Illness
When you child is ill please keep him/her home. Children who run a fever, vomit, experience diarrhea, coughing, sore throat, or other cold/flu related symptoms are not ready for a rigorous day at school. The child needs at least 20-24 hours to recover. Please supply a written excuse to the Attendance Office upon the child's return.

Exclusion
On occasion, a child may be suspected of having a health condition which may be contagious and warrant examination by the family doctor. In these instances, the school may issue a "Health Exclusion Form" which requires the family doctor to complete before the child can be readmitted to school.

Excuse from Outdoor Play
A child healthy enough to attend school is considered healthy enough to participate in playground and physical education activities and will be expected to participate. Special consideration will be given to students who have health problems documented by a physician.

Medication
Children are not permitted to carry or take any medication at school without a doctor’s order and parent permission. This policy includes prescription and "over-the-counter" medication. If you have any questions, please contact the School Nurse. Click here to read the school policy on administration of medicine.

First Aid
If a minor accident occurs in school, first aid will be administered. No treatment beyond first aid will be given. In more serious cases, the parent will be notified.

Health Room
A Health Room is available for students who are ill or need medical assistance. The nurse and/or health room assistant will be on staff to assist students.

Saucon Valley School District has several AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Units within the campus complex. The locations are listed below. An AED Unit can be located in or near that area.

• Stadium
• High School Audion
• High School Gymnasium
• High School Cafeteria
• High School Nurse
• Middle School Gym Lobby
• Middle School Library
• Elementary/MS Nurse
• Elementary Main Entrance Lobby
• Elementary Gym Lobby

In addition to the AED units listed above, additional portable AED units have been purchased for Athletic Trainers to carry with them at outdoor events.

Dental Examinations
The state of Pennsylvania requires dental examinations for all school children upon original school entry, Kindergarten, or Grade 1, Grade 3 and Grade 7. Parents may choose whether to have the child examined by the School Dentist or family dentist. Dental forms are provided to parents.

Hearing Screening
Hearing tests are performed annually by the School Nurse for children in Kindergarten through Third Grade and then 7th grade. Children with previous identified hearing problems are also examined. Classroom teachers may also refer children for hearing tests.
Vision Screening
The School Nurse administers vision tests to all students annually and any concerns are reported to parents.

Growth Screening
Growth screening is performed annually on children in Kindergarten-12th grade. The growth exam is the measurement of the student’s height and weight. The school nurse will use these measurements and compute the BMI (body mass index) and parents will be notified of the results.

Medical Examinations
The School Health Law requires medical exams for children upon original entry to school, either Kindergarten or First Grade. These grades are selected because they represent critical periods of growth and development. In addition students in grades 6 and 11 are required to have a medical exam as well. Parents may wish to have the family physician examine the child and complete the required forms or have the child examined by the School Doctor.

Scoliosis Screenings
School law requires that a screening for scoliosis be performed on all children in grades 6 and 7. The Saucon Valley School District will conduct a scoliosis screening program each year during the month of March. The purpose of the screening program is to detect possible curvature of the spine in children. If the condition is detected early and appropriately treated, progressive spinal deformity may be prevented. If you have any objections to having your child participate in the screening program please inform the school nurse in writing. For more information about the screening process please click here.

The Procedures outlined were developed according to the guidelines set forth by the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education. The purpose of this policy is to provide a safe and effective system for monitoring the administration of medication in school. 

Requests for Medication Administration

1. Whenever possible, the parent/guardian should notify the school nurse in advance that the child will need medication. Medication will then be administered during school hours when the following conditions have been met.

• The medication is prescribed or ordered by a physician and according to that order, the medication must be given during school hours. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• The parent/guardian and physician must complete and sign the medication dispensing instruction form.
• The medication must be sent to school in the original prescription container with a child-proof cap or in the container in which it was purchased, if it is an over-the-counter medication.
• When medication administration is initiated, the parent/guardian and school nurse will decide whether the student will self-administer the medication as supervised by a designated monitor. If self-administration is agreed upon, the parent/guardian will sign a permission.

2. Amounts of medication to send to school

• A 1-2 week supply of medication will be accepted for self-limited, acute illnesses.
• A 2-4 week supply is permissible for students with long-term chronic illnesses.

Delivery of Medication

1. The following procedure will be followed for the delivery of medication to the school nurse by the parent/guardian, responsible adult, or student:

• In the absence of the school nurse or health room assistant, medication will be delivered to the school secretary.
• Medication received will be recorded on the back of the individual student medication administration log with the date and amount of medication delivered. This log will be signed by the person delivering and receiving the medication.
• When someone other than the parent/guardian brings the medication to school, it must be placed in a sealed envelope with a signed parent/guardian note indicating the amount of medication.

2. Students in grades K-5 who receive Ritalin, Dexedrine, Clonodine, or any other medication used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder may NOT bring their mediation to school. It must be delivered by an adult.

Although these guidelines may seem strict, teaching young children proper habits about handling and taking medication is an important educational tool in helping to prevent future drug abuse. If you have any questions regarding this policy or if you feel an exception should be made, please call the nurse anytime to discuss it.

If your children are not covered by any health insurance plan please contact CHIP at CHIPcoversPAkids.com or 1-800-986-KIDS for information on the Blue Chip Program for un-insured children, birth to 18 years.

CHip Flyer (english)  Chip Flyer (Spanish)

Additionally, you can head to the Department of Human Services website for additional CHIP Insurance-related information.

Each year our school offers a very reasonable cost insurance plan, which will protect students and parents from financial burdens, which might be created by an accident in school. It will pay the medical bills within the limit outlined in the policy. 

K‐12 Voluntary Student Accident Insurance

AG Administrators Claim Form

• Please click here to read our policy on Severe Food Allergies.

  Please click here to read our letter to all parents regarding Peanut Allergies.

The new school immunization regulations have been updated. For all of the details please Immunization requirements. 

The nurses and staff want to keep your children as safe as possible while at school. If your child has any of the following conditions please complete the appropriate emergency action plan with your doctor and bring it to the school nurse as soon as possible. Please send in any medication (along with a completed district medication form) which is indicated as well.

• Diabetes/Hypoglycemia
• Diabetes/Hyperglycemia
• Diabetes (condensed)
• Asthma
• Severe Food Allergy
• Anaphylaxis (other severe allergy)
• Seizures
• SVT (Cardiac)

Type 1 Diabetes Parent Fact Sheet and Information

Hoja informativa e información para padres sobre diabetes tipo 1 (Español)