Health Services

Parents should confer with the child’s physician to arrange medication time intervals to avoid school hours whenever possible. No medication, other than those on the list sent home at the beginning of each school year, may be administered without written authorization from the physician and the parent/guardian.

When medication absolutely must be taken during school hours, the parent or guardian must submit a written request, signed by the physician and parent, to the school nurse in order for their child to take any medication. The appropriate form and related letter may be found in the nurse’s office.

Handling and Storage of Medications in the School:
We prefer that:

• The parent bring the medicine to school. The medication must be in the original container and properly labeled. If necessary, request a duplicate bottle from the pharmacist. The medication and the written request should be delivered directly to the school nurse, school principal or his/her designee. The amount of medication stored by the school should be limited based on the length of time medications are to be taken.
• All medication will be kept in a locked cabinet in the health room of the school. Medications requiring refrigeration will be stored in the health room refrigerator.

Administration of Medications During School Hours

• Students will be responsible for reporting to the nurse’s office at the time the medication is to be taken.
• The school nurse, principal or his/her designee will supervise the taking of the medication by the student.
• Prescription drug logs will be kept for any child receiving prescription medicine on an ongoing basis.
• Unused medications will be returned to parents for disposition and must be picked up by the parent.
• Any change in dosage of medication will be recognized only on receipt of written notice of change from the family physician and the parent.

Medication Permission Form and Individualized Health Care Plan Form:

• Physicians Medicine Order Form

VIEWING STUDENT BMI IN SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS

1. Log in to Family Access
2. Choose the student/child you wish to view.
3. Along the left side of the screen, click on Health Info (at the bottom)
4. Next, choose Display Options and choose Show Physical Exams, this gives the Ht, Wt, and BMI %

BMI categories fall within the following percentile ranges:

• Within normal range = 5% - 85%
• Underweight = below 5%
• At Risk for Overweight = 85% - 95%
• Overweight = 95% and above

​What do the results mean?
If your child is on the very low end of the percentile scale (for example, the 5th percentile), you may be concerned that your child is too small. This may be normal for your child. But if you are concerned, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can check your child to make sure that he or she is growing as expected.

Often parents of very small children push their children to eat more because they are concerned about their growth. This can cause problems. The child may eat less. Talk about your child's weight with your doctor. As long as your child is growing normally, you can relax a little about feeding him or her.

If your child is on the upper end of the percentile scale (for example, the 95th percentile), you may be concerned that your child is too big. This may be normal for your child. But if you are concerned, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can check your child to make sure that he or she is growing in a healthy way.
Parents of larger children are sometimes tempted to feed their children less food, to keep them from gaining too much weight. This doesn't work. When food has been restricted, the child may overeat when he or she gets the chance. Again, it is good to discuss your child's weight with a doctor who can help you see if your child's growth is within his or her normal pattern.

Your child's growth over time is the most important thing to think about when you are concerned about what your child's weight should be at any age. Your child's doctor will decide what your child's weight should be, based on what your child's growth pattern has been over time.

What is the Flu?
The flu is caused by the influenza virus, which infects the lungs, nose and throat
Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and sometimes, can lead to death
Each year in the United States:

• 5-20 percent of Americans fall ill to the flu
• Children are two to three times more likely than adults to get sick with the flu, and they frequently spread the virus to others

Young children are at the greatest risk for 
developing serious flu complications, as well as the elderly and those with certain health conditions

How Does Flu Spread?
There are two ways to get the flu. Usually, flu is spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Occasionally, people can get the flu from touching a germ-infested surface

What are the Common Symptoms of Flu?
Often we get confused about the symptoms of the flu and how they are different from a common cold. Knowing the symptoms of the flu is important and will help you act quickly to get your child feeling better faster

Common symptoms of flu include: high fever, severe headache, muscle and body aches, exhaustion and dry cough

• Children often have additional flu symptoms that  are rare in adults, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Symptoms of a common cold include: stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and hacking cough

Simple Steps for Keeping Your Child Healthy

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to prevent your child from getting the flu is to take him/her to get a flu vaccine

You should talk to your child about practicing good health habits, such as:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
• Covering mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, and disposing of the tissue in a proper trash receptacle
• Avoiding sharing drinks, water bottles, or silverware with others

You can help prevent the flu from spreading at home by disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, toys, and other commonly shared items

Also, if someone in your household gets the flu, a doctor can prescribe a medication – called an antiviral – that can actually prevent other members of the household from catching the flu

• Studies show that some antiviral medications are up to 92 percent effective in preventing the flu when taken once daily for seven days

If you are concerned about your child’s flu symptoms, call your doctor early. Call your doctor immediately if your child has a chronic disease. Some children may benefit from an antiviral medication, which can be prescribed by a physician and can help lessen the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. To be effective, antiviral medication must be taken within 48 hours after flu symptoms begin

If your child has the flu, it is important for them to stay home from school, rest, and drink plenty of fluids

Additionally, notify the school nurse if your child has the flu. Monitoring flu incidence in our school will help keep students, faculty, and our community healthy

• Physicians Medication Order
• Medical Release Form
• Medical Release From Spanish
• Adaptive Physical Education Form
• Dietary Needs Form

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Adults and children who meet the requirements to receive immunizations can call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) to schedule an appointment.  A parent/legal guardian must accompany children who are receiving a vaccination.  Department of Health staff will need to be notified prior to the appointment of someone other than the child’s parent/legal guardian who will be accompanying him/her.

• School Required Vaccinations Spanish
• Immunization Form

• PA Department of Health
• ​CHIP 
• Administration of Medication 
• ​Apply for ACCESS/medical assistance via COMPASS

Please click on this link to watch this short video of how to access your child's nurse office visits in Skyward Family Access.  

PHYSICAL AND DENTAL EXAMS

Physical Examinations: The Pennsylvania Public School Code Section 1402. Health Services (e) requires that students upon original entry, sixth grade and 11th grade be given a "comprehensive appraisal" of their health. The physical is to be completed within 4 months prior to the start of the school year. 

• Physical Examination Form 
• Physical Examination Form - Spanish 

Dental Health Program: 28 PA Code (regulations) 23.3(a)* states "Dental examinations shall be required on original entry into school and in grades three and seven."

• Dental Health Form

Free and Low Cost Health Services

For more information, please click on the link below:

• Free and Low Cost Health Services

• Tools for Kids with Food Allergies
• What Parents Need to Know About the Flu
• Influenza Guide
• Understanding Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Head Lice Brochure
• Bed Bug Fact Sheet

Each school year the following health screenings are provided for each student:

• Vision Screening to check far and near vision, 
• Color Vision and Stereo Depth Perception (Grade 1 or new students not previously screened)
• Height and Weight, BMI 
• Hearing Screening (Grades K,1, 2, 3, 7 and 11)
• Scoliosis Screening (Grades 6 and 7) 

In October of 2018, the PA School Code was amended to include sun protection measures for students. Section 1414.10 (2) of the PA School Code allows for the use of a non-aerosol topical sunscreen product by students in school.  The Pennsylvania Department of Education has provided guidelines to each district along with forms that are to be used for the application of non-aerosol over-the-counter sunscreen.  This change now requires the following:

1. Only non-aerosol, non-prescription sunscreen can be applied by the nurse or self-applied by the student during school or at a school event.
2. A parent or guardian must complete the Conewago Valley School District non-aerosol, permission form and must provide the non-aerosol, non-prescription sunscreen, sent inside a ziplock bag, to the school nurse.  If your child is not able to apply sunscreen, you must check the appropriate boxes on the parent permission form and send the completed and signed form along with the sunscreen to the school nurse. Parent-Guardian Sunscreen Form English & Spanish
3. If you would like your student to carry and self-apply the non-aerosol, non-prescription sunscreen, you must also have your student complete a student sunscreen form and submit that along with your parent permission form to the school nurse.  Student Sunscreen Form English & Spanish

• Sunscreen Form for Parent/Guardian (English and Spanish)
• Sunscreen Form for Students (English and Spanish)

Act 117 - Parental Education of Type 1 Diabetes