Medical Office | Howard Gardner MI Charter School

Medical Office

Mandated Services:

To help you keep your child healthy and ready to learn, the Howard Gardner MI Charter School offers health screenings conducted every year. These screenings include vision for each student, hearing for students in grades K-3, and 7 and scoliosis for students in grades 6 and 7. These screenings identify problems, which may interfere with learning.

All children enrolled in Pennsylvania schools will have their height and weight measured, and then used to calculate their body mass index (BMI). BMI is a screening tool used to determine whether a child is overweight or underweight.

Your child’s BMI is strictly confidential and will not be discussed with anyone.

Feel free to call The Medical Room with any questions you have about the Growth Screening Program.

Required Physical and Dental Examinations:

Physical examinations are required by state law for all students in Grades K, and 6. Parents may have the exam done by their own doctor if they do not want it done in school. A special form to be signed by your private physician was mailed to your home. If for any reason you do not have the form, you can get one from the school office in the summer or the Medical Room in the fall. The form must be submitted to school by November 30^th. Or If you prefer, the school’s physician can do the examination at no cost to you.

Dental examinations are also required by state law for all students in Grades K, 3 and 7. Parents may also have this exam done by their own dentist. Please refer to the above paragraph regarding forms and dates.

Physical Exam:

Students entering school in kindergarten or grade 1, and grade 6 are required by state law to have a physical examination. Students who have entered school from other states or countries or do not have a physical examination on file for those grades are also required to have a physical exam. Parents are encouraged to obtain the physical examination from their private health care provider and submit a copy to the school nurse. Your private health care provider can provide immunizations and any medical care that your child may require. Students in grades 5 can submit a copy of their physical examination and it will count as the required examination in grade 6.

Dental Exam:

Dental examinations are required for students entering school in grades K or 1, grade 3 and grade 7. For your child’s dental health and follow up care, your private dentist is the best person to perform this examination. If your child has seen your dentist, please ask your dentist to complete the Private Dental Form and return it to the Medical Room. If you prefer, the school’s dentist can do the examination at no cost to you. The school dentist does not provide preventative or restorative care. The parent must contact their own dentist for this follow-up care.

Immunization Requirements:

Immunization requirements for all students entering school for the first time ever in Kindergarten or First grade are as follows:

4 DT spaced a minimum of 28 days apart; the fourth injection MUST have been after the child’s fourth birthday, or a 5th dose will be required. (Pertussis is not required, but often this will be given as DPT or DTaP).
3 Polio Vaccines, properly spaced, by injection or the oral route.
3 Hepatitis B injections spaced no less than 28 days between the 1st and 2nd injection, and no less than 2 months between the 2nd and 3rd injection, and no less than 4 months between the 1st and 3rd injection.
2 Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) injections after the age of 12 months.
2 Varicella doses after the age of 12 months OR the date (month/year) of Chicken Pox disease signed by the doctor or parent.

Immunization requirements for ALL students entering 7th grade. In addition to all the above immunizations these students must have:

1 Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) Pertussis is required.
1 Meningococcal conjugate vaccine is required.

There are medical or religious exemptions from the immunization requirements if they apply to your child.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Mandated by Pennsylvania Law
Pennsylvania Public School Code Article 14

Immunizations Required for Children Entering ALL Grades
Number of Doses				Vaccine
1	2	3	4	Tetanus 1 dose on or after the 4^th birthday Usually given as DTaP, DT, or Td

1	2	3	4	Diphtheria 1 dose on or after the 4^th birthday

1	2	3	4	Polio

1	2	3		Hepatitis B

1	2			Measles Usually given as MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)

1	2			Mumps Usually given as MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)

1	2			Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine or history of disease

1				Rubella (German Measles) Usually given as MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)

Additional Immunizations Required for 7th Grade Students
1				Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)

1				Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV)


Learn more about other immunizations that are recommended for your child at: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm Children not up to date with all required immunizations may be removed from school during a disease outbreak. Pennsylvania’s school immunization requirements can be found in 28 PA CODE CH.23 (School immunizations)

IMPORTANT

No child will be admitted to school without providing the appropriate immunization information to the school nurse. Pennsylvania law states a child must have at least one dose of each of the required vaccines to attend school on a provisional basis.

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION:

ALL medications are given through the Medical Room. If your child(ren) require medication at school, please bring medication along with required doctor and parent/guardian authorization forms completed and signed. Also, if needed have action care plan filled out by doctor and return. Please see the School’s Medication Policy for details.

ILLNESS OR INJURY:

If your child becomes ill or is injured while at school, you will be notified and asked to pick him/her up at the school. Please make advance arrangements to cover such an emergency.