SPS RN Team Newsletter

Summer 2023 Edition

Happy Summer!

What a school year! A big thank you to all of our partners in education including our school staff, students, families, principals and administrators, school committee, SPD, SFD, OASIS, and countless other community partners. Stoughton is one incredible village who shows up for each other in times of need and times of joy.

So many great things happened this year including the first annual Health Fair at SHS, the return of field trips, musicals and concerts, and countless other events that we haven't been able to fully experience over the past three years.

The school nurses are on summer break starting at the close of school on June 14th, returning to school full time on September 5th. They will be periodically checking emails and in over the summer to complete registrations and prep for the upcoming school year. Please send any completed physicals or new medical orders to the school nurse over the summer.

On behalf of the SPS RN Team, we wish our school community a restful and rejuvenating summer break.

Best,

Danielle Gallan, MSN-PH, RN

END OF THE YEAR REMINDERS FROM THE SCHOOL CLINICS

Please make arrangements with your school nurse to pick up your child's medication on the last day of school-June 14 (parent/guardian or designated adult). Please ensure that your student's doctor’s orders are up to date for camp/summer programs. And last but not least, doctor’s orders must be updated every year and provided to your school nurse for any medications and treatments provided in school. Any questions or concerns please reach out to your child's school nurse.

Physicals

Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, an in-person physical exam within one year before the start of school is required for any new students entering SPS. Students seeking to participate in athletics should have documentation of an in-person physical exam conducted annually prior to their participation in competitive athletics.

Please submit updated physical exams to your respective School Nurse for students entering kindergarten, 4th, 7th or 10th grades. At this time an in-person physical exam is required for students in these grades.

Mental Health Awareness

The SPS RN Team will continue to ensure that our families are receiving the most up to date mental health resources in our community.

Mental health is important for overall health and wellbeing for children and adults. It is ok to not be ok, and it is ok to ask for help. Help us end the stigma surrounding mental health.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health or substance use know that there is help and resources in the community. 24-hour help is available for those in mental health and substance use crisis by calling 877-302-1609 or by calling 988 from a cell phone. Additional supports can be found at the MMS and Mass THRIVE websites below. You can also search for local therapist and counseling services at the link below on Psychology Today by just entering in your zip code.

https://www.massmed.org/Patient-Care/Health-Topics/Mental-Health-and-Substance-Use/Mental-Health-and-Substance-Use-Resources-for-Parents-and-Caregivers/

https://massthrive.org/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us