Student Life

Health and Wellness

Dexter Southfield School acknowledges a strong link between a healthy child and an effective learner. A study by Child Trends DataBank in Washington, D.C., concluded that students who attend school regularly score higher on achievement tests than those who are frequently absent. Therefore, the primary objective of the school nurse is to intervene appropriately to keep students healthy, in class, and participating in all school activities whenever possible. Two full-time school nurses are on duty Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., to assess and treat ill and injured students, to administer medications and other physician-ordered treatments to students, to assist students with chronic disease management, and to ensure that all health interventions performed for the benefit of students are conducted within current Massachusetts state laws and Department of Public Health regulations.

If a student will be absent from School, parents are asked to call the Absence Reporting Line (617-751-3400) on each day of the absence by 8:00 a.m. and leave the following information:

Student’s full name
Student’s grade
The student’s teacher or homeroom teacher
Reason for absence
Your full name
Return phone number

Should your child be ill, please also explain the exact symptoms your child is experiencing, especially a fever. Please call the Absence Reporting Line each day your child is absent.