A child’s health is an important contributing factor to his or her success in school. The goal of our district nurses is to maintain, improve, and promote the health of every student in partnership with their guardians.
District Information and Forms
- Contact Information
- K-12 Immunization and Health Requirements
- School Physical & Health Requirements
- Medication Administration at School Information and Form
- Health Screenings
- Exemption from Immunization
- Health Related Action Plans
- When to Keep Your Child Home from School
- District Board Policies Related to Health Services
- Health Services Forms
Contact Information
Upper Perkiomen High School
Mrs. Regina Lundquist, M.Ed., BSN, RN, CSN
(phone): 215-541-7125
(fax): 215-541-7005
(email): rlundquist@upsd.org
Upper Perkiomen Middle School
Alison Johnson (MSN): 267-313-4800 ext. 6121
Marlborough Elementary
Lori Preite (LPN): 215-541-7299 ext. 7209
Hereford Elementary
Crystal Swartz (RN, CSN. M.Ed): 215-679-4151 ext. 3459
4th-5th Grade Center
Joanna Rosenberger
jbrosenberger@upsd.org
215-679-6288 x4010
K-12 Immunization and Health Requirements
IMMUNIZATIONS REGULATIONS
PA School Immunization Requirements MUST be met by 5th day of school or students will NOT be allowed to attend school. If you are unsure, please check with your pediatrician.
Children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following immunizations for attendance:
- 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (one dose on or after student's 4th birthday)
- 4 doses of polio(one dose on or after student's 4th birthday)
- 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- 3 doses of hepatitis B
- 2 doses of varicella (chicken pox)
Additional Requirements for Students Entering 7th Grade
- 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)
- 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
Additional Requirements for Students Entering 12th Grade
- 2nd dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
- MCV is to be given at 16 years or older to count as the 12th grade dose
School Physical & Health Requirements
PHYSICAL EXAMS
A comprehensive health examination is required at the start of the school year:
- upon original entry into school (usually when entering Kindergarten or 1st grade)
- 6th Grade
- 11th Grade
If needed, the physical form is linked, here.
DENTAL EXAMS
A comprehensive health examination is required at the start of the school year:
- upon original entry into school (usually when entering Kindergarten or 1st grade)
- 3rd Grade
- 7th Grade
If needed, the dental form is linked, here.
A school health and/or dental examination will be conducted if proof of a private exam is not submitted to your school nurse.
The district will accept reports of privately conducted physical and dental examinations completed within one year prior to a student’s entry into the grade where an exam is required.
example: If a student in entering 6th grade in August, 2021, a private physical exam will be accepted as long as it is dated on or after July 1. 2020.
Medication Administration at School Information and Form
Medications should be scheduled around school hours if possible.
The Medication Administration Form for all medications to be given at school can be found at the top of this page.
Medication Orders
Medications orders are required from a physician/licensed provider for all medications to be given at school. This includes prescription, over the counter and herbal remedies.
The order from the licensed provider must include:
- Student’s name
- Name, signature and phone number of the licensed provider
- Name of medication
- Route and dosage of the medication
- Frequency and time of medication administration
- Date of the order and discontinuation date if applicable
- Specific directions for administration if necessary
Medication Packaging/Delivery
A parent/guardian or a responsible adult designated by the parent/guardian should deliver all medications to the school. The medication must be in the original pharmacy labeled bottle or packaging or over the counter packaging including medication, name dosage and frequency of administration.
For prescription medications the label must include:
- Name, address, telephone number and Federal DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number of the pharmacy
- Patient name
- Directions for use (dosage, frequency, time of administration, route, and any special instructions)
- Name and registration number of the licensed prescriber
- Prescription serial number
- Date originally filled
- Name of medication and amount dispensed
- Controlled substance statement when applicable
- Medications in plastic bags or containers other than their original pharmacy container are not acceptable
Medication Pick-Up
A parent/guardian or a designated adult will be responsible to pick up any unused medication at the end of each school year or if it is discontinued. Any medication not retrieved by the last student day will be disposed of.
Children will be permitted to carry epinephrine auto-injectors and inhalers home on the last day of school if they already have orders to carry medications at school. Any epinephrine auto-injectors and inhalers not retrieved by the last student day will be disposed of.
New School Year
A new prescription is required at the beginning of every school year for medication that is taken or available at the school on a long term basis. Medication orders from a physician/ licensed prescriber are valid for one school year and the summer only.
Health Screenings
PA State Law mandates annual health screenings for every student in public school. Students will be screened for height, weight, vision yearly and hearing for grades KG, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 11th. Any student unable to pass hearing or vision screenings will bring home a referral paper indicating the results and recommending medical follow-up.
Exemption from Immunization
Pennsylvania Code §23.84 Exemption from Immunization
- MedicalExemption.Children need not be immunized if a physician or the physician's designee provides a written statement that immunization may be detrimental to the health of the child. When the physician determines that immunization is no longer detrimental to the health of the child, the child shall be immunized according to this subchapter.
- ReligiousExemption.Children need not be immunized if theparent,guardian or emancipated child objects in writing to the immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of strong moral or ethical conviction similar to religious belief.
Statement of Exemption to Immunization Law Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Form
Health Related Action Plans
When to Keep Your Child Home from School
When to keep your child home from school:
Children learn best when they are healthy. Please do not send your child to school sick. Here are some guidelines to help you to know when to keep your child home.
Appearance/Discomfort
If your child appears unusually tired, irritable, pale or has an unusual lack of appetite.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Because of the extremely contagious nature of Bacterial Pink Eye, we ask you to consult your doctor before sending your child to school with the following symptoms: thick mucus or pus draining from eye, if eye is red, puffy, itchy or painful.
Diarrhea
If your child has had three or more watery stools in a 24 hr period, especially if your child acts or looks ill, it is recommended that they do not come to school.
Fever
A temperature of 100.0 or higher is an indication that your child could be contagious. Giving a child Tylenol or Ibuprofen will bring the temperature down, and make them more comfortable, but it will not prevent them from passing their illness on to classmates. Please keep them home until they are fever free for 24 hours.
Rash
A child with an unidentified body rash should be kept home. If you have a physician’s note stating that it is a "non-contagious rash" and they are not too uncomfortable to focus they may return.
Vomiting
If your child has vomited within the past 24 hours, please keep them home.
Thank you for your cooperation.
If you have any questions, please contact your School Nurse.