Health Services Mission Statement

Good health is fundamental for effective student learning and successful academic performance.  School nurses promote and advocate for each student to reach their optimal level of physical, mental and social wellness.

Programs and Services

The primary role of the school nurse is to support student learning.  Certified School Nurses (CSN's) in Pennsylvania hold a Bachelor's degree and an Education Specialist Certification from the state just like a teacher.  Many Certified School Nurses are Master's degree prepared nurses and/or are Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNP's).  The Pennsylvania School Code of 1965 requires that there is one CSN for every 1,500 students in each school district.  School nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development, promote health and safety, and intervene with actual, potential and chronic illness, injuries and emotional crisis.  The CSN provides case manage services while actively collaborating with other educators to build student and family capacity for adaption, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.

School Health Services required in Pennsylvania

Growth screenings must be done annually on every student including measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI).

Vision screenings must be done annually on every student.

Hearing screenings must be done in grades K-3, 7 and 11.

Scoliosis screening must be done in grade 6 and 7 with follow-up in succeeding grades if indicated.

Physical examinations are required for entrance to school (grade K or 1), grade 6 and grade 11. Private exam by a family physician is recommended, but school exams are available.

Dental examinations are required for entrance to school (grade K or 1), in 3rd grade and grade 7. Private examination by a family dentist is recommended, but school exams are available. 

How to work with the school nurse to protect your child's health

Join forces with the nurse in promoting good health in the school by keeping your child home when he/she is sick, especially if they are running a fever. In addition, notify the nurse if your child develops an infectious disease or condition such as pinkeye or strep throat.

Keep your child up to date on their immunization schedule. Make sure your child has all the appropriate shots and boosters for her age, and give a copy of those records to the school nurse each year.

Provide current emergency contact information. The school nurse should have a way of contacting you in the event of an emergency. It is important to have up- to- date work, cell phone and alternate contact information. It is also important to provide back-up contacts should you be unavailable during the day.  

Keep the school nurse informed. If your child has had any recent changes in their health status please call or email the school nurse as soon as possible so that any accommodations that need to be made for them can happen in a timely manner. If your child has an ongoing condition, it is a good idea to meet with or call the school nurse periodically to update medical information.

Call or email the school nurse for help anytime. School nurses are very knowledgeable about many different areas of health care and community resources that can assist your child and your family.

Certified School Nurses

Muhlenberg Elementary Center - Mary Cameron, BSN, RN, CSN

610-921-8028, Option 4

C.E. Cole Intermediate School - Maryann Ligenza, MA-WLM, MHA, RN, CSN

610-921-8212, Option 4

Muhlenberg Junior High School - Heather Scholl, MSN-FNP, CRNP, CSN

610-921-8034, Option 3 (Nursing Department Head)

Muhlenberg High School - Shauna Davis, MSW, BSN, RN, CSN

610-921-8078, Option 4

Social, Emotional and Mental Health Resources

Childhood mental health and learning disorders are real, common and treatable.

Contact your child's School Nurse or School Counselor if you have questions or concerns.

A Guide for Parents Seeking Mental Health Services for Children

Una guía para padres que buscan servicios de salud mental para niños

Back-to-School Transitions: Tips for Parents

Discussing Difficult Situations with Your Child

Homework: A Guide for Parents

Love Doesn't Have to Hurt for Teens

Mental Illness and Substance Use in Young Adults

Stop Bullying on the Spot

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. (1-800-273-8255)

ruOK? Berks Website

It is the vision of the Berks County Suicide Prevention Task Force to save lives by eliminating suicide as well as actively working to reduce the stigma of mental illness in Berks County. Berks County will become a community that is compassionate and willing to embrace and support individuals who are affected by mental health concerns. The task force will accomplish these goals though education and advocacy to the community.

TEXT: ruOK to 484-816-7865

Immunizations required for school attendance in Pennsylvania

School Immunization Law dictated through the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education and the Centers for Disease Control:

• EXCLUSION from school attendance of a child who lacks a single dose of a single dose vaccine and/or the first dose of a multiple dose vaccine.
• A child who needs the next or final dose of a multiple dose vaccine has only five school days to obtain the next or final dose in the series before being excluded from school attendance.

Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade are required to have the following vaccines BEFORE STARTING SCHOOL:

• 4 doses of tetanus* and diphtheria*(4th dose must be given after 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of polio (4th dose must be given after 4th birthday)
• 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• 3 doses of hepatitis B
• 2 doses of varicella or evidence of immunity (by laboratory confirmation or statement from medical provider)

Students entering 7th grade are required to have the following vaccines BEFORE the first day of school:

• One dose of meningococcal conjugate (MCV)
• One dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)- dose must be given after 11^th birthday

Students entering 12th grade are required to have the following vaccine BEFORE the first day of school:

• One additional meningococcal dose (MCV) before entry into 12th grade (this must be given after 16^th birthday).

Ley de inmunización escolar dictada por los Departamentos de Salud y Educación de Pensilvania y los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades:

• EXCLUSIÓN de la asistencia a la escuela de un niño que carece de una dosis única de una vacuna de dosis única y / o la primera dosis de una vacuna de dosis múltiple.
• Un niño/a que necesita la dosis siguiente o la última dosis de una vacuna de dosis múltiple tiene solo cinco días escolares para obtener la dosis siguiente o la última de la serie antes de ser excluido de la asistencia escolar.

Se requiere que los estudiantes del Kindergarden a grado 12 tengan las siguientes vacunas ANTES DE COMENZAR LA ESCUELA:

• 4 dosis de tétanos * y difteria * (la cuarta dosis debe administrarse después de los 4 años)
• 4 dosis de polio (la cuarta dosis debe administrarse después de los 4 años)
• 2 dosis de sarampión, paperas y rubéola (MMR)
• 3 dosis de hepatitis B
• 2 dosis de varicela o evidencia de inmunidad (por confirmación de laboratorio o declaración del proveedor médico)

Los estudiantes que ingresan al séptimo grado deben tener las siguientes vacunas ANTES del primer día de clases:

• Una dosis de conjugado meningocócico (MCV)
• Una dosis de tétanos, difteria, tos ferina acelular (Tdap)- esto debe administrarse después de los 11 años

Los estudiantes que ingresan al 12 ° grado deben tener la siguiente vacuna ANTES del primer día de clases:

• Una dosis meningocócica adicional (MCV) antes de ingresar al 12 ° grado (esto debe administrarse después de que cumpla 16 años)

Over-the-counter medications
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has recently changed its medication administration policy for schools. All schools in Pennsylvania must now have parent permission before they are able to administer any over-the counter (OTC) medications for pain, fever, upset stomach, cough, etc.

Prescription Medications
a.) If your child needs prescription medication or OTC medication not available in the Health Room, a Medication Authorization During School Hours form (available in Spanish here) must be completed by the parent/guardian and signed by your health care provider. Medications to be given in school must be in the original container, labeled with the child’s name, name and the dosage of the medication to be given , and the date(s) and times the medication is to be given. ALL medication to be given in school must be delivered to the school nurse by the parent/guardian.

b.) Send only medications which absolutely must be given during school hours. Try to space medication doses to avoid school hours whenever possible.

c.) If your child has asthma and carries an inhaler or needs to carry an Epi-Pen for severe allergic reaction, please have your health care provider complete the Muhlenberg School District medication administration form yearly.
 

Please reference the Muhlenberg School District Use of Medication Policy No. 210 and 210.AR.

A concussion, also called mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is an injury sustained to the brain resulting from a direct blow to the head or a jolt of the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Following a concussion, the brain’s cells undergo chemical and metabolic changes which irritate and interrupt normal brain function including physical and cognitive abilities.  It may or may not include loss of consciousness; however, typically there is no loss of consciousness. Children and adolescents are at greatest risk for concussions, they may take longer to recover from a brain injury than adults, and may experience increased symptoms due to the academic environment. Students may report diminished mental energy and cognitive fatigue.  Any student reporting a blow to the head, face, nose or forceful body jolt will be evaluated by the Health Services nurse or athletic trainer for signs and symptoms of a concussion and the student’s parent/guardian will be notified

Signs and Symptoms of Concussion: (Could be observed by coaches, certified athletic trainers, Health Services nurse, school physician, teacher, school counselor, administrator)

• Appears dazed, stunned, disoriented or demonstrates decreased alertness
• Demonstrates short term memory difficulty
• Answers questions slowly or inaccurately
• Slurred speech
• Seizures, loss of consciousness or changing level of consciousness
• Headache/feels “pressure” in the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Sensitivity to light or sounds/noise
• Irritability or changes in personality and behavior
• Uneven pupillary findings
• Blurry or double vision
• Student “just doesn’t feel right”
• Feels confused or “foggy”
• Fatigue, drowsiness
• Numbness or tingling
• Feels slowed down
• Disturbance in sleep pattern

The Health Services nurse will assess the student for signs and symptoms of a concussion and emergency medical treatment will be pursued if there is a deterioration of symptoms including a seizure, altered level of consciousness, vomiting, altered pupillary findings, severe headache, significant confusion or direct, severe neck pain associated with the injury.

The Health Services nurse will contact the injured student’s parent/guardian to make them aware of head injury incident and possible concussion. If the student’s symptoms do not require emergency medical treatment, the Health Services nurse will conduct a concussion symptom check.  If the presented symptoms and/or mechanism of injury warrants, the Health Services nurse will evaluate the student regularly throughout the day or until symptoms escalate which require further medical evaluation. Should the student not undergo a recommended medical evaluation, the injured student will be regularly monitored for ongoing symptoms by the Health Services nurse.   The parent/guardian will be notified of need for medical evaluation should symptoms not resolve.

Head Injury Information Concussion Guidelines for Educators form or packet will be sent home with a student who suffers any head trauma while at school.  For reference, please see the Muhlenberg School District Concussion Management found at Schools Policy No 210.3.  Additional concussion information from the CDC is available in English & Spanish
 

Return to Learn

Students with concussions do not have to be 100% symptom-free to return to learn.

Rest, cognitive and physical, is the best "medicine" for healing concussions or other head injuries.  It is important during the initial (acute) time period, that a concussed student does not push through school work with high cognitive activity levels.

The concussed brain is affected in many functional aspects as a result of the injury.  Memory, attention span, concentration and speed of processing significantly impact learning.

Further, exposing the concussed student to the stimulating school environment may exacerbate symptoms and delay the resolution of symptoms needed for a full recovery.

Striking a balance between the need for rest and keeping up with academic content is the biggest struggle for districts and students.

All students with a concussion need to be academically managed during the school day to promote faster and complete recovery.

Return to school progression must be individualized to meet each concussed student's symptom-based needs.

It is best practice that all students who experience a possible concussion are medically evaluated by a health care provider.

All academic adjustment decisions following a concussion are the responsibility of the school's BrainSTEPs team, which include the Certified School Nurse and School Counselors.  

When available, the health care provider input will be taken into consideration. The Muhlenberg School Final decisions are determined by the school, based on the student need and the presenting school-day symptoms.   

Common return to learn adjustments for a student with a concussion may include some of the following: 

• Take rest breaks as needed throughout the school day.
• Shortened school day
• No or modified testing and/or quizzes, such as untimed assessments and reduction to only the most essential assessments
• No or limited computer/screen time with a decrease in brightness and frequent eye rest breaks
• No or modified physical education class/physical activity/sports, especially activities that involve or put the student at risk of direct contact.
• No or limited Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and/or materials shop class(es)
• No, reduce or modified homework, projects and/or classwork
• Extra time to complete assignments without penalty
• Assistance with note taking or use of teachers' notes
• Early dismissal from class to avoid noisy, crowded hallways
• Use of earplugs
• Use of sunglasses if lights or smart board increase the student's symptoms
• Carrying a water bottle to keep hydrated throughout the school day.
• The Health Services nurse, School Counselor, teachers and family will closely monitor the performance of the student until the student is released back to full physical and academic activities.
• The Health Services nurse will monitor the concussed student's physical symptoms and provide pain medication as needed.
• The Health Services nurse and/or School Counselor will keep the appropriate staff informed of the student's progress then change activity adjustments depended on the student's symptoms.
• As the student recovers and concussion symptoms decrease, activity adjustments in school will gradually decrease until the student is released to perform full physical and academic activities during the school day.
• A student with ongoing concussion symptoms will be referred to a health care provider for medical reevaluation, monitoring and care.

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