Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District

Immunizations
 All students attending AWRSD must provide a Certificate of Immunization signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant.  You can find the MA DPH State Guidelines at DPH Immunization Guidelines 2025-2026.

Students who are not immunized must submit one of the following on an annual basis:

• Medical Exemption: A statement from the student’s healthcare provider specifying the medical contraindication to the vaccine.
• Religious Exemption: A written statement from the parent or guardian indicating that the required vaccination conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs.
   

For detailed requirements, please refer to the Massachusetts School Immunization Requirements, 2025–2026.

Note: AWRSD school nurses are required to report annual school vaccination rates to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Physical Examinations
 AWRSD follows the Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines regarding required physical examinations. The following students must provide a physical examination by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant:

• Students entering the district, completed within one year prior to or 30 days after entry.
• Students transferring from another school.
• Students entering grades K, 4, 7, and 10.
• Students under 16 and over 14 years of age requesting employment certificates.
• Students participating in competitive athletics, prior to participation and annually thereafter.

All required documentation must be submitted to the school nurse to ensure compliance with state regulations and to support the health and safety of all students.

Students are not permitted to use personal phones to contact parents or guardians for early dismissal. The school nurse’s office, staffed with a full-time nurse, is responsible for assessing any student who is feeling unwell. If a student requires dismissal for health reasons, the nurse will notify the parent or guardian directly to coordinate the student’s safe release from school.

If your student is absent, please contact the school directly to report the absence.  If it has been more than three consecutive days and they are out for an illness and/or injury, please contact your school nurse.

Meetinghouse School:   978-874-0163 ext.1 or email mhsoffice@awrsd.org.

Westminster Elementary School   978-874-2043 ext.1 or email WESOffice@awrsd.org

John R. Briggs School:   978-827-5750 ext.3 or email JRBOffice@awrsd.org

Overlook Middle School:   978-827-1425 ext.1

Oakmont High School:   978-827-5907 ext.1

The Department of Public Health requires the following documentation in order to safely administer medication to your student, including Over-the-Counter medication:

• A written order from a Licensed Prescriber at the beginning of each calendar school year or with a medication change.  This can be on the Medication Order and Legal Guardian Consent Form or a fax to your school nurse from the prescriber.
• A Legal Guardian Consent Form. 
• Medication must be in the original labeled pharmacy container with the label matching the prescribers order.
• Medication must be brought to school by a responsible adult.  Students cannot carry medication on school grounds without meeting all established criteria and obtaining approval in accordance with AWRSD policy..  Please contact your school nurse for further information.
• If short-term antibiotic medication (10 days or less) is to be administered during the school day, the original pharmacy container may be used as the written order from the health care provider.  A written consent form signed by the parent/guardian is required.

Criteria for Exclusion from School:
Students should remain at home under the following circumstances:

• Inability to Participate: The student is unable to fully engage in school activities or classes for the duration of the school day due to illness.
• Fever: The student has had a fever exceeding 100°F (37.8°C) within the past 24 hours. Students may return to school only after being fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: The student has experienced vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours.
• Strep Throat: The student has been diagnosed with strep throat and has not completed at least 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.
• Contagious Conditions or Unknown Rashes: The student has a contagious illness or a rash of unknown origin.

The following represents the symptoms that caregivers are asked to monitor in students and staff prior to attending school:

• Fever of 100.0°F or higher, chills, or shaking chills

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• New loss of taste or smell

• Muscle or body aches

• Cough (unrelated to a known chronic condition)

• Sore throat when accompanied by additional symptoms

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea 

• Headache when accompanied by additional symptoms

• Fatigue when accompanied by additional symptoms

Additional Information

• Schools should adhere to the Department of Public Health guidelines for the general population, available on the Commonwealth’s official website.

• If you are experiencing symptoms and receive a positive test for COVID-19 and/or influenza, please consult your healthcare provider regarding appropriate treatment options.

• Students who are feeling unwell should remain at home.

• All absences should be reported to the school’s designated absence line.

• Individuals may return to school or work once symptoms are improving and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

• For further questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse directly.

If your student experiences an injury or requires a hospital visit, please contact your school nurse prior to their return to school so we can discuss any necessary accommodations. A doctor’s note is required for excusal from Physical Education or for elevator access. Please also note that students should not return to school while taking narcotic pain medication.

Parents or guardians should contact the school nurse under the following circumstances:

1. Emergency Contact Information: Any changes to the student’s emergency contact information.
2. Changes in Health Status: Any change in the student’s health that requires medical accommodations at school.
3. Serious Illness or Medical Events: A recent serious illness, injury, surgery, or hospitalization.
4. Extended Medical Absence: The student has been absent for three or more consecutive days for medical reasons.
5. Restrictions from Sports or Physical Activity: The student is unable to participate in sports or physical activity for any period of time due to medical reasons.
6. Concussion: The student has been diagnosed with a concussion.
7. Contagious Illness: The student has been diagnosed with a contagious disease, including but not limited to whooping cough, strep throat, pinkeye, or lice.
8. Family or Personal Situations: Any family changes or other situations that may affect the student’s well-being or participation at school.

These guidelines help ensure that the school can provide appropriate support and maintain a safe and healthy environment for all students.

Massachusetts requires public schools to conduct annual health screenings to support student well-being. These screenings are mandated by state law (M.G.L. c.71, §57) and are not a substitute for regular medical care from a primary provider.

Required Screenings:

• Vision: Grades K–5, 7, 10, and all new entrants
• Hearing: Grades K–2, 3, 7, 10
• Height/Weight (BMI): Grades 1, 4, 7, 10
• Postural (Scoliosis): Grades 5–9
• SBIRT (Substance Use Screening): Grades 8 and10
• Physical Exams: Upon school entry and every 3–4 years thereafter. Yearly for sports participation.

Key Points

• Parental Opt-Out: Parents/guardians may submit a written request each year to exclude their child from any specific screening.
• Purpose: Screenings help identify potential concerns that may require follow-up with a healthcare provider.
• Oversight: Requirements are set by Massachusetts General Law and Department of Public Health regulations.

How to Opt Out: 

Parent Opt-Out are listed on the Emergency Health Form for Scolisosis, BMI and SBIRT Screening. You may also submit a written request to your child’s school nurse each year indicating which screenings you do not want your child to participate in.

Welcome to the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District!
We are delighted to have your student join our community. The following are frequently asked questions regarding student health and medical information for enrollment.

1. My child takes medication. What documents are required for them to take it during the school day?

• A licensed prescriber’s order.
• A Medication Order and Parent Guardian Consent Form. The licensed prescriber may send an order on a separate form or sign the above document.
• A labeled pharmacy container with the label information matching the prescriber’s order. 
• Please send no more than 30 days’ supply of medication.
• MA DPH Guidelines require that a responsible adult transport all medication to and from school.  Students are not permitted to carry medication independently.

2. My child has a significant medical condition. Who should I notify at the school?

Please contact your child’s assigned school nurse first. If accommodations are required during the school day, the nurse will collaborate with you, your child, and relevant AWRSD staff to ensure educators have the necessary information to maintain your child’s safety and well-being in the classroom.

3. My child has a severe food allergy. Who else should I notify in addition to the school nurse?

AWRSD partners with Chartwell Food Services to provide nutritious meals to students. If your child has a severe food allergy, please notify:

Dennis Mueller, Food Service Director at dmueller@awrsd.org

This allows the food service team to implement appropriate precautions and communicate allergy information to relevant staff. We request that you notify Chartwell on an annual basis.

4. My child has a medical condition and I want the bus company to be aware. Who should I contact?

Please notify your school nurse and they will assist you in getting in touch with your student’s bus company.  

Alternatively, you may request that your school nurse notify NRT directly with your student’s diagnosis and any necessary accommodations.  Please fill out the Authorization for Release of Information and return to your school nurse.  

5. Can my student receive over-the-counter (OTC) medication at school?

Yes. Our school physician provides a general order for certain OTC medications at the beginning of each school year located on the Emergency & Health Record Form.  You will find a copy of this form located under AWRSD Forms and Downloads.  

The AWRSD Nursing Department, in collaboration with school and Chartwell Services, used the WellSAT assessment tool to evaluate the district’s policies and procedures in order to align them with state and federal guidelines for research-based best practices.  This was done according to the recommendations by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Public Health in accordance with Section 204 of Public Law 108-265; June 2004 and the 2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act.

In addition, the School Wellness Advisory Committee spent the 2024-2025 school year to revise the District Wellness Procedures.

AWRSD District Wellness Procedures

Local Urgent Care & Health Resources

Carewell Urgent Care – Fitchburg

Address: 380 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Phone: 978-696-3547
Online Check-In: Save Your Spot Online

Urgent Care Leominster

Address: 510 North Main Street, Leominster, MA 01453
Phone: 978-466-8820

Athol Hospital

Address: 2033 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331
Phone: 978-241-3511

Heywood Hospital

Address: 242 Green Street, Gardner, MA 01440
Phone: 978-632-3420

Clinical & Support Options (CSO) – Greater Gardner

Address: 205 School Street, Gardner, MA 01440
Phone: 978-488-8888