Nurses & Health Services
Lower Dauphin's school health services are under the supervision of a physician, a dentist and a school nurse. The district prides itself in having a health care professional in each school building.
Parents have the primary responsibility for the health of their children including the establishment of good personal health habits. Parents should see that their children get sufficient rest, attend to personal cleanliness and eat wholesome food to ensure regular attendance at school. Inform your child's teacher and the school nurse of any health condition that might affect your child's school work.
Parents are encouraged to call or visit the nurse to report and discuss any problems concerning health. If your child has an accident away from school, is hospitalized, or is receiving special medical attention, please keep the school nurse informed. Bee sting allergies, hearing problems, communicable diseases and fractures are examples of situations that should be reported.
The following services are a part of the school health program:
- Vision screening once a year for every student from kindergarten to grade 12.
- Hearing screening every year for children from kindergarten to third grade inclusive and students in grade 7. In addition, all children with known hearing problems are screened every year.
- Height and weight measurement for every student in kindergarten through grade 12. This includes a body mass index screening.
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) screening is done for students in grades 6 and 7.
- The Pennsylvania Department of School Health requires a physical examination of children when they enter school for the first time, while in grade 6 and while in grade 11 (completed your primary care physician).
- A dental examination is required when children enter school for the first time, and in grade 3 and 7 (completed your private dentist).
Parents are encouraged to have these examinations completed by their family physician and dentist. The school physician and dentist will complete examinations of these children who have not been able to go to their health care provider, but they can only examine - not treat or prescribe medication. Parents will be contacted if a problem is identified.
The school requests parents to complete the school health history questionnaire for each child entering school for the first time. This is an important tool to assess the health needs of your child.
School Medical Care
The school’s role in the medical care of your child is summarized below:
In case a student becomes ill in school or any other emergency occurs which would require the child to be returned to the home, the parent will be contacted promptly. Each parent should carefully complete the Emergency Health form provided by the school, including the phone number of a relative or friend who could be contacted in case the school is unable to contact the parent.
First aid treatment is the only treatment given to the student. In case of accidents in the school, the child is given first aid by the health personnel/teacher. In cases requiring more than first aid treatment, the parents will be called to take the child to the family doctor. If we are unable to contact the parents (or your alternate emergency contact) the nurse will make arrangements to have the child transported to the nearest most appropriate medical facility.