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Home/Hospital/Re-Entry

When your child is hospitalized or confined to home, it is important to contact your child’s school counselor immediately so they may continue to be a support.

Once you have signed a release form, the school counselor will assist you in communicating with the hospital lead or physician regarding your child’s progress, ability to do school work and planning re-entry back to school.

It is always important to hold a re-entry meeting when a student returns to school following an extended absence. During this meeting, a support plan will be developed, which will include academic and social-emotional supports to meet your child’s needs.

Home-Hospital Tutoring

A student enrolled in the Public Schools of Brookline who, due to documented medical reasons, is confined to home or a hospital for fourteen (14) school days or more in any school year is entitled to receive home/hospital educational services in accordance with 603 CMR 28.03(3)(c).

Students with chronic illnesses or medical conditions resulting in recurring absences that cumulatively exceed or are expected to exceed fourteen (14) school days during a school year may also be eligible for home/hospital educational services when the medical need is documented by a licensed physician.

Once a student’s treating physician determines that the student’s medical condition will require hospitalization or home confinement for no fewer than fourteen (14) school days, the physician or parent/guardian should notify the student’s school counselor to initiate the home/hospital instruction process.

The physician must complete the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Home or Hospital Educational Services form (28R/3). You can access this form here. The documentation should be submitted to the student’s building principal, school nurse, or other designated administrator.

At a minimum, the physician’s signed notice must include:

  • The date the student was admitted to a hospital or confined to home;

  • The medical reason(s) for the confinement;

  • The expected duration of the confinement; and

  • Any medical needs or limitations that should be considered in planning educational services.

Upon receipt of the required medical documentation, the Public Schools of Brookline will arrange educational services designed to provide the student with access to the general curriculum during the period of medical confinement. Services may include direct tutoring, coordination of assignments, virtual instruction, consultation with teachers, or other instructional supports appropriate to the student’s medical condition and educational needs. 

The district will determine the type, frequency, duration, and location of services based on:

  • the student’s medical needs;

  • the anticipated length of absence;

  • the student’s grade level and course requirements;

  • and consultation with the student’s treating physician, family, and school staff.

Home/hospital educational services are intended to maintain continuity of instruction during a medically necessary absence and are not intended to replicate the student’s full school schedule or constitute a change in placement. These services will be provided with sufficient frequency to allow the student to continue his or her educational program (as long as such services do not interfere with the medical needs of the student).

For students eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or accommodations under Section 504, the district may convene the student’s Team or 504 Team, as appropriate, to determine whether additional supports, accommodations, or changes to services are necessary as a result of the medical condition or absence.

Please note that Educational services provided pursuant to Home and Hospital regulations are not considered special education services unless the student has been found eligible for special education and the services are specifically included in the student’s IEP.

The school will maintain ongoing communication with the student, family, instructional staff, and medical providers, as appropriate, regarding:

  • the student’s participation,

  • academic progress,

  • changes in medical status,

  • and planning for transition back to school.

When medically appropriate, the school will collaborate with the student and family to support a successful reintegration to the school setting, including consideration of transitional supports, schedule adjustments, counseling support, or other interventions as needed.

If, in the judgment of the student’s treating physician, a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is expected to remain at home, in a hospital, or in a pediatric nursing facility for medical reasons for more than sixty (60) school days in any school year, the district will convene the student’s IEP Team in accordance with 603 CMR 28.04(4).

The Team will consider the student’s medical needs, current educational status, and the services required to provide the student with a free appropriate public education (FAPE) during the period of extended absence.

Please see here for the Physician's Affirmation Form for absences of more than 60 days.