Health Center | Avon Old Farms | Boys Boarding High School in CT

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Caring for the Whole Person


We're committed to the whole-body/emotional health and well-being of each student at Avon Old Farms.

Our Health Center is a place of comfort: our experienced and nurturing medical professionals are trained to heal, guide, and educate students. The Health Center is staffed with the following licensed care-givers:

  • Nine registered nurses that provide 24/7 nursing coverage while school is in session, either in the office or on call.
  • A Medical Director who comes to campus three times a week to see students for illness or injuries occurring at school or during school related activities.
  • A team of licensed clinicians who provide students with counseling and psychological services to assist with their emotional well-being.  For more information on our counseling and psychological services click on Emotional Wellbeing below.
  • The School also has a relationship with a local psychiatrist, who provides medication consultation and management on campus as needed. The cost of these services is the responsibility of the student's family.

The Health Center works closely with three area hospitals, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford Hospital and UCONN Health for referrals and comprehensive care for our students.

 


 

Health Center + MANUAL

Avon Old Farms has, again, partnered with MANUAL, a mental wellness and personal development platform specifically designed for boys and young men in order to provide our students with a trusted source for health and wellness information.

Learn more about MANUAL

 


 

FAQs

What happens if I get sick in the middle of the night?

Our Health Center is open:

  • Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • Friday: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., 6 - 7 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., 6 - 7 p.m.

When the health center is closed, a school nurse is on call for situations that require urgent medical attention. Please call the Health Center at 860-404-4234 for assistance. If the situation is an emergency, call 911.

Does the school offer any counseling services?

The School employs Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Victoria Bosse, PsyD, LMFT and contracted school based therapist, Paige Naclerio, LMSW in order to respond to the mental health needs of the student body. The scope of our services includes brief, goal-oriented therapy through a variety of treatment modalities, check-in sessions, referrals and crisis intervention services.

Our counselors see students for a variety of reasons such as during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change and other temporary situations where counseling services may be needed. Our counselors help students find and learn tools and coping mechanisms to help them deal with adversity. Counseling services are part of the regular Health Center services and are therefore included in your son’s tuition and fees.

The School also has a relationship with a local psychiatrist which allows for timely access to medication consultation and psychiatric care if needed. The School may require a psychiatric evaluation if a student’s behavior causes concern, danger or suffering to a student or the community. The cost for services provided by our contracted psychiatrist are not part of your son’s tuition and fees and will be the responsibility of the student’s family.

For more information and details about our Counseling and Psychological Services, please refer to our AOF Counseling Center Student and Family Resource Guide.

Learn More

 

About Dr. Victoria Bosse, PsyD, LMFT

Dr. Victoria Bosse, PsyD, LMFT is our new director of counseling and psychological services. Dr. Tori worked at the Westover School for three years before coming to Avon. We are excited to welcome her to our AOF home as a member of our amazing Health & Wellness team. If you are interested in reaching out to Dr. Tori or any of our Counseling Center staff, please call 860-404-4290 or email.

Is a PPD test required?
ALL international students, and any high-risk students MUST have a current (within the last two months) PPD skin test (for Tuberculosis) prior to coming to campus. Students, especially ones from high-risk countries, will not be allowed on campus at all if they have not fulfilled this requirement. For students from high-risk countries, many of them will require an additional blood test because their PPD will be positive due to prior exposure. A PPD skin test or a QuantiFERON Gold blood test will satisfy this requirement. A chest x-ray will not satisfy this requirement.
How recently should our son have his physical?
We require a CURRENT physical exam for all students. If a physical exam has not been done within one year of the start of school, students may be withheld from sports. Exams must be done and submitted yearly.
Does my son need health insurance?

All students are required to submit proof of adequate health insurance coverage in the state of Connecticut. International students must sign up for health insurance by going to the Clifford Allen Associates website: here. Please submit a copy of the student’s health insurance card (front and back) through the Magnus Health Portal.

Learn More

What vaccines does the school require to attend?

AOF follows the CT State vaccine requirements. Students are required to have submitted documentation of all vaccines prior to coming to campus. A complete list of required vaccines can be found on the Magnus Health Portal in the immunization requirement section. Students can obtain vaccines from their pediatrician's office or local health clinic. Make sure to call ahead to any clinic in order to confirm that they offer the vaccine(s) that your son needs.

At this time, COVID and flu vaccines are not required but are highly recommended. However, this is subject to change at any time based on federal, state and/or local guidance.

What protocols are in place for concussions?

The ImPACT test will no longer be utilized at Avon Old Farms School. This change has come on the guidance and recommendation of Dr. Alessi-LaRosa, Sports Neurologist and our school’s preferred concussion specialist. The school works closely with Dr. Alessi-LaRosa to help diagnose and treat students with concussions.

You can view the school’s complete Concussion Policy and Procedures here.

What sort of sex education will my child receive at Avon Old Farms?

Every student, every year, will have half a year of Character education and half a year of Health & Wellness education as part of our Prep4Ward program. Sex education is included in the Health & Wellness portion of Prep4Ward and is taught as part of a developmentally appropriate curriculum for each grade. For more information on Prep4Ward, click here.


 


 

Contact our Director of Health and Wellness

HEATHER CALLAGHANDIRECTOR OF NURSING AND HEALTH & WELLNESS
P: 860-404-4280
 
Email

 

CONTACT US

HEALTH CENTER EMAIL

860-404-4234

Note: during the summer, our office is closed, but staff do check email regularly, therefore, emailing is the best way to communicate with us during the summer.

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