Pennridge School District Health Policies

Medication Policy

If it is essential that your child have medication during the course of the school day, you or your child must provide the school nurse with a completed Medication Form (pdf format) with medication upon arrival at school. See below for information regarding self-administration for astham inhalers

According to school district policy, prescription medications must be in a pharmacist’s labeled bottle. Pharmacy may be asked for 2 labeled bottles. Over the Counter medicine is to be in the original container and the child’s name is to be taped onto the container.

Self-Administration of Asthma Inhalers

Students are permitted to carry properly labeled asthma inhalers. The student/parent must provide the school nurse with a completed Asthma Medication Protocol Form (pdf format). This form contains a written statement and directives from the physician regarding the drug, dosage, and other pertinent information.

The student must provide the school nurse with a signed Student Agreement Regarding Self-Administration of Asthma Inhaler Medication Form (pdf format). By signing this form, the student agrees to abide by the approved procedures and has demonstrated proper self-administration and use to his/her physician and his/her parent/guardian.

The parent/guardian must provide the school nurse with a signed Parent/Guardian Agreement Regarding Self-Administration of Asthma Inhaler Medication Form (pdf format). By signing this form, the parent/guardian releases the school of responsibility from all claims of liability and that the school has no responsibility that the medication is taken.

Immunizations

Pennsylvania requires that all children show proof of immunization before they can attend school in the commonweath, unless an exemption for medical or religious reasons is granted.

The following are the minimum requirements for entry:

• Diphtheria and Tetanus - Three or more properly spaced doses. (A fourth dose given after a child's fourth birthday for entries after 1997.
  
  
• Polio - Three or more properly spaced doses.
  
  
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) - Two doses.
  
  
• Hepatitis B - Three doses for entries after 1997.

Begining with the 2002-03 school year, a state mandate requires all kindergarten and original entry students to the district to have one dose of the Varicella vaccine for chicken pox or verification of the disease. All seventh grade students must have the vaccine or verification of having had chicken pox. All seventh graders are also required to have three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine.

Examinations

The state mandated examinations required for all school children include:

• Vision Evaluation - Done at school every year Kindergarten through grade 12.
  
  
• Height and Weight Measurements - Done at school every year Kindergarten through grade 12.
  
  
• Hearing Evaluation - Done at school for grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7, 11.
  
  
• Medical Exam - Kindergarten, grade six, and grade eleven.
  
  
• Dental Exam - Kingergarten, grade three, and grade seven.

These examinations can be completed any time on or after the first day of school, one year prior to the school year in which the examinations are due. Therefore, the student has two years in which to obtain the required examination. For example: The eleventh grade physical can be completed any time on or after the first day of tenth grade. Examination forms to be completed by the physician or dentist are available from the nurse in your child's school or on the Health Services web page. The Health Services web page is located on the District web site. Look for Department Heading and go the Health Services: http://www.bucksiu.org/pennridge/psd/other_services/health.html .