The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has mandated that all children entering the Kindergarten or First Grade present documented proof that the following immunizations have been received:
Diptheria, 4 doses - one after the fourth birthday
Tetanus, 4 doses - one after the fourth birthday
Polio, 3 doses Trivalen Oral Vaccine
Measles, 2 doses of vaccine
Rubella, 1 dose of vaccine
Mumps, 2 doses of vaccine
Hepatitis B, 3 doses of vaccine
Varicella (chicken Pox), 2 doses or history of disease
After the basic series of three oral polio vaccine, diptheria and tetanus, boosters are due between four and six years of age. This should be followed by a diptheria-tetanus booster between 14 and 16 years of age with a subsequent booster every ten years. Please inform the school nurse, in writing, when boosters are given. Other immunizations may be required.
The state does not require Pertussis, Hemophilus influenza B (HIB) or Smallpox vaccination, but parents should check with their physician for current practices.
Nurse:
A registered nurse is provided by the public school district according to the school's enrollment, on days selected by the public school district. Sacred Heart School is fortunate to have their own registered nurse, Mrs. Durnan, on duty every day.
The nurse is responsible for checking the height, weight, hearing and vision of every child and for making referral to parents when problems are found. The nurse maintains all health records. Care given in the school is limited to first aid in accidents or illness until the parents can be reached to take the child home, to the doctor, or to the hospital. In an emergency, the nurse will arrange to have the student transported to the hospital.
All students are screened yearly under the State-mandated program. Student physical examinations are required within three months of entry into school and the sixth grade. Student dental examinations are required within three months of entry into school and in the third and seventh grades. The sixth and seventh grade students are also screened for scoliosis.
If your child has a specific medical problem, please notify the homeroom teacher and the nurse of the problem. Medic-Alert bracelets are strongly recommended for any child with a medical problem. Emergency cards are kept on file for each student. Please be sure that we have an up-to-date emergency number on file in case of an emergency during the school day involving your child.
Accidents at School:
Accidents or unusual illness at school are reported immediately to the principal or main office personnel. When a student becomes ill or meets with an accident, the parent or guardian is contacted. If the parent or guardian cannot be reached, an emergency contact will be called. No medicine of any kind, including aspirin, may be given to the student. Only basic first aid may be administered. Parents must be contacted immediately if there is any question regarding an injury.
Each child is required to have a Tuberculin Tione test within a three month period prior to entering school.
Medications:
It is generally recommended that prescription medicines be given to the student before and/or after school in accordance with the physician's directions. In those rare instances where the medication must be given during the school day, it should be taken by the student in the presence of the school nurse.
Parents/guardians are required to sign a medication authorization form, which is available from the school, if the student must take any medication at school.
Prescription and non-prescription over the counter medications must be in the original container with a note from the parent and physician to include:
name of medicine
dosage
time of administration
dates to be given
reason for medication
Medications as prescribed by the family physician or at the discretion of the parents must be delivered by the parent directly to the school nurse or principal. Students should not carry a full prescription bottle to be taken back and forth daily.
Students requiring medical attention must report to the nurse. No medications should be placed in lunch boxes or school bags for students to self-administer. All medications must be taken in the nurse's office.