Health Services & Nurses Department

Asthma is a chronic disease, which can be monitored and treated at school. If you would like to maintain any asthma medication or treatment measures at school, please complete the following form. Please note that both parent and physician must sign the document.

Click here for an Asthma Action Plan form.

Note: Secondary students whose parent, doctor, and school nurse decide are responsible enough to self-medicate as the doctor directs, may carry a rescue inhaler, if the proper paperwork and education has taken place. We recommend that a second inhaler be kept in the nurse’s office.

Dental examinations are required upon original entry into school (usually Kindergarten, 1st grade, or new to the district) and in 3rd and 7th grades. This requirement may be met by examination from the student’s primary dental provider or school dentist.

If you are unable to have a private dentist complete a dental examination of your child, the West Chester Area School District will provide a free dental examination if we receive your written permission. No treatments are done at this visit. It is a visual exam only.

Parents/guardians have 60 days from school entry to provide either permission for a school exam or a private dental report. Failure to comply with either permission for a school exam or a private exam report may result in school exclusion. Parents/guardians will be notified of missing documentation and possible exclusion if conditions are not met.

Download to print the Private Dentist Exam Report Form  and view a copy of the WCASD Dental Examination Permission Letter

The CCHD will only offer injectable vaccines at each clinic.

The CCHD is located at 601 Westtown Road, West Chester. Call CCHD at 1-800-692-1100 with any questions. Walk in clinic hours are Tuesdays and Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A parent/guardian must accompany a student and should bring the child’s vaccination records.

For more information, click here to view VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT and here for DECLARACION DE INFORMACIÓN DE VACUNA

Nurses

Each school year, parents must provide an allergy action plan as completed by a private physician; this document gives specific information regarding the allergy and medication orders. The school nurse will write an individual health plan (IHP) based on this documentation.   At the elementary age level, all medications are kept in the nurse’s office. Secondary school students may carry emergency auto-inject epinephrine as deemed appropriate by the physician, parent, and school nurse. Nurses have stock epinephrine in the event of an unexpected, undiagnosed anaphylactic reaction. Any questions regarding your child’s allergy plan can be directed to your building nurse.

Food Allergy Assessment Action Plan

Teachers

Teachers are notified of food allergies via the district electronic database and/or via the student's IHP/504. All staff members, including bus drivers have been trained on the topic of anaphylaxis and the use of auto-inject epinephrine. At the elementary level, alternative food choices for celebrations may be provided by parents of students with food allergies.

Cafeteria/Food Service

The cafeteria electronic system identifies students who have a plan for severe food allergies. This presents at the point of sale.

Transportation

Bus drivers are notified of children who have a plan for severe food allergies via the district database and Krapf.  WCASD Transportation policy states that there is no eating on the bus; bus drivers are trained to support this policy.

As of August 1, 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Health strengthened school immunization requirements. These changes are intended to further ensure that students are adequately protected against potential outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Students who do not meet vaccine requirements within five days of the start of school will not be permitted in school until the vaccine requirements are met. 

Vaccine Requirements

• 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
• 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella
• 3 doses of hepatitis B
• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity
• MCV and Tdap vaccine for all students in 7th through 12th grade.
• Second MCV for students entering 12th grade.

If you have questions about your child’s vaccination record, please consult your physician.  Your school nurse is also available to answer any questions.

To avoid confusion concerning the administration of medication(s) during school hours and/or school activities, the following requirements must be met before any medication is administered to your child while s/he is in school.

Prescription Medications - DAILY, TEMPORARY, SHORT TERM, and OCCASIONAL

1. A Health Care Provider's (M.D./D.O, CRNP) written order for the nurse must accompany the medication, including date, time of medication, and dosage.  A new order is required at the start of each school year. A pharmacy label and/or a stamped order do not meet the state requirements of a written HCP's signature. A new prescription order is also needed for any medication dosage or time change.  When a medication is discontinued, we also request the parent/ guardian provide us with a written order from the Health Care Provider.
2. A parent/guardian note and/or signature requesting medication administration as prescribed by the Health Care Provider must be provided.
3. Medication must be clearly labeled in the original, most current container from the pharmacy and the label must include:

1. 1. Student's Name, Medication, Dosage
   2. Instructions for Administration
   3. Health Care Provider's Name

 We suggest the pharmacist supply two labeled containers, one each for home and school.

Non-Prescription Medications

1. A Health Care Provider's (M.D./D.O, CRNP) written order for the nurse must accompany any medication other than generic Tylenol, antacids, and Benadryl for serious allergic reactions. (WCASD nurses already have standing orders for those three products from the district’s consulting physician). For example, a parent could provide the nurse at the start of the year with Advil and a doctor’s “PRN” order to “give student Mary X Advil 200 mg. q4 hours as needed for pain.”
2. A parent/guardian note requesting the medication administration with instructions must be provided.
3. For your child’s safety, medication must be in the original, labeled container.  The expiration date must be evident.
4. Only over the counter medications described in the current edition of the PDR for non-prescription, drugs will be administered.
5. Requirements also apply to homeopathic remedies and dietary supplements.

Daily, temporary, and short-term medications given less than 4x/day must be administered at home, unless otherwise ordered by the Health Care Provider.  Please notify your school nurse of any changes in your child's health status so that they can provide the best care. All information provided to a nurse is kept confidential.

Medication Authorization Form