Health Services

The following regulations have been established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to promote the health of our students.

All students entering school for the first time must be fully immunized as a condition of school attendance.  The following immunizations are required:

• Diphtheria and Tetanus – Four or more properly spaced doses of DTP, DTaP, Td or DT, or any combination of the three with 1 dose administered on or after the fourth birthday.
• Polio – Four or more properly spaced doses of polio vaccine with 1 dose administered on or after the fourth birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given*.  (Inactivated Polio Vaccine or Oral Polio Vaccine.)
• Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, and Rubella (German Measles) – Two properly spaced doses with the first dose administered at 12 months of age or older, or immunity proved by serological evidence determined by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test or any comparable test**.
• Hepatitis B – Three properly spaced doses of hepatitis B vaccine.  (Currently the medical recommendation is that the second dose of hepatitis B vaccine be separated by at least one month after the first dose and the third dose is separated by at least 4 months after the first dose and at least 2 months after the second dose.  The 3^rd dose must be given after 24 weeks of age.)
• Varicella – Two doses of live attenuated varicella vaccine administered at 12 months of age or older, or chickenpox immunity proved by laboratory testing, or a written statement of history of chickenpox disease from a parent, guardian or physician.

Students entering 7^th grade need the following:

• One dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
  • (If 5 years has elapsed since last tetanus immunization)
• One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)

Students entering 12^th grade need the following: Second dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) at age 16 or older

A physical examination is required upon original entry into school and again in 6th and 11th grades.

A dental examination is required upon original entry into school and again in 3rd and 7th grades.

We welcome you to learn more about health and wellness topics by visiting the health related links:

Body Mass Index (BMI)
Immunization Requirements
MRSA
Pertussis
Varicella
Concussions
BrainSteps
Food Allergies
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Influenza
Scoliosis

Illness Guidelines for Children in School

The Parkland School District has established the following guidelines for sickness. If a student becomes ill, he/she should stay home until fully recovered. Please do not send your child to school if any of the following symptoms are present:

• Temperature of 100 degrees or higher
• Vomiting related to illness
• Diarrhea related to illness
• Severe coughing
• Suspicious skin rash

Examinations are required by the State Department of Health in the following grades:

Physical Examination

Physical examinations are required in kindergarten/First (upon original entry), Sixth (6), and Eleventh (11) grades.
New students to the district in unselected grades will also need to meet this requirement if prior documentation is not available.

Dental Form

Dental examinations are required in kindergarten/First (upon original entry), Third (3), and Seventh (7) grade. New students to the district in unselected grades will also need to meet this requirement if prior documentation is not available.

Vision Form for Eye Specialist 

Vision Screening is completed in all grades Kindergarten through twelfth (12) grades. This form is utilized when your school nurse has indicated your child  should see an eye doctor.

Medications:

When an illness is serious enough to warrant the administration of medication, the parent or guardian should attempt to administer the medication before or after school hours. If it becomes necessary for prescribed and/ or over-the-counter medication to be given during school hours, the medication must be brought in to school by a parent/guardian in the original container and must be labeled with:

1. Child’s name and grade
2. Name of the medication
3. Amount of medication to be taken
4. Time the child is to take the medication

• Medication Form – Parent /Physician Authorization
• Student Contract To Carry  Asthma Inhaler
• Student Contract to Carry Epinephrine
• Diabetic Nurse Management Plan

The procedure is the same for controlled substance medications (i.e. Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, etc.). Due to the nature of these medications, a parent must deliver the medication to school. The medication may not be sent with the student and the appropriate form must be on file prior to the medication being administered at the school.  All medication will need to be picked-up at the end of the school term by a parent/guardian.

When the School Nurse is notified of a field trip with students that have medication housed in the nursing office, prescription and nonprescription medication will be sent in the elementary and middle schools. Please contact the high school health room for details at this level.