HEALTH SERVICES
Welcome to MITCS Health Services. A student’s health is directly related to his or her ability to learn. The school health program at MITCS is designed to promote student, staff, and community wellness. The school nurse supports student success by providing health care through screenings, assessment, intervention, collaboration and follow-up for all the children within the school setting. Our goal is to assure a safe, healthy environment that is conductive to learning and provide professional care for those who become ill or injured while at school. Ultimately, through the collaboration of the family, school and community, our students today will become healthy and productive adults in the future.
Contact Information
School Nurse's Office
724-510-0944 Extension 111
724-660-4075 FAX
Office hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Policy & Resources
MITCS does not mandate the use of masks by students and staff. Students may wear a mask if they choose. On August 11, 2022, the CDC updated its COVID-19 guidance. This includes what actions to take if you are exposed to COVID-19 and what actions to take if you are sick or test positive for the virus. Please note the following links for more information.
> Review the CDC’s Isolation and Precautions for People With COVID-19
> Review the CDC’s What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19
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Important Health Information For New Students
Immunization Requirements
Students in all grades are required to have an up to date immunization record on file prior to starting school. A second dose of MCV for students entering Grade 12th. Always ask for a copy of physical exam and immunization reports after any physical to avoid copy charges at a later date. Keep a copy for your records and return a copy to the school nurse for school health files. This needs to be turned into the school, via e-mail, fax or mail before the start of the school year or your student will be excluded until confirmation of vaccination.
Grade 11 Physicals
Pennsylvania school law requires school physicals for students entering Grade 11. This is a graduation requirement. Either the school doctor or the family doctor may do the exams. School policy states that we will accept any physical done within one year prior to a student’s entry into the grade where an exam is required. That is, we will accept any private physical done from August (start of Grade 10 year) to the spring of the Grade 11. A copy of student’s permit or license will suffice as proof of physical examination, as this is required to get license. If you have an appointment over the summer, we suggest you print a copy of the Physician Form below and have them fill it out at the time of appointment. This will avoid a copy charge at a later date.
Medications
Students are not permitted to keep medication on their person or in lunch boxes, lockers, purses. The only exceptions are epi-pens or asthma inhalers, but must have physician order and parental consent form on file in office. Any medication that is ordered to take on a daily and/or as needed basis during school hours must be brought to the health office in the original pharmacy bottle/packaging and physician order/parent permission form must be on file in the health office. A physician order/parental consent form is needed for both prescription and over-the-counter medications, along with any treatment/procedure. Do not send medication in with the student unless all paperwork has been submitted. There is a standing order on file written by our school physician allowing the administration of Tylenol/Ibuprofen with parent permission. There is a limit of 10 doses total for the school year, so if you feel your child may require more than that, please have your private physician write an order for that medication. If you have an appointment over the summer, please ask the physician to write an order for the upcoming school year for any medication required. You can download and print form for the physician to complete.
All Health related information and forms can be downloaded below
General Health
> Download the Annual Health Form
> Download Medical Plan of Care for Children with Disabilities & Special Dietary Needs
> Apply for high-quality health care coverage from CHIP
> Download and review the MITCS Wellness Policy
Medication
School policy for administration of medication by school personnel is based on Pennsylvania State Law as well as administrative guidelines issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Students are NOT permitted to keep medication on their person or in lunch boxes, lockers and/or purses. The only exceptions are epi-pens or asthma inhalers, but must have physician order and parental consent form on file in office. Any medication that is ordered to take on a daily and/or as needed basis during school hours must be brought to the health office in the original pharmacy bottle/packaging
Only essential medication should be taken at school. Any medication required to take during the school day must be brought to the health office in the original prescription/packaging. A parent consent form and physician order must be on file. A new order/consent is required each school year.
Any medication (prescription and non-prescription) that is required on an “as needed” basis must be kept in the health office with physician order and parent consent on file. All medication must be in original labeled prescription or over the counter bottle/packaging.
There are standing orders for a list of OTC medications the nurse may administer if parent permission is indicated on the Emergency Care Card. There is a limit to the amount the nurse is able to give throughout the school year. If the student continues to require that medication (i.e. Tylenol/Ibuprofen), a medication order will need to be obtained from the student’s personal physician.
Medication orders may also be faxed directly to the school from the physician’s office.
Medications are not to be shared with other students. Violations will be dealt with according to discipline policy (See Student & Parent Handbook).
Do not send medications into school without all required paperwork on file, it will be sent back home with student.
> Download Authorization for Medications & Treatments Form
Physicals
Pennsylvania school law requires school physicals for students entering school Grade 11. Either the school doctor or the family doctor may do the exams. District policy states that we will accept any physical done within one year prior to a student’s entry into the grade where an exam is required. That is, we will accept any private physical done from August (start of Grade 10) to the date of the exam (Spring of Junior year). A copy of a driver’s permit or license may be accepted as proof of physical.
> Download PA Physical Examination Form
Asthma
Asthma, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is a chronic lung disease that inflames the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. Students may carry and self-administer their inhaler ONLY if following paperwork is on file in the health office each school year:
> Download Asthma Action Plan
> Download Authorization for Medications & Treatments Form
Allergy
An allergy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is an abnormal immune response to a certain substance that the body reacts to as harmful. A severe allergic reaction with rapid onset can be life threatening.These reactions are also known as anaphylaxis. The most common causes of anaphylaxis are food allergies and insect bites/stings. Students may carry their epi-pen ONLY if the following paperwork is on file in the health office each school year:
> Download Allergy Action Plan
> Download Authorization for Medications & Treatments Form
Diabetes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is defined as a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. The following paperwork must be on file in the health office each school year:
> Download Diabetes Action Plan
> Download Authorization for Medications & Treatments Form
Seizures
Seizure disorders, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDC), occur when abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes an involuntary change in body movement or function, sensation, awareness or behavior. The term seizure disorder can be used interchangeably with the term epilepsy. The following paper work must be on file in the health office each school year:
> Download Seizure Action Plan
> Download Authorization for Medications & Treatments Form
Immunizations
Pennsylvania’s school immunization requirements can be found in 28 PA Code Ch.23 (School Immunization). Proof of immunization means a written record showing the dates (month, day, year) your child was immunized. Please request an updated immunization record anytime a new immunization is given at the doctor’s office and turn in to the nurse.
Medical exemption
Children need not be immunized if a physician or designee provides a written statement that immunization may be detrimental to the health of the child. When the physician determines that immunization is no longer detrimental to the health of the child, the child shall be immunized according to this subchapter.
(Requires Physician’s signature.)
Religious exemption
Children need not be immunized if the parent, guardian or emancipated child objects in writing to the immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief. (Requires parent/guardian signature.)
If your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be removed from school during an outbreak.
> Download PA School Vacination Requirements
> Download PA Statement of Exemption to Immunization Law Form
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