HEALTH SERVICES 

Nurse

Definition of School Nursing

“School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success.” (National Association of School Nursing, NASN) (02/2017)

Mission Statement

The Dracut Public School nurses are committed to ensuring the health and safety of all our students, enabling them to learn and succeed. Our mission is to cultivate a community of positive growth, development and education by providing a supportive, understanding and safe environment that promotes lifelong health and wellness.  We advocate and collaborate for our student and family community and use evidenced-based practice to reduce health related barriers to learning, improving the educational achievements of our students. 

School Health Program

Dracut Public School nurses are on duty during academic school day hours to provide first aid, nursing care for illness, accidents and other medical situations. In addition, the school nurses assist in promoting good health and maintaining a healthy, safe environment for staff and students.

It is the responsibility of the parents to inform the nurse of chronic illness and provide appropriate equipment for treatments and medications. It is also the responsibility of the parents to notify the school nurse annually and as need of any condition that your child has which might precipitate an emergency situation (e.g., allergies to food, medication, insect bites, etc., asthma, diabetes, seizures, cardiac history, etc.

For any changes in a student’s medical condition, an updated medical note from the specialist providing care is required.

Dracut is a member of the GLHA. Great free resources are available to all. Please check out the GLHA website for more information.

GLHA

NURSE STAFF CONTACTS

Betsy Kusa, RN

Head/Lead Nurse

bkusa@dracutps.org

978-957-2660 x8037

Chelsea Weiss, RN

Brookside Elementary

cweiss@dracutps.org

978-957-0716 x3005

Bernadine Perrotta, RN

Campbell Elementary

bperrotta@dracutps.org

978-459-6186 x6002

Katherine Goudreau, RN

Englesby Elementary

kgoudreau@dracutps.org

978-957-9745 x4003

Janice Cunha, RN

Greenmont Elementary

jcunha@dracutps.org

978-453-1797 x5003

Michelle Reppucci, RN

Richardson Middle School

mreppucci@dracutps.org

978-957-3330 x2101

Rebecca Schmidt, RN

Richardson Middle School

rschmidt@dracutps.org

978-957-3330 x2001

Erin Shackelford, RN

Dracut High School

eshackelford@dracutps.org

978-957-1500 x1438

NOROVIRUS - THE STOMACH BUG

norovirus

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Norovirus infection causes gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). This leads to diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Norovirus illness is often called by other names, such as food poisoning and stomach flu. If present on a person or surface during the preparation of food, Noroviruses can cause food poisoning, as can other germs and chemicals. Norovirus illness is not related to the flu (influenza). Though they share some of the same symptoms, the flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus.

Please click on the link below for Key Facts:

KeyFacts: Norovirus

You may as well visit CDC’s Norovirus Web site at www.cdc.gov/norovirus for more information.

Posted on: January 2, 2025 -12:15 PM