Students who become sick or who are injured at school will receive First Aid and can rest for a short time in the nurse’s office.  Parents will be contacted if there is a need for further treatment.  Please keep the school nurse updated if there are any new health concerns, medical diagnoses or prescribed medicines that may affect your child at school.  This information is especially important in emergency situations.

In the event of a serious medical emergency, 911 will be called, and the student will be transported to the hospital via ambulance.

Injuries that do not occur at school are not the responsibility of the school nurse. By law, school nurses are not permitted to diagnose illnesses or injuries, so parents are asked to refrain from sending their child to the health office for diagnosis or treatment of these injuries.

Prior to the beginning of each school year, parents/guardians are required to complete the Information Update, which includes the student medical information section, in SchoolAdmin for each of your students.   You must log into your SchoolAdmin parent portal account to complete the Information Update.  Even if no information has changed, you must complete the Information Update.  Please contact Maria Faragalli at mfaragalli@vmahs.org should you have any issues completing this update.

Please notify the school if any changes occur in your child’s information during the school year.

*If a parent plans to be out of town, the school asks that the Main Office be notified and specific information regarding emergency contact be given.*

Grade 9

• A physical exam with current immunizations is required for all students by August 15. (See physical form.)

Grade 10

• No exam is required.

Grade 11

• A physical exam with current immunizations is mandated by the state of  Pennsylvania by August 15. (See physical form.)

Grade 12

• A 2nd MCV (Meningococcal) vaccine is required by the state of Pennsylvania by August 15.  No examination is required.

Required for all incoming students*

• 4 doses — DTAP  (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis)

• 4 doses — IPV (Polio)

• 2 doses — MMR (Measles, mumps and rubella)

• 2 doses — Varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

• 3 doses — Hepatitis B

• 1 doses — MCV  (meningococcal conjugate) by 7th grade

• 1 dose — TDAP  (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis) by 7th grade

By age 16 or Grade 12

• A 2nd dose of MCV  (meningococcal conjugate) Required by August 15
   

*No exemptions will be granted

 

• Freshman Physical Exam Form (standard, non-athletic)
• Upperclassman Physical Exam Form (standard, non-athletic)
• Dental Form
• Authorization to give medication at school
• Self-Carry Medication Form
• Allergy Action Plan
• Asthma Action Plan
• Bee Sting Allergy Action Plan
• Seizure Action Plan
• Concussion Form

Acetaminophen (generic Tylenol), Ibuprofen (generic Advil/Motrin),  TUMS,  Benadryl, and lozenges may be dispensed in the health room at the discretion of the School Nurse.  *Benadryl is to be administered only in an emergency.*

A parent/guardian must give permission annually in order for these medications to be administered. 

Asthma inhaler and/or Epi-pen can be carried with students.  A Self-Carry Medication Form must be completed by the student’s health care provider.

All medication, both prescription and non-prescription, that is sent into school must have a physician's written order with it, in order for the school nurse to dispense the medication. All medications must be brought directly to the nurse's office. 

All prescription and non-prescription medications must be stored in their original containers in a locked cabinet in the health office. Parent and physician requests for medication administration (both prescription and non-prescription) must be renewed each school year. Every effort should be made to give all doses of medication at home. 

Medication:

• Must be accompanied by a physician's signed, written instructions in order for the school nurse to dispense;

• Must also be accompanied by written consent from the parent on an "Authorization to Give Medication at School" form;

• Must be sent in the original, clearly labeled container that shows an expiration date. Medication will not be given if it is removed from its original container;

• Medication authorization forms must be submitted every school year and for any change in medication.

When to stay home from Villa Maria:

Exclusion of a sick student/staff:

• Fever, especially with a new rash.

• Persistent vomiting.

• Persistent diarrhea.

• Sores that are draining fluid.

• Worsening respiratory virus symptoms (stuffy or runny nose, cough, sore throat) not caused by something else, like allergies.

When to return to Villa Maria:

Strep Throat:

• A student/staff with strep throat should stay home from school until they are no longer feverish and have been taking antibiotics for at least 12 to 24 hours.

Covid-19

• A student/staff can return to school when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true: Symptoms are getting better overall and there is no fever.  A mask is not required to return to school.

Pertussis

• Students/staff should be excluded from school until they have completed 5 days of antibiotic treatment.

General illness return:

• No fever for 24 hours.

• Open sores are crusted over and under medical treatment.

• Diarrhea has improved.

• Respiratory symptoms are getting better overall for 24 hours.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania “Preventing Respiratory Viruses(and other illnesses) in K-12 Schools”.