A Message from the School Nurse

• Provide direct care to students
• Provide screening and referral for health conditions
• Promote health by provide health education
• Serve as liaison between school, family, health care, and the community
• Provide leadership for the provision of health services
• Promote a healthy school environment
• Serve as a leader for health policies and programs

PA DEPT OF HEALTH:

For Attendance In All Grades, Children Need The Following:

• Four doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis* (one dose on or after the fourth birthday)
• Four doses of polio (fourth dose on or after fourth birthday and at least six months after previous dose given)**
• Two doses of measles, mumps, rubella***
• Three doses of hepatitis B
• Two doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

* Usually given as DTP or DTaP or if medically advisable, DT or Td.

** A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age four years or older and at least six months after the previous dose.

***Usually given as MMR

On The First Day Of School

Unless the child has a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, a child must have had at least one dose of the above vaccinations or risk exclusion.

• If a child does not have all the doses listed above, needs additional doses, and the next dose is medically appropriate, the child must receive that dose within the first five days of school or risk exclusion. If the next dose is not the final dose of the series, the child must also provide a medical plan (red and white card) within the first five days of school for obtaining the required immunizations or risk exclusion.

• If a child does not have all the doses listed above, needs additional doses, and the next dose is not medically appropriate, the child must provide a medical plan (red and white card) within the first five days of school for obtaining the required immunizations or risk exclusion.

• The medical plan must be followed or risk exclusion.

For Attendance In Seventh Grade

One dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) on the first day of seventh grade.

One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of seventh grade.

On the first day of seventh Grade: Unless the child has a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, a child must have had the above vaccines or risk exclusion

For Attendance In Twelfth Grade

One does of MCV on the first day of 12th grade. If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the twelfth grade dose.

On the first day of twelfth grade: Unless the child has a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, a child must have had the above vaccines or risk exclusion

• These requirements allow for the follow exemptions: medical reason, religious belief, or philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction. Even if your child is exempt from immunizations, they may be excluded from school during an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease.

• The vaccines required for entrance, seventh grade and twelfth grade continue to be required in each succeeding school year.

Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements can be found in 28 Pa.CODE CH23 (School Immunization). Contact your healthcare provider or call 1-877-PA-HEALTH for more information.

Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that often begins in the elementary and early teen years. We have attached a fact sheet for you to review. If at any time you have concerns regarding your child, it is best to communicate with your primary care doctor and the school nurse. This will ensure the best care for your child when they are with us at school and at home.

• Fever: Temperature of 100 degrees or higher without the use of fever reducing medication.
• Vomiting or diarrhea the night or morning before school, not associated with a documented chronic physical or psychological condition.
• Persistent cough or thick nasal discharge.
• Eyes - red, itchy, or with discharge.
• Any serious illness or injury should be diagnosed by a physician. The student should not be sent to school for evaluation by the school nurse.

When your child should return to school:

• Fever free without medicine for at least 24 hours
• Free from diarrhea and/or vomiting for at least 24 hours

• Symptoms such as coughing and sneezing should be improving for at least 24 hours.

When your child will be sent home from school:

• Fever: temperature of 100 degrees or higher
• Active vomiting or diarrhea
• Suspected contagious illness
• A serious injury or if they appear obviously ill

Parents will only be notified by the school nurse if they feel that the child needs to leave school, or in the event of any illness or injury, including those that may require outside medical attention.

The following guidelines apply to all medications administered in school:

• It is recommended that parents refrain from sending medication to school whenever possible and administer required medication(s) to children at home.

• Students are not permitted to carry ANY form of prescription or over the counter (OTC) medication on their person unless they have a written order from their physician. Students found to be carrying medication in school will face disciplinary action.

• For a student to receive a prescription or OTC medication in school requires the following items be on file with the school nurse:

• Medication in original container and labeled with student’s name.

• Order from physician for any prescription or OTC medication which shall include the dosage, time to be given.

• Completed and signed parent/guardian permission form.

• Arrangements will be made for a parent/guardian or licensed nurse to administer medications or medical treatments to a student while on a field trip. Proper documentation for medication administration needs to be on file with the school nurse before the student can participate in the field trip.