Health Services

Camp Hill School District's Health Services Department is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment across our schools. Our school nurses are here to care for your child if they become ill or injured at school or if they have chronic health problems. School nurses provide other services, such as administering medication, providing health and wellness education, and serving as a resource to connect your child with agencies or providers in the community. Our school nurses work closely with families, teachers, counselors, and principals to support your child in the educational setting. It is important for us to partner together to have a safe and healthy school year!

Some general information related to our Health Services programming--

Any parent/guardian whose child has a medical condition which may affect them while at school should relay this information directly to the school nurse. If you would like to set up a meeting, please email or call your child's school nurse.
Please use our Student Information System (SIS) Parent Portal to update health data to include changes in medical conditions, permission for medications at school and telephone numbers. It will be very important to keep your phone numbers up to date the school year.
Essential student health forms are located in the Student Health Forms tab below. Please contact your child's school nurse for paper copies of the forms if you are unable to print them out.
All injuries that will require any special accommodations (restricted movement, no Physical Education classes or recess, etc.) while in school must have a primary care provider's excuse and orders for the requested accommodations.
Please have your child bring a refillable water bottle to school each day. We have water fill stations around the schools to keep them hydrated. No juice, sports drinks, sodas, or energy drinks should be brought to school.

To access more information and resources related to our Health Services policies and protocols, please review the tabs at the bottom of this page.

Health Services Staff

Mrs. Dena Higgins

Middle/High School Certified School Nurse

Mrs. Terri Craig

Eisenhower Elementary School Nurse

Mrs. Lindsay Taylor

Hoover Elementary School Nurse Long-term Substitute

Student Health Forms

Below are the various student health forms that are required across our District. Please submit completed forms to Mrs. Dena Higgins by email at dhiggins@camphillsd.k12.pa.us or by fax at 717-901-2614.

Common Medical Concerns/Illnesses for School-Aged Children

Below is a list of common medical concerns/illnesses for school-aged children. Each is hyperlinked to more information from the Center for Disease Control.

Influenza
Common Cold/Upper Respiratory Infection
Coronavirus/COVID-19
Strep Throat
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Pneumonia
Ringworm and Fungal Infections
Impetigo
Scabies
Fifth Disease
Head Lice
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
MRSA
Hand, Foot and Mouth
Mononucleosis
Measles
Tickborne Illnesses/Lyme Disease - Where to Send a Removed Tick

Medications

Our School Nurses are able to administer medication to students while at school per CHSD Board Policy 210. Parents/guardians can complete the annual standing orders agreement for various over-the-counter medications during the contact verification process in our Student Information System every August. The medications that can be approved to be administered at school includes:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Bacitracin (Antibiotic Ointment)
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Antacid (Tums)
Hydrocortisone Cream

All other student medications for administration during school hours should be brought to the school building's nurse's office by the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian must complete the District Medication Authorization Form under the Student Health Forms tab.

Nonprescription medication must be delivered in its original packaging and labeled with the student’s name.

Prescription medication shall be delivered in its original packaging and labeled with:

Name, address, telephone and federal DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) number of the pharmacy.
Student's name.
Directions for use (dosage, frequency and time of administration, route, special instructions).
Name and registration number of the licensed prescriber.
Prescription serial number.
Date originally filled.
Name of medication and amount dispensed.
Controlled substance statement, if applicable.

CHSD Board Policy 210 - Medications

Health Screenings

Physical Examinations

Required for students in grades Kindergarten, 6, and 11, as well as by the PIAA for all sports.
Physicals may be performed by your family's primary care provider or the District Medical Provider.
Physical forms can be downloaded under the Health Forms tab.

Dental Examinations

Required for students in grades Kindergarten, 3, and 7.
Dental examinations may be performed by your family's dentist or the District Dental Provider.
Dental forms can be downloaded under the Health Forms tab.

Height, Weight, and BMI

All students in grades Kindergarten through 12 receive a yearly screening.
BMI (body mass index) letters are sent to parents/guardians each school year.

Body Mass Index Information

Vision

All students are screened for near and far vision.
Students in grade 1 are screened for excessive farsightedness with the Plus Lens.
Students in grades 1 or 2 are screened for color deficit and depth perception.

Hearing

Students in grades Kindergarten, 3, 7, and 11 receive a hearing screening.

Scoliosis

Students in grades 6 and 7 are required to have a screening for scoliosis.

Please remember that screening programs do not replace the need for visits with your primary care provider. Children who fail screening are referred for further evaluation via a letter to parents or guardians.

Immunizations

Pennsylvania School Health Law (28 Pa. Code § 23.83) requires that students meet certain immunization requirements upon entry into school and at certain grade levels. Immunizations protect children against the potentially devastating effects of vaccine-preventable diseases. A child may still obtain medical, religious, or philosophical exemption from meeting the requirements. The immunizations required for entrance, 7th grade, and 12th grade continue to be required in each succeeding school year. All immunization records should be submitted to your child's school nurse via email or by appointment.

School Vaccination Requirements for Attendance in Pennsylvania Schools

For attendance in ALL GRADES, children will need the following:

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 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)**
2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella***
3 doses of hepatitis B
2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

* usually given as DTP or DTaP or if medically advisable, DT or Td

** a fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after the previous dose

*** usually given as MMR

ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, unless the child has a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, a child must have had at least one dose of the above vaccinations or risk exclusion.

If a child does not have all the doses listed above, needs additional doses, and the next dose is medically appropriate, the child must receive that dose within the first five days of school or risk exclusion. If the next dose is not the final dose of the series, the child must also provide a medical plan (red and white card) within the first five days of school for obtaining the required immunizations or risk exclusion.
If a child does not have all the doses listed above, needs additional doses, and the next dose is medically appropriate, the child must provide a medical plan (red and white card) within the first five days of school for obtaining the required immunizations or risk exclusion.
The medical plan must be followed or risk exclusion.

For attendance in 7TH GRADE, children will need the following:

1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) on the first day of 7th grade
1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of 7th grade

ON THE FIRST DAY OF 7TH GRADE, unless the child has a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, a child must have had at least one dose of the above vaccinations or risk exclusion.

For attendance in 12TH GRADE, children will need the following:

1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of 12th grade; if one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF 12TH GRADE, unless the child has a medical or religious/philosophical exemption, a child must have had at least one dose of the above vaccinations or risk exclusion.

These requirements allow for the following exemptions: medical reasons, religious beliefs, or philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction. Even if your child is exempt from immunizations, your child may be excluded from school during an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease.

28 Pa. Code Chapter 23.83 Immunization Requirements

Immunization Exemption Form

Sunscreen

Pennsylvania Assembly's Act 105 of 2018 - Sun Protection Measures for Students is a public school code that mandates that parents and students must each submit a permission form to the school for a student to self-carry and self-apply sunscreen. Parents/guardians and students who wish to use sunscreen at school should complete the Parent/Guardian Sunscreen Authorization Form and the Student Sunscreen Authorization Form under the Student Health Forms tab.

Students who are unable to self-apply sunscreen must have an order from the school physician or their primary care provider along with parental permission, as with any other over the counter medication.

Public School Code 105 - Sun Protection Measures for Students

Guidance for Keeping Sick Children Home from School

Each day many caregivers are faced with a decision: should they keep their sick children at home or send them to school? Often the way a child looks and acts can make the decision an obvious one.

The following guidelines should be considered when making the decision:

Fever: The child should remain home with a fever greater than 100 degrees. Children who develop a fever of greater than 100 degrees while at school must be picked up in a timely manner by a parent/guardian or authorized adult. The child can return to school after he/she has been fever free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin)
Diarrhea/Vomiting: A child with diarrhea and/or vomiting should stay at home and return to school only after being symptom free for 24 hours.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Following a diagnosis of conjunctivitis, the child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of prescribed medication.
Rashes: Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A child with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a health care provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the child's return to school.
Colds: A child with thick or constant nasal discharge should remain home. Very few younger children can effectively blow their noses and wash their hands afterward. A child with the above symptoms will quickly spread the illness to other children.

A sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in classes in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child opportunity to rest and recover.

Please send your child back to school with a note from the parent/guardian or health care provider if out of school 3 days or more.

Allergies & Asthma

Allergies

Supporting students with allergies in schools involves a multi-faceted approach, including developing emergency plans, educating staff and students, and creating a safe environment. Parental communication and collaboration in the development of allergy plans ensures that the school has all the necessary information and medications to address any potential reactions. Currently, 1 in 13 children has food allergies—that’s about two in every U.S. classroom. Everyone from the school nurse to the cafeteria staff plays a role in creating a safe environment for students with food allergies.

If your child has an allergy, it is essential that you communicate this with our school nurses immediately and include it in the annual contact verification update process in our Student Information System every August. Our school nurses will work closely with caregivers to develop an emergency plan for your child. An overview of the Bee Sting Allergy Emergency Action Plan and the Food Allergy Action Plan are located under the Student Health Forms tab. The District recognizes the need for some students to carry in their possession an epinephrine auto-injector to address potentially life-threatening reactions. In this case, CHSD Board Policy 210.1 allows for students to carry their own epinephrine auto-injector while at school if the Permission for Self-Administration of Inhaler or Epinephrine Auto-Injector Form located under the Student Health Forms tab.

Asthma

Asthma is a lung disease that causes your airways to swell and narrow, making it very hard to breathe. Most children who get asthma have their first symptom by age 5. If asthma isn’t well controlled, it can cause a variety of issues and complications. It can cause your child to miss school and even end up in the hospital. It’s important to have an asthma action plan to help manage your child’s condition.

If your child has a chronic condition like asthma, it is essential that you communicate this with our school nurses immediately and include it in the annual contact verification update process in our Student Information System every August. Our school nurses will work closely with caregivers to develop an emergency plan for your child. An overview of the Asthma Action Plan is located under the Student Health Forms tab. The District recognizes the need for some students to carry in their possession an inhaler to address potentially life-threatening reactions. In this case, CHSD Board Policy 210.1 allows for students to carry their own inhaler while at school if the Permission for Self-Administration of Inhaler or Epinephrine Auto-Injector Form located under the Student Health Forms tab.

CHSD Board Policy 210.1 - Possession/Administration of Asthma Inhalers/Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

Type 1 Diabetes

As part of our District’s commitment to the health and safety of our families and community members, we are providing information and resources about type 1 diabetes (T1D).

You may know someone in your life who has T1D, or you may currently be caring for a child with T1D. We recognize the great effort needed to care for someone with T1D and are committed to raising awareness about this condition so more families can receive the resources and support they need.

About T1D

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong disease that attacks healthy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas needed to regulate blood sugar. Without insulin, blood sugar cannot get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream, damaging the body. Unlike other types of diabetes, it is not preventable, and you cannot reduce your risk through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

Most people are not diagnosed until they begin experiencing symptoms in the final stage when blood sugar is higher than normal, and insulin dependence begins. Life-threatening complications may occur if they don't realize that symptoms are related to T1D and seek out medical care.

Common symptoms of T1D

People with T1D may experience symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, exhaustion and blurred vision, increased hunger, and mood changes.

Who is at risk?

T1D can affect people of all ages. According to the latest data in the CDC's National Diabetes Statistic Report, the prevalence of children and adolescents younger than 20 diagnosed with T1D is relatively low - about 1 in 300 U.S. youths. Having a parent, child, or sibling with T1D increases your risk by up to 15 times. However, approximately 90% of people diagnosed have no family history.

How do you know if you are at risk for T1D?

A blood test can help families identify risk for T1D early - as soon as proteins called autoantibodies start to attack healthy cells in the pancreas. This may be years before a person begins experiencing symptoms.

Why get screened?

While T1D cannot be prevented, early detection through screening can help individuals to:

Reduce the risk of life-threatening complications and hospitalization
Potentially contribute to research that helps the scientific community better understand the evolution of T1D and develop medications that can help slow the progression
Consider advances in therapy to modify the course of the disease
Better plan for and manage a potential diagnosis

We always recommend that you reach out to your child’s health care provider when you have concerns about your child’s health. For educational materials about T1D and T1D screening, see the section about Type 1 Diabetes under the Student & Family Resources tab.

Concussions

A concussion is a disturbance in the function of the brain caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. Concussions can result in a variety of symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, visual disturbances, hearing problems, drowsiness, irritability, and difficulty remembering or concentrating.

Camp Hill School District understands the seriousness of concussions and their impact on a student’s physical and mental health. We have implemented a Concussion Management Team to follow students that have sustained a concussion understanding that physical and cognitive rest is an important part of a student’s recovery. The Concussion Management Team consists of Symptom Monitors (School Nurses and Athletic Trainer) and Academic Monitors (Guidance Counselors). Together the Academic Monitor and Symptom Monitor will work with students and families to discuss symptoms and appropriate accommodations for the classroom and athletic field. The parent/guardian should work with the student's medical care provider to complete the Concussion Management Plan Physician Accommodation Form under the Student Health Forms tab.

If you have been told your child has a concussion, it is important to give the nurse or guidance counselor paperwork from the healthcare provider diagnosing a TBI or concussion. Academic and physical accommodations can be put in place to help your child during his or her recovery.

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

The Children's Health Insurance Program — or CHIP — is Pennsylvania's program to provide health coverage to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medicaid/Medical Assistance. Regardless of the reasons your children might not have health insurance, CHIP may be able to help you. There are a lot of reasons why kids or teens might not have health insurance —maybe their parents lost a job, don't have health insurance at work, or maybe other options just cost too much.

Whatever the reason, if your child or teen is uninsured and ineligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance, the Children's Health Insurance Program — or CHIP — may be able to help. Having high-quality, low-cost health insurance helps put your mind at ease.

How do I know if my child qualifies?

Based on your family size and income, your child or teen may be eligible if they meet the following requirements:

Under 19 years of age
A U.S. citizen, U.S. national or qualified alien
A resident of Pennsylvania
Uninsured and not eligible for Medical Assistance

To learn more, please review Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program website below.