School 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.
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.
- 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.
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) screening is done for students in grades 6 and 7.
- A dental examination is required when children enter school for the first time, and in grade 3 and 7.
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.
Administration of Medications
The school nurse must have written permission from the child’s parent/guardian and a written order from the family physician to administer prescribed medication at school. This medication must be accompanied by a Lower Dauphin School District "Authorization for Medication During School Hours" form. Authorized prescribed medication is to be brought to the school nurse or principal by a parent/guardian. A request for a long-term presented medication must be resubmitted at the beginning of each school year.
Several over-the-counter medications may be administered by school personnel. Only those medications approved by a parent will be administered to students.
Emergency Contact Person
When changes in contact persons, telephone numbers, residence or mailing address are made the school office must be notified immediately.
Absence From School
Although we encourage good school attendance habits, we also stress that children who are ill should be kept at home. A blue excuse card is provided by the school district and MUST be used for all absences. The child should bring the card to school on the day that he/she returns from an absence. If your child is absent from school with a communicable disease or is absent for five or more consecutive days due to any other type of illness, he/she shall see the school nurse upon returning to school. If the absence was for five or more consecutive days, a doctor’s excuse is required.
Communicable Diseases
Parents of a child who is suspected of having a communicable disease should notify their physician and the school nurse for procedures to follow.
Common Communicable Diseases:
- conjunctivitis
- scabies
- tonsillitis
- impetigo
- ringworm
- mumps
- head lice
- chicken pox
- respiratory strep
Keeping the School Informed
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.
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.
Immunizations
The Pennsylvania Department of Health, requires all children to have a certificate of immunization from their family physician or state health center with the following immunizations and their dates recorded on it:
For attendance in ALL grades (k-12), children need the following:
- 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (one dose on or after the 4th birthday) *
- 4 doses of Polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given) **
- 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella ***
- 3 doses of hepatitis B
- 2 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 dosewas administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after the previous dose
*** usually given as MMR
ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ATTENDANCE IN 7th GRADE, ADDITIONAL vaccinations ARE REQUIRED:
- 1 dose of tetanus, Diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
- 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ATTENDANCE IN 12th GRADE, ADDITIONAL vaccination IS REQURIED:
- Second dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) ****
**** if one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose.
The only exemptions to the school laws for immunizations are:
- medical reasons
- religious beliefs
If your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be removed from school during an outbreak.
This certificate of immunization must be returned to the school prior to entry of the child.