School Nurse

Kennedy School Nurse
Megan Matthews
Phone: 570-735-6450 ext 3010
Fax: 570-735-4851
Email: [email protected]

Immunizations

In March of 2017, the Department of Health amended its regulations relating to school immunizations that became effective as of August 2017.

Children in grades K-12 need the following immunizations for entry:

  • 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
  • 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (1 dose after the 4th birthday)
  • 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella (also referred to as MMR)
  • 3 doses of hepatitis B
  • 2 doses of varicella(chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

Children in grades 7 and 12 need ADDITIONAL immunization requirements for attendance:

  • 2 doses meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) 

                        *First dose is required upon entry into 7th grade; a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade.

                        *If the first dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required.

  • 1 dose of Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) upon entry into 7th grade.


**If you fail to provide proof of the required immunizations, your child will be EXCLUDED after the first five days of the new school year**
PA Department of Health - School Immunization Requirements


Medication Policy

 The district does not dispense Tylenol, Tums, cough drops, or tissues. If you want your child to have access to Tylenol and/or Tums, please send the items in a bottle marked with your child’s name. A written permission note with your child’s name, parent’s name, teacher’s name, date, dosage, and your signature must accompany the medication. 

Special medications or prescriptions for students will only be administered to students as follows: 

          1.    We have specific written directions from a physician and the proper form is completed by the physician and the parent. Medication forms can be obtained from the school nurse. 
          2.    Daily medication should be provided on a weekly basis in a container which has the prescription on it. 
          3.    Medication required on a short-term basis must be in a bottle labeled with the child’s first and last names, date, teacher’s name, name of medication, time to be given, and amount to be given. Send only the amount needed for that day. Include a note with the directions, date, reason for medication, child’s full name, and parent’s signature. Please instruct your child to come to the nurse/office at the proper time for the medication and to take the bottle home.

The following form should be completed by the physician for medications, inhalers, and epi-pens.
Medication Form

The medication policy can also be found on page 19 in the Student Handbook
Student Handbook

Lice Policy

All students will be checked periodically for lice by our nursing staff. Reported cases and their classmates will be monitored on a regular basis.

Students identified as having lice will be excluded from school. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation for immediate exclusion. IN ORDER TO RETURN TO SCHOOL, ALL LICE AND NITS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE CHILD’S HAIR. AFTER TREATMENT, a child, accompanied by a parent/guardian may return to school the next day to be checked by the school nurse, who is the only person authorized to issue an admit slip for school and the bus. Upon receipt of the admit slip, the student should return to the office and present the admit slip to his/ her respective principal.

In order for students to be legally excused, all cases of head lice must be verified by a school district nurse. If this procedure is not followed, the absence will be deemed unexcused and will be referred to the district magistrate. If a child does not return after 3 days to be checked by the school nurse, the absences will be deemed illegal and referred immediately to the magistrate.

You may also refer to page 19 of the Student Handbook.
Lice Policy

Helpful Links
CDC Lice Information

Mandated Screenings

Under the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, all school-age children must participate in grade-specific health screenings each school year. Please be aware that all screenings completed through the GNA School District are considered screenings and should not be a substitute for regular checkups with your pediatrician. 

School nurses perform the following screenings: 

  • Height and Weight (BMI) - Checked annually in K through grade 12. 
  • Vision - Checked annually in K through grade 12. 
  • Hearing - Checked in K, 1,2,3,7, and 11. 
  • Scoliosis – Required in grades 6 and 7. 
  • Physical Examinations – Required in grades K, 1, 6th, and 11. 
  • Dental Examination - Required in grades K,1, 3, and 7. 

It is important to note that only those students with signed parental permission slips will participate in the scoliosis, physical, and dental examinations; Permission slips will be distributed. If you choose not to have your child participate in the scoliosis, physical, and/or dental examinations, you must provide the school with the results of an exam by a doctor of your choice. A private physician report for each screening will be provided for you that is relevant to your child’s grade level, and you must return it to the school upon completion. The school WILL NOT be responsible for the cost of the private exam.