Health Information

Routine Screenings and Examinations

 Students in the Chichester School District are scheduled to receive mandated screening examinations in accordance with the following schedule:

The Chichester School District recommends that all medical and dental examinations be administered by the family physician and dentist since they can best evaluate the child’s health and assist in obtaining necessary treatment and corrections. In the case of financial need, any child not seen by a private physician or dentist for the mandated medical and dental examinations will be scheduled to be seen by the school physician and dentist.

All students who are entering Chichester School District as transfers from other school districts are required to have current medical and dental examinations.

Emergency Care

The school nurse is responsible only for the emergency care of injuries and sudden illness that occur while the student is in school. The nurse is not available to diagnose or treat students who come to school with prior injuries or illnesses except in special cases under medical care and with the physician’s written orders. Except for unusual or emergency circumstances, parents are responsible for transporting the ill or injured student to his/her home, the doctor or the hospital.

 Immunization Requirements 

Pennsylvania legislation requires that all children at any grade, kindergarten through 12^th, including all public, private, parochial, intermediate unit and home schooled students, show proof of immunization before they can attend school in the Commonwealth, unless an exemption for medical or religious reasons is granted.  Medical or religious exceptions can be explained by the school nurse.

The following minimum immunizations are required at all grade levels:

a) Diphtheria and Tetanus – Three or more properly spaced doses of DTP, DtaP, Td or DT, or any combination of the three.

b) Polio – Three or more properly spaced doses of polio vaccine, (IPV or OPV).

c) Measles (Rubeola) – One dose of live attenuated measles containing vaccine (preferably MMR) administered at 12 months of age or older, AND a second measles immunization (preferably MMRII), or measles immunity proved by serological testing.

d) German Measles (Rubella) – One dose of live attenuated rubella containing vaccine (preferably MMR) administered at 12 months of age or older or rubella immunity proved by serological testing.

e) Mumps – One does of live attenuated mumps containing vaccine (preferably MMR) administered at 12 months of age or older.

All students entering school for the first time in kindergarten or first grade must have the following additional immunizations: A fourth diphtheria-tetanus immunization (given as DPT, DtaP,Td, or DT) administered after the child’s fourth birthday; three properly spaced doses of hepatitis B vaccine and proof of varicella (chickenpox) immunization or a written statement of having had the disease.

All students entering grade seven are, in addition, required to show proof of Hepatitis B and varicella (chickenpox) immunity. Accepted as proof are three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine, properly spaced and documented in writing by the physician, or for adolescents aged 11-15 years, a properly spaced two-dose series documented in writing by the physician. Dose 1 and 2 must be separated by 4-6 months. Accepted as proof of varicella immunity are age-appropriate dose(s) of varicella vaccine (one dose administered at 12 months of age or older, or two doses of vaccine administered at age 13 or older), documented in writing by a physician or a written laboratory report of immunity or a written statement that a child has had varicella disease. A parent, guardian, health care provider, physician or physician’s designee may write this statement.

Other Reasons for Exclusion From School

Chichester School District, in addition, reserves the right to exclude children from school with the following conditions:

• Illness that prevents a child from participating in activities.
• Fever of 100 F or higher.  Students should return when free of fever, without fever medication, for 24 hours.
• Diarrhea or vomiting during the previous 24 hours.  Students should return when appetite has returned to normal.
• Rash with a fever.
• Other conditions identified through assessment by the certified and/or staff nurse.