"School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success and lifelong achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and/or potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy and learning."

......National Association of School Nurses 1999

Belmont Public Schools employ full-time registered nurses in all 6 schools: Burbank, Butler, Wellington and Winn Brook Elementary Schools, Chenery Middle School and Belmont High School. Dr. Janet Antonioni, of Beaver Brook Pediatrics, Belmont’s School Physician, provides consultation and guidance to the school nurses throughout the year (http://beaverbrookpeds.com).

Health services provided within the Comprehensive School Health Program include:

• Monitoring compliance with state immunization guidelines
• Identification and prevention of the spread of disease
• Administration of medication
• Annual vision and hearing screening in grades K – 8; one grade 9 – 12
• Annual postural screening in grades in grades 5 – 9
• Case management services, i.e., implementation of individual health care plans for students with health concerns
• First aid assessment and treatment
• Injury and Illness assessment and treatment
• Referral / counseling / guidance
• Promotion of healthy life-style choices