Holly McCalla, Business Manager                            

(T) 860-434-7238
(F) 860-434-9959
(E) mccallah@region18.org

Business Office Forms can be found here.

Facilities Department

49 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371
(T) 860-434-8182
(F) 860-434-4412 or 4413

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

John Rhodes
Director of Facilities and Technology
Email: rhodesj@region18.org

Ronald Turner (starts March 2, 2020)
Director of Facilities and Technology
Email: turnerr@region18.org

Glenn Fergione
Assistant Director of Facilities
Email: fergioneg@region18.org

Marcia Welsh
Secretary
Email: welshm@region18.org

HEALTH OFFICE / HEALTH SERVICES

Ellen Maus, Nurse Coordinator
860-434-1651 x1004
Email: mause@region18.org

Each school has a registered nurse on duty during school hours to attend to student health needs. First aid measures for illness and injury occurring in school will be performed according to the written standing orders approved and signed by our medical advisor. Treatment for injuries occurring at home and off school premises are the responsibility of the parent/guardian and family physician.

At the start of each school year or upon school entry, an updated “Health Services/Emergency Information” form is required from each student. This annual update provides your child’s school with contact information and instructions in case of illness or injury during school hours. It requests names and contact phone numbers of other people who have agreed to be contacted if you are unavailable. It is the responsibility of the parent to arrange for pick-up of the student if deemed appropriate by the school nurse or administration. Your signature at the bottom of the form authorizes release of your child to the parties indicated, emergency medical transport and treatment, and permits information about your child to be shared by the school nurse with appropriate staff on a need to know basis.

State regulations require each child to be immunized according to the current immunization requirements. Proof of immunizations is to be provided to the health office prior to admission to school. The State also requires a physical examination for students in Pre-K or K, Grade 6, and Grade 9. Kindergarten, Grade 6, and Grade 9 student physicals are to be recorded on the blue State of Connecticut Health Assessment Record, and Pre-K physicals are to be recorded on the yellow Pre-K Health Assessment form. All mandatory (*) screening items are to be completed by the physician’s office. The front page is to be completed by the parent/guardian, and the completed form is to be given to the health office. New entrants from within the United States are to submit a school entry physical form from their previous school(s) that addresses the screening items that are required in District 18. New entrants from outside of the United States must present a recent physical examination dated by a U.S. licensed physician within 12 months of entry.

Annual screenings are conducted on selected grades according to state regulations, and you will be notified in advance if your child will be screened. Vision screening is conducted annually in grades K-6 and 9, hearing screening in grades K-3, 5, and 8, and scoliosis screening in grades 5 through 9. Parents/guardians will receive a written physician referral if their child has a possible deficit in one or more of these screenings.

A STUDENT SHOULD REMAIN AT HOME FROM SCHOOL WITH THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS OF COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS OR DISEASE

• A temperature of 100 degrees or greater. Students should be fever-free without use of a fever-reducing medication for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea. Students should remain at home until they have stopped vomiting for at least 24 hours and are able to tolerate fluids.

• Sore throat that is accompanied by fatigue, body aches, and fever.

• A persistent/disruptive cough lasting for more than a few days or with a fever.

• Live or evidence of pediculosis (head lice) found in the hair.

• Eye discomfort with itching, redness, pain, and discharge.

• Skin rash suggestive of a communicable disease.

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

State regulations and Board of Education policy mandate that medication shall be administered to students during school hours only when it is not possible to achieve the desired effects by administering the medication at home. If medication administration of prescribed or over the counter medication is necessary during school hours or school activities, the following criteria must be met:

• A medication authorization form for each medication is to be completed by the physician, dentist, APRN, or PA with written authorization by the parent/guardian and is to be kept on file in the health office. Medication authorization forms are available online at the district website, from the school health office, or from your child’s physician. The forms are to be renewed annually.

• The medication must be in its original container, properly labeled with the student’s name, medication name, time of administration, dosage, and not more than a 90-day supply. Any remaining medication is to be picked up at the close of the school year.

• Self-administration of medications for treatment of asthma and life-threatening allergies are appropriate when approved by the physician, parent, and school nurse.

• All medication, except those approved for transport by students for self-administration, shall be delivered to the school by the parent or other responsible adult and shall be received by the school nurse or, in her absence, the principal or designee.

• All medication, except for those that are approved for self-administration, will be administered by the nurse or trained staff.

• Students may not carry or maintain any unauthorized or unidentified medication in school or on the school bus.

USE OF COUGH DROPS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Non-medicated cough drops/throat lozenges will be administered by the school nurse with written permission from the parent. Medicated cough drops (includes those with menthol) require a physician and parent authorization.

All cough drops/throat lozenges should be brought to the health office clearly labeled with the student’s name and brought in by the parent/guardian. Students will be monitored by a school nurse or designee while the product is being administered.

MEDICAL EXCLUSION FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS

If a student is ill or injured and unable to participate in PE class, a parent may submit a written excuse that will be accepted for a maximum of two PE classes. Students who require a longer exclusion from PE must have a physician’s note excluding them from PE class that includes date parameters of a maximum of six weeks. Students requiring additional exclusion time will be required to obtain a written extension time from their physician.

MEDICATION REGULATION REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE NO PRIOR HISTORY OF ANAPHYLAXIS

Medication regulations require Connecticut schools to designate and train voluntary nonmedical qualified staff to administer emergency epinephrine in cartridge injectors (epipens) to students who have not been previously identified by a physician as having a severe allergy. It authorizes the emergency use of epipens by nonmedical staff if the school nurse is not present or available during the school day hours on school grounds. The professionals will meet annual training requirements. Any parent or guardian who does NOT want epinephrine administered to their child who has NO PREVIOUS HISTORY OR DIAGNOSIS in the event of a severe allergic reaction must submit a letter in writing to the school nurse.

SPECIAL SERVICES

49 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371
(T) 860-434-0487
(F) 860-434-9959

Melissa Dougherty 
Director of Special Services
Email: doughertym@region18.org

Jennifer Frazier
Secretary 
Email: frazierj@region18.org

Tracy Pompano
Secretary 
Email: pompanot@region18.org
 

Special Services offered by the Lyme-Old Lyme Public Schools

Preschool Program

Preschool Program Family Handbook

Public Notices

Child Find

If you have a child between the ages of 3 and 5 and have concerns about his or her development in areas such as language, motor skills, cognition, social/emotional, or self-help skills, the Lyme-Old Lyme Preschool Team can be contacted for information, consultation, screening or evaluation. Questions and concerns can be directed to Myra Gipstein at 860-434-0487 or 860-434-7238.

Peer Visits - Preschool Program Scheduling Visits

The Lyme-Old Lyme Preschool is a tuition free program designed for identified special education students and selected peers. This program serves preschool age children in the communities of Lyme and Old Lyme. 

If you are interested in having your 3-year-old child participate in the Lyme-Old Lyme Special Needs Preschool as a peer during the 2020-2021 school year, visits are being scheduled for March 13, 2020. Children three years old by September 1, 2020 are welcome to participate in a spring peer visit. 

Peer selection is lottery-based, with consideration for age and gender balance in each preschool class. Please contact Tracy Pompano or Jennifer Frazier at Center School (860-434-0487) for more information.

If your child will be four years old by January 1, 2021, please visit the Region 18 website (https://centerschool.region18.org/preschool) for information regarding the Preschool Program for 4 year olds.

Other Special Education Information

Connecticut Parent Information and Resource Center brochure

Connecticut State Department of Education brochure entitled, "Steps to Protect a Child's Right to Special Education: Procedural Safeguards"

Connecticut State Department of Education brochure entitled, "Parental Notification of the Laws Relating to the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in the Public Schools"

Connecticut State Department of Education's web site and their brochure entitled "A Parent's Guide to Special Education in Connecticut"

Transition Bill of Rights for parents of students receiving special education services

"Building A Bridge from School to Adult Life" (a handbook for students and family members to help with preparation for life after high school)

Do you have questions about your child's learning? Want to connect with other families? Need information about special education? View a helpful brochure that is designed to provide families with access to organizational resources that can provide information regarding the rights of parents and students as contained in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

VISION STATEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

Beginning in kindergarten and continuing throughout middle school, all students will regularly and effectively utilize technology to research, gather, organize and communicate ideas and data. By the end of eighth grade, all students will be technologically literate according to national standards so that they are prepared to utilize all aspects of technology independently, creatively and productively. All students and staff will look to technology to solve problems, enhance learning, express ideas creatively and open new worlds of communication.

TECHNOLOGY REPORT TO BOARD OF EDUCATION JANUARY 2019