Health Office

Student Pregnancy Protocol

Pregnancy is not treated as an illness at GNBVT High School. Pregnant students are permitted to remain in academic classes, and vocational areas as well as participate in extracurricular activities with non-pregnant students throughout their pregnancy as long as such activities are not contraindicated by their obstetrician. After giving birth students are permitted to return to the same academic, vocational, and extracurricular program(s) as prior to their medical LOA.

All faculty and staff who are aware or suspect a student is pregnant should report such information to the school nurse. This information is needed to protect our students, reduce our liability, and promote the health and well-being of our students through prenatal care and education. It is also necessary to ensure access and referral to appropriate services and providers. All information will be handled in a confidential and professional manner.

All efforts and collaboration are made in the best interest of the student. This is facilitated by nursing with the engagement of students, and will also include guidance counselors as well as other community agencies as appropriate. The student’s condition along with physician documentation related to pregnancy/delivery will be maintained in a temporary/separate file maintained by the nurse for the duration of their enrollment at GNBVT. Prior to graduation or withdrawal from school, the nurse will provide this temporary file directly to the student. Confidentiality is maintained throughout the process. The nurse will ascertain if the student is receiving prenatal care, and if not, facilitates the process of accessing necessary medical services. Parent notification is the responsibility of the student. If the student does not feel comfortable discussing with parent(s) on their own, they are encouraged to take advantage of the safety of the nurse’s office. Nursing may reach out to request for parent(s) to come to school to support and assist in notification to parents with the student present and leading discussion. We suggest that a student who chooses to tell her parents at home do so early in the week so that the nurse can provide her with support in the days following the disclosure.

GNBRVTHS does not require a pregnant student to obtain certification from a physician that the student is physically and emotionally able to continue school. As we require from all students, physician documentation is necessary for the following: absences, medical dismissals, temporary removal from physical education as well as academic modifications, and vocational/shop physical accommodations as necessary and appropriate.

Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all students. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, homelessness, immigration status or veteran status in its educational programs and activities, including admission to or employment in such programs or activities.