School Health & Nursing Services

WHEN TO KEEP THE STUDENT HOME:

Children should not be in school when they are ill or when they are not well enough to participate in class. When a child exhibits any of the following symptoms, he/she should be kept at home.

Some general guidelines are:
Fever and vomiting should have subsided for at least 24 hours to prevent spread of infection.

More specific guidance for Fevers:

• A child running a fever of 100 degrees or higher should stay home.
• A child running a fever of 99+ degrees may have trouble keeping up with normal activities and may well become sick before the day is over.
• A child with a low-grade fever (99+ degrees) combined with other symptoms and discomfort should stay home.
• The rule of thumb is: “Fever free for 24 hours without medication”

Other reasons to keep a child home:

• Severe OR persistent coughing
• Very congested
• Very runny nose
• Unexplained rash

Students who show symptoms of the following communicable (contagious) conditions (including, but not limited to) will be excluded from school and will be readmitted to school after 24 hours of appropriate treatment and a doctor’s note:

• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Impetigo
• Pinworms
• Ringworm
• Strep Throat

Pediculosis (Head Lice): The school nurse will contact a parent if a student is diagnosed with live head lice. They may go home and return to class after appropriate treatment in consultation with your child’s pediatrician. This may be the same day. The school nurse will examine your child’s head prior to readmission to school, again at 1 week, and potentially at week 2 and week 3. There may be a need for additional treatments to successfully rid a lice infestation.

District letter regarding Head Lice

• PA Dept of Health Immunization Requirements
• Vaccine Information

Required Immunizations 

1. Four doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
2. Four doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
3. Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (2nd dose given on or after 4th birthday)
4. Three doses of hepatitis B
5. Two doses of varicella/chickenpox (2nd dose given on or after 4th birthday) OR evidence of immunity
6. MCV and Tdap vaccine for all students in 7th through 12th grade (1st dose prior to entry in 7th grade)
7. Second MCV for students entering 12th grade (given after 16th birthday)

Physical forms, immunization records and dental forms are required registration documents. See the district Registration Page for more information.

Physical Form

• K-12 Screenings: K-12 students will have their height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and vision screenings completed annually. 
• Hearing: Hearing screenings will take place in K through 3rd grade, 7th and 11th grade.
• Scoliosis: Your child's 6th grade physical will include a scoliosis screening provided from your physician. In 7th grade, the certified school nurse will complete a scoliosis screening. 
• Physicals: Physicals are required on original entry into the school system, regardless of grade and in 6th and 11th grades. Copies of camp, driver license, or PIAA physicals are acceptable to meet this requirement. It is imperative that an updated immunization record be submitted with all physicals. Physicals are mandated prior to moving onto the next school year. 
• Dental Exams: Dental examinations are required upon school entrance and in grades 3 and 7. Dental examinations are completed by the School Dental Hygienist during the school year. Your dentist may also complete a dental form should you choose not to participate in the screening.

On January 10, 2025, the PA Department of Health (PDH) Division of School Health made several recent changes to the PA School Code pertaining to student health initiatives. Act 117 of 2024 requires all school entities to share Type 1 Diabetes educational materials with parents and guardians of students.

For the Department of Health’s website and information relating to Type 1 Diabetes can be found at: 
Act 117 - Parental Education of Type 1 Diabetes | Department of Health | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.