Health Program and Services
Health Program
A comprehensive school health program is an integrated set of planned, sequential, school-affiliated strategies, activities, and services designed to promote the optimal physical, emotional, social, and educational development of students.
- Providing first aid
- Providing medications and/or medical procedures as prescribed by a licensed health care provider or dentist
- Promotion of good health habits through health education
- Inspection of children as needed to lessen the spread of communicable conditions
- Communication with parents regarding anything affecting the health of the child, and regarding re-entry to school following significant illnesses and/or injuries
- Referral to physicians, dentists, and appropriate agencies for follow-up care
- Maintaining health records of all students
- Immunization Program - auditing records, and notices for immunizations needed
- Annual vision screening for all students
- Annual heights and weights for all students
- Annual hearing screening for all students K-3, 7, 11, and special education students
- Medical examinations by school or family physicians for all students newly enrolled in kindergarten or first grade, sixth grade, and eleventh grade. A private physical exam completed within one year prior to a student's entry into the grade where an exam is required is acceptable
- Dental examinations by school or family dentist for all students newly enrolled in kindergarten or first grade, third grade, and seventh grade. A private exam completed within one year prior to a student's entry into the grade where an exam is required is acceptable
- Scoliosis examinations by school or family physicians, or school nurses, for all students in grades six and seven
Health Services
School Nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. School Health Services of the Altoona Area School District provides for the health needs of the school child in accordance with the School Laws of Pennsylvania. Included among these services are:
- Health screenings
- Physical examinations
- Health appraisals
- First aid and emergency care in case of injury and sudden illness
- Referral of detected health problems
- Education for wellness promotion
- Disease prevention and control
School health services are implemented under the state health department guidelines. These services supplement, but are not a substitute for the health care which parents provide for their children. School nurses who are responsible to the Superintendent and building principals provide health services.