Health & Wellness

Students are required to be vaccinated against certain diseases in Rhode Island. Click here for a list of required immunizations. These requirements are based on recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and healthcare providers in Rhode Island. 

Lincoln is committed to the well-being of every student. We work hard to lay the groundwork for students to develop the social, emotional, physical knowledge and skills to make healthy choices that sustain a well-balanced lifestyle.

The Health Center is located on the garden level of the Middle School. Diane Murphy, School Nurse, and Jessie Lund, School Psychologist, work closely together to support the health care needs of all students.

As always, Lincoln's health care providers are both available to the community by phone or appointment to answer any questions.

Illness

If a student becomes ill at school, she must visit the school nurse to be dismissed. The nurse will then contact a parent to make arrangements for the student to be picked up in a timely manner. If we are unable to reach the parents, we will call the person listed as the “emergency contact” in the portal. If a student has driven to school and becomes ill, a parent’s permission must be obtained before Lincoln School will allow the student to drive home.

Cough and Cold Symptoms

If your child is experiencing discomfort that would interfere with his or her school performance, please keep them home until they are able to resume normal activity. If there is a prolonged cough, with or without fever, consult your physician.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

This condition is easily spread by direct contact with discharge from the infected eye (s). Students will be excluded when eyes are inflamed and draining. Prescribed treatment is often antibiotics. Your physician will tell you when it is appropriate for your child to return to school.

Fever and the “24 hour rule”

A temperature greater than 100.4 is considered a fever. If a student has a fever, we request they stay home from school, and do not return until they have been fever free, without the aid of medication, for 24 hours. If a student develops a fever during the school day, it is required that they be picked up ASAP.

Vomiting & Diarrhea and the “24 hour rule”

Like fevers, vomiting and diarrhea can indicate a contagious illness, and require the student remain at home. Students may return to school, when they have gone 24 hours without an episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea, without the aid of any medication. If a student becomes ill during the school day with intestinal symptoms, they will be sent home.

Students with Chronic illness

If a student has a chronic illness which could require care or medication during school hours, please call the school nurse to discuss specifics. Lincoln School will work with parents and students to provide a safe environment for all. If a student's condition is such that extra care might be needed during the day or during overnight field trips where the nurse will not be present, it may be necessary to have a parent assist with student care. These instances will be decided on a case by case basis.

Other conditions requiring extended absence

If a student requires long term treatment for a physical or mental condition, which involves an absence of five days or more, the student's advisor and the Dean of Students will work with the family to institute a medical leave. A doctor's note and/or more extensive communication with outside providers is needed to provide academic accommodation and a plan for re-entry.

Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, the supervising adult and/or nurse will follow appropriate emergency procedures (described below), notify parents, and file a written report. It is essential for parents to keep current contact information up to date in the portal with daytime telephone numbers and emergency contact persons.

Emergency Procedures

In all emergencies, we will immediately try to reach parents. In extreme emergencies, 911 will be called concurrently. If we cannot reach either parent, we will call the emergency contacts designated by the parents in the portal. In the event we cannot reach this person, we will contact the child's physician. If emergency transport is necessary a child will always be accompanied by an adult.

Lincoln School recognizes that food allergies, in some instances, may be severe and, even occasionally, life threatening. The foods most likely to cause allergic reactions are peanuts, tree nuts (almond, Brazil nut, cashew, chestnut, filbert/hazelnut, macadamia nut, pecan, pine nut, pistachio, walnut), dairy products, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Although most food allergies produce symptoms that are uncomfortable, persons with food allergies can suffer serious or life-threatening reactions.

Understanding and managing the risks of serious food allergies are necessary to provide a safe educational environment. Lincoln School is committed to working with students, parents, and healthcare professionals to implement safeguards that minimize the risks related to students’ food allergies and to respond appropriately in the event of students’ allergic reactions both on-campus and off campus. However, the School cannot guarantee that a student will never experience an allergy-related reaction on this campus or at a school-sponsored activity. Therefore, the ultimate responsibility for food allergy risk reduction lies with the student and her parents/guardians.

Family’s Responsibility

• Promptly notify the School of the child’s allergies once they are known.

• Submit written medical documentation pertaining to the allergy (including the appropriate Allergy Action Plan), instructions, and medications as directed by the child’s physician.

• Supply the School with properly labeled medication and replace the medications after use or upon expiration.

• Submit emergency contact information.

• Educate the child about how to manage her allergy at school, including, but not limited to, identifying “safe foods” by reviewing Lincoln School’s weekly lunch menu together, and contacting the food service director for ingredient listings. If parents are uncertain about possible exposure to allergy-causing foods, they should provide meals or snacks for their child.

• Debrief with School staff, the child’s physician, and the child (if appropriate) after an allergic reaction has occurred.

School’s Responsibility

• Review health records submitted by parents.

• Include food-allergic students in school activities.

• Participate, together with the parents and physician, in the determination as to whether the student will carry her own epinephrine.

If it is determined in the opinion of the student’s parents and physician that the student should not carry her own epinephrine, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, the School shall properly store the student’s epinephrine in an easily accessible, secure location central to designated School personnel.

• Maintain an emergency supply of epinephrine on campus and in first aid kits for treatment of an anaphylactic response during off-campus activities.

• Work with its food service vendor to provide a variety of foods in the dining hall that all students may enjoy. In the case of a student with multiple or unusual allergies, however, the School may require the student or family to provide lunch or snacks, if necessary for the student’s safety.

• Inform faculty and staff who have routine contact with a food-allergic student of the student’s food allergy.

• Educate faculty and staff on campus to recognize signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and to respond appropriately, as necessary.

• Discuss food allergy management with families during on-campus and off-campus functions, such as field trips and retreats.

• Educate students to refrain from sharing foods.

Student’s Responsibility

• Refrain from sharing food.

• Not ingest anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen.

• Be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions based on their developmental level.

• Notify an adult immediately if they eat something they believe may contain the food that they are allergic to or if they notice any symptom of an allergic reaction.

• If appropriate, based on the opinion of the student’s parents and physician and in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, carry epinephrine with her.

Lincoln is a peanut/tree nut “aware” environment. This includes, but is not limited to the following:

• We do not serve anything in the dining room that contains nuts in any form, nor do we use any kind of nut oil in cooking.
• We do not allow students or faculty/staff to bring peanuts, tree nuts or products containing nuts to school.
• If the packaging of an item clearly states “may contain traces of peanuts or tree nuts” it is NOT allowed.
• Products with packaging that states “manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts/tree nuts” or “made on equipment that also processes peanuts or tree nuts” (or similar wording) are permitted.
• We instruct students in the Lower School that they may not share food.

Any student who has a diagnosis of asthma and uses an inhaler or has an allergy with a prescription for an epi pen: Lincoln School requires that you keep an inhaler and/or epi-pen on school premises, and also requires a doctor's order for those medications be kept on file in the health office.

Even if the epi-pen or inhaler is carried by the student, and not kept in the nurse's office, the school requires that a doctor's order for the medication be on file in the health office. Doctor's orders also need to be submitted yearly. If you have not yet supplied the school with an updated doctor's order for your child's epi-pen or inhaler, please do so as soon as possible.

If these medications are to be kept in the nurses office, please send them in their original prescription boxes, with the doctor's order. In case of food allergy, a Food Allergy Action Plan (found in Magnus), must be completed by the student's physician.

All medications kept in the nurses office, need to be picked up at the end of the school year. Any inhalers/epi-pens left in the nurses office over the summer, will be discarded, so please, make sure you pick these medications up at the end of the year.

As always, if you have questions or concerns about this, or any other health policy, feel free to contact the school nurse, 331-9696, ext 3122.

All medications must be kept in the Health Center and stored by the nurse. Medication includes any over-the-counter medications, homeopathic treatments/preparations, and/or prescription medication. A Medication Authorization form (found in Magnus) must accompany any medication that is administered during the school day. Students may carry Epi-Pens and inhalers as a first-line emergency intervention if indicated by the physician. 

If your student requires a daily medication that will need to be taken during a day field trip, or an overnight trip:

• A Field Trip Medication Authorization Form (sent out before any overnight field trip) or Medication Authorization Form (found in Magnus) must be completed if medications will be sent with your daughter on a field trip. This form, and the medication, must be delivered to the school nurse, at least two days prior to the trip.

• If the daily medication is a prescription med, and if there is not already a copy of the doctor’s order for the prescription on file in the school, please supply a copy of that order with the medication.

• Medication must be supplied in its original prescription bottle.

• Please send in only the amount that will be needed during the trip, plus one or two extra, in case of loss.

• If the medication is an over the counter variety, please send it in the original packaging, with instructions.

• Prescription medications in the original prescription bottle, and over the counter daily meds, in their original packaging, must be put in a ziplock bag, clearly labeled with the student’s name, grade and birthdate.

• Please DO NOT pour loose pills into a ziplock bag and send to school. These will not be identifiable, and will not be administered to your child.

• Please DO NOT send bottles of Ibuprofen or Tylenol with your daughter. The chaperones will have a supply of Ibuprofen and Tylenol should your daughter unexpectedly need a pain reliever and/or fever reducer on the trip. You will be called for permission to administer these to your daughter, unless we have already been given permission via the OTC Medication Form found in Magnus. 

• If the medication being sent is an EPI PEN, or an asthma inhaler, which is usually self carried by your daughter, it is still necessary to complete the Field Trip Medication Authorization Form.

Please be aware that there will not be a nurse, or medical personnel on the trip, so your daughter will be supervised by a teacher, while taking the medication herself. All medications will be kept by the chaperones. No students will be allowed to carry medications (with the possible exception of asthma inhalers, or Epi Pens.) If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact the school nurse. 401-331-9696, ext 3122.

Lincoln School recognizes the importance of identifying students who have suffered a concussion. Implementation of physical and cognitive rest surrounding school activities is vital to the student's recovery. The Upper and Middle School Dean of Students, along with the rest of the Health Team manage these situations. If your child has been diagnosed with a concussion, please contact the Lincoln School Nurse, and your child's advisor for assistance. Accommodations will be put in place per physicians' orders.

Head lice are a common problem for children in schools and child care. Anyone can get head lice. Head lice are not a sign of uncleanliness, and head lice do not spread disease. They can be a time consuming nuisance, and one that should be dealt with as quickly as possible. Your child will not be excluded from school because of head lice, but we do request you address the issue by having them treated, either at home, or through a service, as soon as they are discovered.

Head Lice Procedures

• If you discover your child has head lice, please call or e-mail the school nurse as soon as possible. The nurse can assist you with information and resources. 331-9696 ext. 3122
• An e-mail containing information and links on how to address and prevent further occurrences will be sent home to the involved classes. No student is ever identified during this process.
• If requested by the parent of the child with head lice, that child’s head will be checked 7 days after initial treatment, and again 1 week later, until clear.
• If you receive an email regarding lice in your child’s classroom, please check your child’s head that day, and again every 2 days for 2 weeks. If you aren’t sure how to do this, or what to look for, there are excellent websites with instructions to use for reference, (please see below) or you can call the school nurse for help.
• Fighting head lice can take some time. It requires special shampoos and careful combing of the hair with a very fine-toothed comb (such as "The Terminator Comb" as seen HERE available online or at Target) made for the removal of “nits”, the eggs attached to the hair shaft. Please feel free to contact the nurse, your pediatrician, or your pharmacist for help in choosing a product. Some of these products are quite powerful and target only the live lice, while others target all stages of the lice life cycle.

Once a Week, Take a Peek

The “Once a week, Take a peek” campaign is aimed at helping parents understand that head lice are best dealt with proactively, by doing head checks on children once a week, through the entire year. There is great information on this UK based website, HERE.

Head Lice Resources

How to Perform a Head Check for Head Lice

How to Check your Child for Head Lice

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Head Lice for Parents

Bernadette's Lice Removal Center

Honeycombers:

Honeycombers offers natural and organic (non-pesticide) salon-quality lice treatment products along with an informative blog.

Their innovative prevention products, including shampoo, conditioner, styling gel and stay-away spray, are available locally at Coiffurium hair salon in addition to online at the link below:

http://www.honeycombers.com

Updated, September 2022

Updated March 16, 2024

Our COVID-19 response is informed by local, state and national public health guidance and data. The health and safety of our students, employees and their families are our highest priority. The CDC and RIDOH recently updated the COVID-19/Respiratory Virus guidance. Effective immediately, Lincoln School will follow these updated recommendations. Please see the tabs below for more specific information on prevention, testing, treatment, and risk factors from the RIDOH website. 

For questions about our policies, please contact Diane Murphy, our school nurse at dmurphy@lincolnschool.org.

Prevent

Test

Treat

Risk Factors 

Risk Factors - Extra Precautions for People with Certain Medical Conditions

Gun Safety and Suicide Prevention Materials

In accordance with Rhode Island State Law S2202, all school districts are required to annually distribute informational flyers to all enrolled students and their families regarding the importance of secure firearm storage, associated risks, state storage laws, and available suicide prevention and behavioral health resources.

Attached below are multilingual flyers (English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French) developed by the Rhode Island Departments of Health and Rhode Island Department of Education to support compliance with this requirement. The Rhode Island full legislation can be found here: S2202.pdf.

Secure Storage Suicide Prevention Other Resources RIDE_RIDOH_Onepager_English

Secure Storage Suicide Prevention Other Resources RIDE_RIDOH_Onepager_Spanish

Secure Storage Suicide Prevention Other Resources RIDE_RIDOH_Onepager_French

Secure Storage Suicide Prevention Other Resources RIDE_RIDOH_Onepager_Portuguese

• Secure Storage Information and Awareness from RIDE/RIDOH:

WARNING: Access to a firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide, death during domestic violence disputes, and the unintentional death of children, household members, or others. If you or a loved one is experiencing distress and/or depression, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline or text "HOME" to 741741.

Secure firearm storage is the law in Rhode Island. Rhode Island state law requires gun owners to securely store their firearms any time the firearms are not in their possession or control and to securely store firearms in premises under their control where a child or person prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms is likely to gain access to them. Failure to securely firearms as required by law may result in fines and/or criminal prosecution.