Health & Wellness Services

William Penn Charter School is dedicated to meeting the health and safety needs of our students, faculty and staff during the school day.We are committed to the ideals of health promotion and prevention in our administration of care in order to meet our school's overall educational goals.

When to Report Absences:

● Lower School: Parents/caregivers are expected to report absences and tardies through SchoolPass by 9:30 am.

● Middle School: Parents are expected to report absences and tardies to the Middle School office. Contact Blair Copeland at bcopeland@penncharter.com or call 215-844-3460 ext. 107 before 9:00 a.m.

● Upper School: Parents are expected to report absences and tardies to the attendance office. Contact Rose Mary Cavalcante at rmcavalcante@penncharter.com or call 215-844-3460 ext. 264 by 9:30 a.m.

Keeping Your Child Home

Keep your child at home if any of these conditions exist:

Temperature of 100 degrees or more within the past 24 hours (without Tylenol or other anti-fever medication)
Any symptoms of acute illness such as persistent cough or runny nose accompanied by body aches
If your child requires any medication for pain stronger than Tylenol or Ibuprofen, they should not attend school.
Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
A positive throat culture for strep: student should be on antibiotic treatment for 24 hours before returning to school
A red eye with crust, mucous or excessive tearing (until diagnosed by a physician and treated with medication for 24 hours if "pink eye")
Any skin lesion with honey-brown crusts (until diagnosed by a physician and treated with medication for 24 hours if "impetigo")
Skin Lesion: A mildly itchy ring shaped pink patch with a scaly, raised border and a clear center (until diagnosed by a physician and treated with anti-fungal cream if "ringworm")
Head Lice: Students may return when appropriately treated with a pediculicide. If a student has head lice, he or she may return when appropriately treated with a pediculicide. Please notify the school nurse if your child has been treated for head lice.
These guidelines will help parents determine if a child should attend school or other activities. Your child should look and behave like him/herself for 24 to 48 hours before returning to school

A sick child who returns to school too soon is at risk for picking up other infections due to lowered immunity. A child who is still sick is likely to infect other students and staff.

Remind your child about frequent hand washing. It is the most effective means of preventing the spread of communicable disease.

Please follow the CDC guidelines for any Covid-19 or respiratory illness.

CDC released updated Respiratory Virus Guidance in response to the decreasing risk that Covid-19 poses to the population. This updated Guidance includes strategies to protect people at highest risk of getting seriously ill and provides actionable recommendations for people with common viral respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19, flu, and RSV.
Review the CDC’s Updated Respiratory Virus Guidance: What to do When You Are Sick

Health Forms

Students will not be permitted to attend classes or participate in any school activity, including athletics, until all medical, dental and electronic consents are completed. We recommend that you scan/upload your forms to your Magnus Health Account and keep the originals. The deadline for all forms is July 31.

Health Forms:

Allergy Emergency Action Plan

Dental form – grades K, 3 & 7 only

Physical Examination form - grades PK, K & 6-12 & Immunization form - grades PK, K, 7 & 12
(New students, regardless of grade, are required to submit a physical examination and immunization form)

Permission to Administer Medication in School form

Trip Medication Permission Form

Medication in School

In accordance with the school's drug policy, students are not permitted to carry or self-administer any prescription or non-prescription medications without prior authorization. Families must submit written documentation to the health office for notification and approval of any self-administered medications while on campus. Currently, the only approved self-administered medications are asthmatic meter dose inhalers, insulin for diabetic students and emergency anaphylactic medications (Epi-pens). All other medications must be administered in the health office and follow the medication policy protocol.

The school nurse may administer acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antihistamines, antacids (Tums) or sore throat/cough lozenges to your child during school hours with consent from the parent/guardian. An electronic signature authorizing this medication is requested annually.

Medication Policy Protocol

Please contact your divisional health office (MS/US ext. 142, LS ext. 371) to discuss the policy for administering prescription medications during the school day. Medication to be given on a regular or "as needed " (for example antibiotics) basis requires a written prescription/authorization from your child's health care provider each academic year. This includes Epi-pens and inhalers, as well as oral medications. Please ask your child's health care provider to complete the Permission to Administer Medication in School form.

Concussion

Automatic External Defibrillators

Emotional Health

The school learning specialists, nurses and counselors work with teachers and parents to provide support for academic, social, and physical and emotional health needs.

Support Services

Members of the support team work with specific students and teachers around learning issues. The team consists of the divisional learning specialists, the school nurse and the divisional school counselors. Students and/or families become involved with members of the team on a referral basis. Referrals are usually made by the school director.

A trained school counselor is available to students to discuss any adjustment issues. The school director, the dean of students, a teacher or a coach may refer students to the counselor. The counselor also will meet with students who are "walk-ins." In addition to individual sessions, the counselor may conduct transition groups throughout the academic year and other group sessions as needs arise.

Health Topics

Pertussis

Head Lice

Head Lice: Students may return when appropriately treated with a pediculicide. If a student has head lice, he or she may return when appropriately treated with a pediculicide.
- Please notify the school nurse if your child has been treated for head lice.
- Classes will be notified when 2 or more cases are reported
- Treatment clinic’s are recommended if possible
  - Visit: https://liceclinicsofpa.com/

Food Allergies

At Penn Charter, the safety and well-being of all our students is our top priority. We are dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for students with food allergies, recognizing the potentially life-threatening nature of allergic reactions and the importance of careful management both in and out of the classroom.

If your child has a food allergy, please be sure to indicate this in Magnus and provide a Food Allergy Action Plan. For Lower and Middle School students, we ask families to supply at least one EpiPen to the school. Upper School students are expected to self-carry their EpiPen.

Our teachers and staff receive annual training to recognize allergic reactions and are equipped to administer EpiPens when needed.

For any questions or further information on how we support students with food allergies, please don’t hesitate to contact the health office.

Influenza, COVID, Respiratory Illness

It's important to be proactive in protecting our children and school community during flu season.. Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness that can spread easily, especially in close environments like schools. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue, which can sometimes be severe.

To help prevent the spread of the flu:

Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water.
Teach children to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow.
Keep children home if they are showing flu symptoms.
Consider having your child vaccinated. The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of illness.

By working together, we can help keep our children and community healthy this flu season.

Please follow the CDC guidelines for any Covid-19 or respiratory illness.
What to do When You Are Sick

CDC released updated Respiratory Virus Guidance in response to the decreasing risk that COVID-19 poses to the population. This updated Guidance includes strategies to protect people at highest risk of getting seriously ill and provides actionable recommendations for people with common viral respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
Review the CDC’s Updated Respiratory Virus Guidance: What to do When You Are Sick

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

What is MRSA? MRSA is a type of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, that is resistant to many common antibiotics like methicillin. It can cause infections that are harder to treat but not impossible with appropriate care. MRSA infections can range from mild skin conditions to more serious, invasive infections.

How Does MRSA Spread? MRSA is spread through:

Direct contact with infected wounds or contaminated objects (e.g., towels, sports equipment).
Sharing personal items like razors or clothing.
Poor hygiene, especially in environments like schools, can increase the risk of transmission.

Symptoms to Watch for:

Red, swollen, or painful areas on the skin.
Warm to the touch or filled with pus.
Accompanied by fever in some cases.

What Should Parents Do If Their Child Has MRSA?

Contact your healthcare provider if you suspect your child has a MRSA infection.
Keep the child home if they have an open wound that cannot be covered or if they have an active infection.
Inform the athletic trainers or school nurse so they can take appropriate precautions.

Early treatment and proper hygiene are key in managing MRSA and keeping the school environment safe. If your child has been diagnosed with MRSA, work with the athletic trainers and/or school nurse to ensure safety and prevent the spread.

http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/

Mono

Mononucleosis, often called "mono" or the "kissing disease," is a contagious illness most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). While mono can affect individuals of any age, it's particularly common among teenagers and young adults, including students in schools. Here's some essential information for parents:

Symptoms of Mononucleosis

Fatigue: Extreme tiredness that can last weeks or even months.
Sore Throat: Often severe, resembling strep throat, but not responsive to antibiotics.
Fever: A persistent fever may accompany other symptoms.
Swollen Glands: Lymph nodes, particularly in the neck, become swollen.
Headache and Body Aches: General discomfort and pain.
Enlarged Spleen: Sometimes, the spleen becomes enlarged, leading to abdominal pain or discomfort.

If you suspect your child has mono, consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and care.

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