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Home Hospital Instruction

A Newton Public School student, who, due to documented medical reasons, is confined to the home or to a hospital for fourteen (14) school days or more during the school year, is entitled to receive home/hospital educational services as described under 603 CMR 28.03(3)(c). Students with chronic illnesses who have recurring home/hospital stays of less than 14 consecutive school days, when such recurrences have added up to or are expected to add up to more than 14 school days in a school year, are also eligible for home or hospital educational services if they are requested and the medical need is documented by the physician.  In this context a "Newton public school student" means a student who is enrolled in the Newton Public Schools, or a student who is being educated with public funds in an educational collaborative or an approved private day or residential special education school. 

Once the student's personal physician determines that a student's medical condition will require either hospitalization or home care for not less than 14 school days, the physician must notify the school district responsible for the student in order to begin the home/hospital instruction process. The student's physician must complete a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education form 28R/3 (Physician’s Affirmation) and submit it to the student's building principal or other appropriate program administrator. At a minimum the physician's signed affirmation must include information regarding:

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

  • The medical reason(s) for the confinement;

  • The expected duration of the confinement; and

  • Medical needs of the student that should be considered in planning the home or hospital education services

Completed Physicians Affirmation Forms should be submitted to the school principal at the elementary school level or your student’s guidance counselor at the middle and high school levels. 

Please see the below links for the DESE physician affirmation statement form and a detailed question and answer guide regarding Home/Hospital Instruction 

DESE Question and Answer Guide For Home/Hospital

Home Hospital Physicians Affirmation Form