The primary objective of the School Nurse is to provide services to promote and maintain the health of the student. Therefore, school health services are designed to:

1. Assess the health status of pupils
2. Counsel pupils, parents/guardians, and other concerning assessment findings
3. Assist in the identification and education of children with disabilities
4. Help prevent and/or control disease
5. Provide emergency services for injury or sudden illness
6. Plan services which will provide a healthful environment
7. Adjust individual school programs to meet the needs of children with problems
8. Maintain comprehensive health records for all students

The health assessment or the process of determining the total health status of a student is provided by medical and dental exams, health screenings, past and present medical history provided by parents/guardians, and teacher and nurse observations. The Pennsylvania State School Health Law requires physical exams be done on original entry into school, and in the 6th and 11th grades. It also requires dental exams to be done in grades K or 1st, 3rd, and 7th. The grades selected represent critical periods of growth and development in a student’s life. Completed dental/physical exams or documentation of a scheduled exam date is to be returned to the nurse by September 15th. Parents/guardians are urged to have the exams done by the family physician and dentist as this provides for continuity in the student’s medical and dental care. The school district does not assume financial responsibility for exams performed by private physicians and dentists.

Screenings:

1. Each student is weighed and measured annually in order to calculate the student’s Basal Metabolic Index.
2. Each student’s vision is screened according to Pennsylvania Department of Health Guidelines.  This is typically done annually or every 2 years.
3. Hearing screenings are given to grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 11. Any student with a history of hearing loss is examined annually or as needed.
4. Scoliosis screenings are required in grades 6 and 7.

Parents/guardians are notified of any abnormal findings detected by the above exams/screenings by the nurse. If your child is not to receive one of these exams/screenings, submit your opposition to the nurse in writing by September 15. In an attempt to secure corrections and improvement of health, the nurse will follow-up, encouraging parents/guardians to seek additional treatment as needed.