The MASD Health Services Department plays a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of all students. Please note that first aid is the only treatment administered to students. In the event of an emergency, 911 and parents/guardians will be called.
In the event a student becomes ill or injured while at school, they will be seen by the school nurse. The school nurse will assess the severity of the illness or injury and determine the best course of action for the student, which can include being sent back to class, being sent home, or being sent to the hospital. Parents will be contacted using phone numbers in the Parent Portal, and students will only be released to individuals listed with the District. Please ensure your student’s emergency contact information is up to date in the Parent Portal.
When Students Should Stay Home From School
A student should stay home from school if they are not feeling well enough to participate in the educational process of the school day or if they have a contagious illness. Individuals with a respiratory virus should stay home and away from others. Recommendations for those with COVID-19 and influenza suggest returning to normal activities when symptoms are improving overall, and fever free without the use of medication for at least 24 hours.
See the chart below for guidance on when a student should stay home from school:
.jpg "when students should stay home from school")
Mandated Health Screenings
The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Mandated School Health Program represents the minimum school health services that all children of school age must receive. The intent is to assure optimal physical function and to improve the physical condition of school-age children.
Health screening required by the Department of Health includes:
Height and Weight (Grades K-12)
Body Mass Index (BMI) - (Grades K-12)
Hearing (Grades K-3, 7, 11)
Vision (Grades K-12); first grade includes stereo and depth perception, color vision, convex lens test.
Scoliosis - (Grade 7)
All school districts submit aggregate information from their health screening data to the Pennsylvania Department of Health at the end of every school year.
Physical Examinations, Dental Examinations, and Vaccines
A medical examination is required in kindergarten, sixth grade and eleventh grade. A medical examination is also required for new students who do not have a health record on file.
A dental examination is required in kindergarten, third and seventh grades. A dental examination is also required for new students who do not have a health record on file.
The District accepts reports of private physicals and dental examinations completed within one year before a student enters into a grade where an examination is required. In meeting the requirements of the law, parents are urged to have family physicians and dentists complete the required examinations since they are more familiar with the child's medical and dental history and needed health care. Examinations may be completed at the parent/guardian's expense within one year before the student enters into the grade where an examination is required.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health also requires all students enrolled in a Pennsylvania school to complete various vaccinations in order to be fully immunized.
Pennsylvania Department of Health School Vaccination Requirements
Middletown Area School District is required to obtain proof of completed immunizations for each student enrolled in the District. MASD will enforce the state guidelines as outlined in the Pennsylvania Department of Education School Vaccination Requirements.
Pennsylvania Department of Health School Immunization Requirements
Student Medication in Schools
According to MASD school board policy and Pennsylvania law, school nurses may not administer or dispense prescription medications or over-the-counter medicines (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, eye drops, etc.) without a completed Student Medication Form.
Student Medication Forms are available from the school nurse and can also be found on the
For Parents page on the District website. Students may carry their own cough drops.
All medication, prescribed and over-the-counter, must be in its original, labeled containers and delivered by a parent/guardian to the school nurse. Students are not permitted to carry or deliver medication. Medications may be delivered during the District’s medication drop-off nights, held before the start of the school year, or at their student’s school office. Once received, medication will be counted and kept in the nurse’s office. A student must go to the nurse’s office to take the medication. If a parent/guardian must administer the medication to their student during the school day, this will be done in the school office. A parent/guardian will be asked to provide the name and dose of the medication for documentation purposes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Act 117 of 2024 requires school entities and nonpublic schools to share Type 1 Diabetes educational materials with parents and guardians of students either in writing, electronically, or on the school entity or nonpublic school’s publicly accessible internet website. Type 1 Diabetes educational materials can be found
on this link through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.