State Requirements
Dental Health
A Dental exam is required upon entrance to school (Kindergarten or grade 1), third and seventh grades. Parents are urged to have these examinations performed by family dentists because they have the facilities in their offices to provide thorough examinations and are in the best position to recommend immediate steps for any needed care.
Parents/Guardians may request that the School District Dentist examine their child. There is no charge for the dental exam. Written permission from the parent/guardian must be provided. Download the permission form here.
Immunizations
Students must meet the the requirements of Pennsylvania Immunization law to attend school in Pennsylvania.
- School Vaccination Requirements for Attendance in Pennsylvania Schools
- More detailed information about PA immunization law can be found here.
We encourage you to contact your health care provider or the School Nurse if you have questions about your child’s immunizations. Your prompt cooperation is required if you receive a notification regarding missing immunizations to avoid your child’s exclusion from school.
Physical Exams
Pennsylvania School Health Law requires a physical examination upon entrance to school (kindergarten or first grade) and in grades six and eleven. Examinations done by a family physician within one year before the opening of the school term are acceptable by state regulations.
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to take their children to their family physician for these examinations to provide continuity of care. The family physician is familiar with your child and thus is better able to detect any physical changes, begin treatment if indicated and to follow through with needed care and immunization boosters.
Parents/Guardians may request that the School District physician provide the mandated physical exam. This is an abbreviated exam, which is provided at no cost to the parent. Parents/Guardians are notified of the date of the exam and are welcome to attend. The School exam requires written parental/guardian permission. Parents/Guardians are notified of abnormal findings and/or need for further immunizations.
Please keep the School Nurse informed of any corrections, treatments or immunization boosters that your child has received so that your child's health record is current. Up to date information is essential in emergency situation.
Physical Examination forms for the private physician are available at each school and online here.
Health Screenings
Pennsylvania State Law mandates specific screenings for students in certain grades within each school year. The School Nurses do many of the screenings in the fall. Dates of screenings are posted in the School Calendars. Please contact the School Nurse if you have any questions about screenings.
Listed below are some of the mandated health screenings:
Hearing Screenings: Screening occurs in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 11 and may be done yearly for students with special needs.
Vision Screening: Annually in all grades.
Growth Screening: Height and weight are recorded annually for each student.
Scoliosis Screening: This mandated screening for spinal curvature is done in grades six and seven during the latter half of the school year. Those who have completed a sixth grade physical exam with results of scoliosis screening documented by their private physician are excused from the screening. Those who have not returned a sixth grade physical and all those students in grade seven must provide written parent/guardian approval in order to be screened.
Permission forms will be sent to all indicated students in grades six and seven in January of each school year. Parents/Guardians will be contacted if their child does not pass the health screenings and will be referred to the appropriate health care provider.