The following is information regarding Upper Darby School District's Policies.

Absence Policy

A parent note is required for 1-4 days absence, a physician note is required for a 5+ days absence.

Emergency Cards

An emergency card is required for all students in all grades. The emergency phone numbers you list should be for those people who are willing and able to come to your child's school and pick them up in case of illness or emergency should the need arise.

Annual Screenings

Screenings are performed by a Certified School Nurse and include the following tests:

BMI (Body Mass Index)

grades K to 12. A referral letter recommending a physician evaluation is sent home if the student's BMI falls in the risk category as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Height/Weight

all grades. BMI is calculated from annual height/weight.

Vision

all grades. A referral letter recommending a physician evaluation is sent home if the student fails basic vision test.

Color

grade 2 Colorblindness screening is performed and a referral letter recommending a physician evaluation is sent home if irregularities are noted.

Hearing

grades K through 3, 6, and 9. A referral letter is sent home recommending a physician evaluation if the student fails the basic test.

Scoliosis

grades 6 + 7. A referral letter is sent home recommending a physician evaluation if the student shows any signs of scoliosis

State Mandated Physical and Dental Exams

A dental exam performed by the student's private dentist is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Health for students entering K or 1st grade, 3rd grade and 7th grade. Please download the Dental Examination Form here. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health requires that every student in grades K/1, 6 and 11 have a physical on file in their health record. Dowload this form, have it filled out, and return it as soon as possible. The school district will provide a Certified Dental Hygienist and/or a Certified Physician to administer the exams, if needed.

Forms

Please click on the topic below to access the form you require.

• Dental Examination Form
• Medication Administration Policy
• Medical Bus Form
• Physician's Physical Form

In-school Medications

A new physician's order and parent permission is necessary for each new school year. Please consult your child's physician and have them complete the top portion of the Medication Form.  Parents and guardians, please complete the bottom portion of the form and bring it to your child's School Nurse along with your child's medication.Please download the Medication Form and the Upper Darby School District Medication Policy here.

Immunization Policy

The following immunizations are required for all students in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:Your child's school must have written confirmation from your physician for each immunization.

• Grades K through 12:
  • DPT (Diptheria/Pertussis/Tetanus): Four (4) required, with one after age 4
  • Polio: Three (3) required
  • MMR (Measles/ Mumps/ Rubella): Two (2) required, with the first after age 1
  • Hepatitis B: Three (3) required, must be properly spaced
  • Varicella (chicken pox): Two (2) immunizations required, the first must be after age 1. Or history of disease.
• In Addition:
  Grade 7
  By September of 2010, all incoming 7th Grade students must also have:
  • Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/ Pertussis): one dose required, if less than 5 years since last DPT
  • MCV (Menactra – meningitis): one dose required.

Field Trip Medical Procedure

Emergency medications are permitted on a field trips or extra-curricular activities when all medication procedures per the school district's in-school medication policy are followed.

Medical Bus Rider Information

A request for transportation for medical reasons must be submitted to the School Nurse by the parent/guardian with a physician's note or letter. The letter should include: student's name, date of birth, diagnosis and length of time medical busing will be needed.Medical busing will not be considered if any pertinent information is missing.A new physician's note and new busing approval is needed for each new school year. Please download the Medical Bus Form here.

P.E. Excusal Procedure

The parent/guardian must write an excuse note to the gym teacher for any short-term medical reason. Any student in need of an extended medical excuse for gym must present a physician's note to the School Nurse.In order to resume gym class after an extended excusal, a second physician's note is required.

Sports Physical

Sports physicals are under the supervision of the Athletic Directors.Please refer to your child's coach for information.

When To Keep Your Child At Home

Please refer to the following list.  If you have any questions, please call your School Nurse.

Please seriously evaluate your child's health and ability to be productive in school when he/she complains of headache, stomach ache or cold symptoms, with or without fever.  Children often have no fever in the morning, but temperatures may rise as the day progresses.  The number of ill students who are sent to school is surprisingly high; it worsens your child's condition and exposes the entire staff and student body to illness.

If your child has any of the following symptoms or conditions, please keep them at home:

• Fever, now or at any time in the last 24 hours.
• Vomiting, now or at any time in the last 24 hours
• Diarrhea, now or at any time in the last 24 hours.
• Extremely red, weepy itchy eyes.
• Eyes were "glued shut" in the morning or have a yellow-ish drainage.
• Any undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions anywhere on the body.
• Sore, red throat.
• Enlarged tonsils.
• Excessive, uncontrollable coughing.
• If your child is taking any pain medication stronger than Tylenol or ibuprofen, or if your child has taken Benadryl that morning, please keep them home for monitoring.

If your child has any of the following communicable diseases, they are not permitted in school until they have seen their physician, have started treatment and have a physician's written medical clearance to bring to school.