensed by the Department or a comprehensive eye examination must have been performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. Every student will be given a vision screening at least upon entry to school and in the 1st through 5th, 7th and 9th grades.

Medical Conditions

If your child has a chronic health condition, such as asthma or diabetes, you should notify the school nurse immediately so that proper procedures can be developed to assist your child. For more information, call your school principal or school counselor.

Home & Hospital Instruction

Home and hospital teaching services are provided to a student who is temporarily unable to attend school for certified medical or emotional reasons. Home/hospital teaching is a short-term, itinerant instructional service with specific guidelines. Home/hospital teaching is provided to a student who is convalescing or receiving treatment at home, in a therapeutic center, or in a hospital. Requests must be submitted to the school guidance office for secondary students and the school principal for elementary students.

	Home > Inside PPSD > Health Office

	Health Office
	Contact Donna O’Connor, Nurse/Health Services Administrator, at 456-9317 or donna.o’connor@ppsd.org for more information on health and safety topics or if you have any questions/concerns.

	Immunization Requirements for Kindergarten to Grade 12
	Effective August 1, 2011, students must receive the following immunizations prior to their enrollment:
	– Kindergarten Health Requirements
	– Grade 1–3 Health Requirements
	– Grade 4–6 Health Requirements
	– Grade 7 Health Requirements
	– Grade 8–10 Health Requirements
	– Grade 11–12 Health Requirements

	School & Sports Physicals
	All students enrolling in the Providence Public School District are required to present an up-to-date written physical administered by a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse-practitioner if coming from outside the state of Rhode Island. Additionally, students entering the 7th grade are required to provide an updated physical (there is a six-month grace period to make one available). Prior to trying out for a school sport, all athletes must provide a sports physical administered by a doctor or physician’s assistant within 30 days prior to the start of the sports season. One sports physical per year is sufficient. Forms for the physicals may be obtained from the student’s coach or school nurse/teacher.

	Administration of Medications
	Parents must provide written authorization for school nurse/teachers to administer medicines and prescription medications. All forms must be completed by a physician with a diagnosis and directions for dispensing the medication. Authorization forms must also be signed by the parent/guardian. All medication is dispensed by the school nurse/teacher unless specified on the form that older students can self-medicate. Authorization forms may be obtained from the school nurse/teacher. All such medications must be turned in directly to the school’s nurse/teacher by the parent or guardian prior to the start of school.

	Dental Screening Programs
	Providence Public School students in grades K-5 receive dental screening annually. Students will be screened at least once between 6th and 10th grades. Students who have their own private dentist must show proof to be exempt from the school screening.

	Health Insurance
	At the start of school each year, Providence Schools makes school health and dental insurance available to each student enrolled in the district. A variety of options are provided to each parent/guardian for consideration.

	Hearing Tests
	School children in pre-kindergarten programs operated by public school districts, as well as school children in grades K-3, and any students new to a school without prior record of hearing screening shall be given a hearing screening courtesy of the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.

	Vision Tests
	Upon entering Kindergarten or within thirty (30) days of the start of the school year, the parent or guardian of each child shall present to the school nurse certification that the child has passed a vision screening within the previous twelve (12) months. The screening must have been conducted by a health care professional, licensed by the Department or a comprehensive eye examination must have been performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. Every student will be given a vision screening at least upon entry to school and in the 1st through 5th, 7th and 9th grades.

	Medical Conditions
	If your child has a chronic health condition, such as asthma or diabetes, you should notify the school nurse immediately so that proper procedures can be developed to assist your child. For more information, call your school principal or school counselor.

	Home & Hospital Instruction
	Home and hospital teaching services are provided to a student who is temporarily unable to attend school for certified medical or emotional reasons. Home/hospital teaching is a short-term, itinerant instructional service with specific guidelines. Home/hospital teaching is provided to a student who is convalescing or receiving treatment at home, in a therapeutic center, or in a hospital. Requests must be submitted to the school guidance office for secondary students and the school principal for elementary students.

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