A Message from School Health Services

We want to take this opportunity to tell you briefly about some of the health services offered in your school. These services are planned to help your child achieve and maintain his/her best possible physical condition so that he/she may learn at his/her highest level of ability. If your child has a handicap of any kind, we also try to help him/her make the necessary adjustments to the school program, and coordinate our effort with the wishes of the parents and physician whenever possible.

Care give in the school is limited to first aid in accidents and illness until the parent can be reached to take the child home, to the doctor, or hospital. Emergency cards are kept for each child providing information to assist in locating parents, family physician, or an emergency person. It is important for you to keep this information up-to-date in the school.

WHEN IT IS NECESSARY FOR MEDICATION (PRESCRIPTION AND/OR NON-PRESCRIPTION) TO BE GIVEN TO YOUR CHILD DURING SCHOOL HOURS, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE MUST BE FOLLOWED:

1) A Medication consent form (PH-17) MUST be completed and returned to the school nurse (forms are available in nurse's office).

2) Medication prescribed by the family physician MUST be delivered by the parent to the school nurse (or teacher designated by the principal).

3) Doctor's written request AND directions on a professionally packaged medicine MUST accompany the medicine.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES PROHIBITS THE SCHOOL NURSE FROM DISPENSING THE MEDICATION TO YOUR CHILD.

School nurses work under written orders of the school physician for first aid. School nurses are prohibited by law to diagnose injuries or illness. Please do not send your child to the nurse for a diagnosis. We believe that decisions regarding the need for medical care rest finally with the parents; therefore, parents are always contacted to take the child home or to the doctor as the need arises. Transportation is the responsibility of the family.

Parents are urged to protect their children with the insurance group plan made available through the school. It is important that injuries and accidents in school, or on the way to and from school, are reported promptly to the nurse or school office.

A health conference is held with your child each year. During the conference he/she is weighed and measured and his/her eyes are tested. Hearing is tested in grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 11. A scoliosis examination (an examination of the spine) is conducted in grades 6 and 7. A report is sent home if any of these tests are failed.

Physical examinations are required upon original entry into school and in grades 6 and 11. Dental examinations are required upon original entry into school and grades 3 and 7. These examinations may be done by either the school physician or dentist, at no expense to the parents, or the family physician or dentist at the parent's expense. We encourage parents to see their private physician for continuity of care.

All students in Pennsylvania must be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella and mumps. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania immunization requirements is as follows:

• Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine - Required for K-4 & new school entrants.
• A second dose of measles vaccine, preferably given Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) - Required for k-12
•  A fourth does of tetanus and diphtheria vaccine, including one dose administered on or after the fourth birthday. Required for K & first time entrants.

Beginning in the 2002-2003 school year, new school vaccination will include:

• Varicella vaccine or written documentation of having the chicken pox disease for new school entrants (Kindergarten or first grade students), and for students entering seventh grade.
• Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine (for students entering seventh grade).

In addition to the required immunization, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recommends the following:

• Three properly spaced doses of Hepatitis B vaccine. (Students entering prior to 1997)
• Varicella (chicken pox) immunity, either from vaccination, history of disease or laboratory testing for all students.

An immunization certificate is on file in the nurse's office. When a student transfers to another district, please request a copy of this record for registration at your new school.

Finally, we urge you to encourage your child to eat the necessary foods each day to ensure his growth and development and to practice other good health habits that contribute to his/her well being. When a student shows signs of illness, he/she should remain at home. It is required that parents call the school when the child is absent. A physician's note is required for readmission following an absence of three days or greater. A physician's note is also required if a child is absent due to a communicable disease.

We hope this information will be helpful to you.