Quick Links

• American Diabetes Association

• Act 117 Parent Education of Type I Diabetes

• Type I Diabetes Parent Fact Sheet

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest - Act 73 Peyton's Law

• Tick/Lyme Information for Schools

• Tick Testing Information

• School Vaccination Requirements

• Epilepsy Association

• Food Allergy Research and Education

• Pennsylvania Department of Health - School Health

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Mental Health and Well Being

• Healthy Children

• American Academy of Pediatrics

The School Health Program

The School Health Program facilitates the healthy growth and development of the students. The program encompasses a range of services, from state mandated health screenings and examinations, health education, treatment of acute and chronic conditions, medication administration, maintenance of student health records including immunizations and compliance with regulation requirements. Through collaboration with parents/guardians, school staff, and healthcare professionals, students are provided with the best possible care to promote optimal health and well-being, assisting with academic success in school.

School Health Offices
Elementary School - Telephone -  814-446-5615 #1319    Fax 814-446-4210
Jr/Sr. High School  - Telephone -  814-446-5615 #2339    Fax 814-446-6615

School Health Staff

Mrs. Theresa Brady, MSN, BSN, RN, CSN

• Saint Francis University - Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Master of Science degree in Nursing

• Eastern University-School Nurse Certification 

Mrs. Kristy McKnight, MEd, BSN, RN, CSN 

• Mount Aloysius College- BSN in Nursing

• Eastern University- CSN & MEd in School Health Services

Health Appraisal
The Pennsylvania Public School Code requires certain school health services for all children of school age. Children are required to have the following state mandated school health appraisal:
1. Medical Exam - given on school entry, sixth grade and eleventh grade
2. Dental Exam - given on school entry, third grade and seventh grade
3. Hearing Screening - given yearly in kindergarten, first, second, third, seventh and eleventh grades
4. Vision Screening - given yearly at each grade level
5. Scoliosis (lateral back curvature) - given in sixth and seventh grades
6. Growth screening - all grade levels. Students are weighed and measured yearly as a general nutritional evaluation. Body mass index percentage levels are calculated and mailed home as required by the PA Department of Health.
****Dental and Physical forms can be printed from the school district's website under the FORMS tab or by following this link: United School Health Forms

Pennsylvania School Immunization Requirements
Children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following immunizations for attendance:

• 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis * (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)

• 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after the 4th birthday and at least 6 months after the previous dose given)

• 2 dose of measles, mumps, and rubella**

• 3 doses of hepatitis B

• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

7th through 12th grade need additional immunization requirements for attendance:

• 2 doses meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) First dose is given 11-15 years of age; a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade. If the dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required.

• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)

*Usually given as DTaP or DTP or DT or Td,
**Usually given as MMR

Exemptions to the school laws for immunizations are:

• medical reasons;

• religious beliefs; and 

• philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction

If your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be excluded from school during an outbreak -as per Pennsylvania Department of Health recommendations. 

A Certificate of Immunization is mandated in the School Health Office. Therefore, boosters to these vaccines should be reported to the School Health office staff.

Medication
The United School District has developed the following guidelines in order to cooperate with parents and their medical practitioners regarding the administration of medication during school hours.
1. All medication, prescription or non-prescription must have a written order from a physician. This follows the PA State Nurse Practice Act.
2. Prescribed medication must be received by the school in the prescription container as it was dispensed from the pharmacy. The prescription label must: have the student's name, name of medication, dosage, frequency of administration, and date it was dispensed.
It adds convenience for both parents and school if the pharmacist dispenses the medication in two containers, thereby allowing one prescription bottle to be brought to school and the other to remain at home.
3. The administration of non-prescription (over-the-counter) medication during the school hours is discouraged and can usually be adjusted to a time schedule around school hours.
4. A parent/guardian's written request for administration/permission to give the medication must also accompany the medication. This note should also include the time to be given, date to begin and date to discontinue.
5. Medication must be brought directly to the Health Room. Students are not permitted to carry medication during school hours unless directed by a physician.

****Medication and Health Care Plan forms can be printed from the school district's website under the FORMS tab or by following this link: United School Health Forms. 

The Health Care Plan forms available on the forms website include: Asthma Action Plans, Seizure Action Plans, Food Allergy Action Plans and Bee/Non-Food Allergy Action Plans.