School Health Services & Screenings

There is a registered nurse in each of the Norwood Public Schools, there is an additional registered nurse at the Coakley Middle School and Norwood High School. District Interim Nurse Leader is Tova Sperber, MSN, BSN, RN. She may be reached by calling 781-440-5843 or by email at tsperber@norwood.k12.ma.us.

School physician Dr. Jeremy Slosberg oversees the school health services programs and consults with the school nurses as needed. Dr. Slosberg is a pediatrician at Atrius Health Norwood located at 1177 Providence Highway, Norwood. He is currently accepting new patients, appointments may be made by calling 781-278-5590.

On a daily basis the school nurses:

1. Insure that the Norwood Public Schools are in compliance with Massachusetts General Laws mandating that student's immunizations are up to date; and that students have physical examinations in grades kindergarten, 4, 7, 10 and before participating in any high school athletic programs. 
2. Provide skilled nursing care, health assessment, management and counselling for chronic, acute and emergency health concerns of students, families and staff. 
3. Administer and monitor responses to physician ordered medications that must be given to students during the school day.
4. Act as a resource for health education, information and referrals for staff, parents and students.

Health Screenings

The Norwood School Nurses conduct many screenings each year across all schools.  We strive to maximize privacy and confidentiality and to treat each student with respect during each screen.  Screenings are a tool used for referral for further care and should not be considered diagnostic. 

The following school screenings are mandated by Massachusetts state law (M.G.L.  c.71, s.57 and 105 CMR 200.000) and executed according to the following schedule:

• Vision: Screening is conducted annually from pre-k through grade 5, and in grades 7 and 10
• Hearing: Screening is conducted in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10
• Growth: Heights and weights are measured and BMI is calculated for students in  grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. Aggregate data reported to the state as mandated.  Individual student data is not reported but is recorded in the confidential  student health record.
• Postural: Screening is conducted for all students in grades 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. This screen is conducted with full privacy and does require each student to remove their shirt (undergarments stay on.)
• SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment): each year for students in grades 7 and 9.  See below for more information on SBIRT

Caregivers (parent/guardian) will be contacted if follow-up for vision, hearing, or postural screening is recommended.  BMI data is available by caregiver request.

Per the state mandates, all students will be screened unless opted out by a caregiver.  Caregivers may opt their student out of any screening.  Opt-outs must be submitted annually to the School Nurse. 

SBIRT:
In compliance with Massachusetts state law, Norwood Public Schools conducts SBIRT screening (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) for all 7th and 9th grade students. The purpose of SBIRT screening is to offer conversation and information to help prevent students from starting to use alcohol, marijuana or other drugs, or to intervene early in substance use. Student screening sessions will be brief, approximately 5 minutes, and conducted confidentially and privately in a one-to-one meeting with the school nurse or counselor. Students who are not using substances will have their healthy choices reinforced. The nurse or school counselor will provide feedback or referral for further evaluation to students who report using substances, or are at risk for future substance use. All students will receive some educational material and a resource list at the time of the screening. Results of the SBIRT screening will not be included in the student’s school record.