Health Requirements for Students

The following are mandates required by Pennsylvania law:

Records and Immunizations

State law requires each school to maintain permanent health and dental records for each child enrolled. So that we obtain the information required, please fill out and return the enclosed Health History form at the Kindergarten Registration Day at your school. The school nurse will also need a copy of the immunization record that has been medically documented by the physician or clinic that has administered the immunizations.

Every Pennsylvania school district, both public and private, is required by State law to refuse admission to any child who has not been completely immunized receiving diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles and mumps vaccines, hepatitis B series, and either the chicken pox vaccine (varivax) or documentation of month and year of chicken pox disease.

Pennsylvania allows the following exemptions: medical reason, religious belief, or philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction outlined in PA Code Ch. 23 Section § 23.84. The District must be notified in writing prior to the start of school of any exemption. Even if your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be excluded from school during an outbreak of vaccine preventable diseases. Verification by month, day and year must be provided for receiving the following immunizations/vaccines. An official copy of the immunization/vaccination record signed by the physician’s office must be brought to registration.

Physical Examination

The District encourages you to have your child under the regular care of a physician of your choice. Please return the report of your child’s most recent examination. This is a requirement for students in grades K/1, 6^th and 11^th. If you are unable to provide examination at this time, your child will be examined by a school physician. The school nurse will send letters home with details.

Dental Examination

The school will request reports from your child’s dentist in grades K/1, 3rd, and 7th. If these reports are not returned in the fall of the current year, the dental examination will be given in school. The school nurse will send letters home with details.

Vision Screening

A vision screening will be conducted during Kindergarten Registration. The Westmoreland County Blind Association will be conducting the screening this year. The screening is not a substitute for routine doctor’s care and examinations. Please complete the form and return to the school at Kindergarten registration. If you have any questions regarding the contents of this letter, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school for further information.

** The district must be provided a birth certificate and all immunizations records prior to the start of school. The school nurse must review the medical records to ensure they are up-to-date, or your child will not be permitted to attend school.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has recently approved changes to the mandated immunizations required for students to be enrolled in public schools. These changes will go into effect in August 2017 and are intended to ensure that all children are adequately protected against potential outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. Failure to comply will result in a mandatory exclusion from school, effective August 2017. The NEW REQUIREMENTS are as follows:

Children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following immunizations for attendance:

4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis* (1 dose on or after 4^th birthday)
4 doses of polio (4^th dose on or after 4^th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella **
3 doses of hepatitis B
2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

7th through 12th grade ADDITIONAL IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS for attendance:

2 doses meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)

First dose is given 11-15 years of age; a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12^th
If the dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required.

1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)

* Usually given as DTaP or DTP or DT or Td

** Usually given as MMR

Exemptions to the school laws for immunizations are:

Medical reasons;
Religious beliefs; and
Philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction

Parents will receive a letter if this information is missing when students are registered or transfer to the Greensburg Salem School District. The district will give you a specified period of time to provide the information to the school. If the information is not received by the specified time, usually within 2 weeks, your child will not be able to attend school until you have provided the information or provide proof of an appointment to have the requirements completed.