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Health and Sickness

We’re committed to providing a healthy, safe learning environment where every student can thrive. This page includes important information about required immunizations and physical examinations for school attendance, health screening requirements, and guidance on when your child should stay home to help protect the health of our entire school community.

When to Stay Home From School

If your student has been diagnosed by a healthcare provider with any contagious conditions (COVID-19, flu, hand-foot-mouth disease, Molluscum, stomach bug/gastroenteritis, strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), Fifth disease, lice, & ringworm), please notify your school nurse.

Thank you for helping to keep all students and staff in the DCRSD community healthy!

DCRSD Recommended Guidelines for Staying Home With Illness

  • Fever. A student should remain home with a fever greater than 100°F.The student can return to school after he/she has been fever free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin).
  • Vomiting/Diarrhea. A student with diarrhea and /or vomiting should stay at home and return to school only after being symptom-free for 24 hours, unless otherwise specified by the school nurse or healthcare provider.
  • Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye). A student that has been diagnosed by a physician with conjunctivitis– the student may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication was administered.
  • Strep Throat. A student that has been diagnosed by a physician with strep throat– the student may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication was administered and is fever free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or Motrin).
  • Rashes. Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A student with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a healthcare provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the student’s return to school.
  • Colds. Consider keeping your student at home if he/she is experiencing discomfort from cold symptoms, such as a frequent/persistent cough, continuous runny nose, ear/sinus pain, and/or body aches/fatigue.

DCRSD Immunizations/Physical Requirements

Physical examinations are required for grades K, 3, 7 & 10. Documentation of any exemption to immunizations must be renewed annually at the beginning of the school year.

Preschool

  • 1-4 doses of HIB
  • 4 doses of DTap
  • 3 doses of Polio
  • 3 doses of Hepatitis B
  • 1 dose of MMR
  • 1 dose of Varicella

Grades K-6

  • 5 doses of DTap
  • 4 doses of Polio
  • 3 doses of Hepatitis B
  • 2 doses MMR
  • 2 doses Varicella
  • Grade 7-12
  • 1 dose of Tdap
  • 4 doses of Polio
  • 3 doses of Hepatitis B
  • 2 doses of MMR
  • 2 doses of Varicella or physician documented case of chickenpox disease

Grade 7

  • 1 dose of Meningococcal Vaccine [MCV4]

Grade 11

  • 2nd dose of Meningococcal Vaccine [MCV4] (at age 16)

Free Local Health Clinic Information

Free clinics are non-profit or charitable organizations offering free or low-cost basic care, usually to uninsured or low-income individuals. If you are need of access to a free local health clinic, the following is a list of local clinic in the Worcester County area. For more information on the clinics below, click the download button to view or print a PDF of the local free health clinics in our area. 

Click here to dowload a flyer for free local health Cinics

  1. ST. ANNE'S CHURCH - 130 BOSTON TURNPIKE (RTE 9) SHREWSBURY, MA | (508) 757-5254
  2. ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH - 228 LINCOLN ST. WORCESTER, MA | (508) 798-6818
  3. EPWORTH METHODIST CHURCH - 64 SALISBURY ST. WORCESTER, MA | (508) 752-2376
  4. RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE - COMES TO NEIGHBORHOODS IN WORCESTER, MA | (508) 334-6073 FOR LOCATIONS
  5. WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH - 114 MAIN ST WORCESTER, MA | (508) 799-4191
  6. FIRST UNITED METHODIST - 34 FELTON ST HUDSON, MA (508) 562-2932