Health Services
Spring-Ford Health Services Mission Statement:
A child’s health is an important contributing factor to his or her success in school. The goal of our district nurses is to maintain, improve, and promote the health of every student in partnership with their guardians.
Forms and Guidelines
COVID-19 Resources
Please complete this Close Contact Form to report any Spring-Ford student or staff who is a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case.
Please complete this Positive COVID-19 Form to report any Spring-Ford student or staff who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Montgomery County COVID Testing
COVID-19 Exclusion Criteria (English)
COVID-19 Exclusion Criteria (Spanish)
Mask Exemption Considerations and FAQs
Student Mask Exemption Request Form
Forms
Authorization for School Medication Administration
Guidelines
New PA State Immunization Requirements
PA School Health Law regarding mandated screening, physicals and dental
Concussion Management Information
Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting
Home Schooled Student Information
Durable Equipment and Elevator Use: A Physician’s note should be provided if a student will require the use of crutches and/or an elevator for more than one day. Please note that durable equipment such as crutches and wheelchairs must be obtained by the family so that school equipment is available for emergencies.
Helpful Links
Healthy Student Recognition Ideas
MSDS Search: Welcome to MSDSonline Support – a comprehensive support site that includes information for helping you use all MSDSonline Products.
PA School Health Law regarding mandated screening, physicals and dental
Common Health Concerns
Allergies
Asthma
Chicken Pox (Varicella)
Concussion
Fifth's Disease
Hand/Foot/Mouth Disease
Head Injury
Head Life
Impetigo
Influenza
Meningitis
Mononucleosis (Mono)
MRSA
Pink Eye
Scabies
Scarlet Fever
Strep Throat
Whooping Cough
Vomiting
Contact Info
Parochial Buildings
Trisha Smith, RN, CSN, M.Ed.
District Health Coordinator Gr 7-12
Senior High School
Bridget Mullins, RN, CSN: (610) 705-6043
Jill Yeager, RN, CSN: (610) 705-6049
Jaclyn Gospodarek, RN: (610) 705-6001 x 2566
9th Grade Center
Sandy Frost-Horvath, RN: (610) 705-6233
8th Grade Center
Cathy Bradfield, CSN: (610) 705-6079
7th Grade Center
Stacey Huntington, RN, CSN, M.Ed.: (610) 705-6010 x 2537
5th/6th Grade Center
Allison Eddinger, BSN, RN, CSN: (610) 705-6113
Melissa Wasko, MS, RN, CSN: (610) 705-6003 x 2538
Brooke Elementary
Linda Spivey, RN: (610) 705-6059
Evans Elementary
Laura McNeil Murphy, RN, CSN, GC-C, M.Ed.: (610) 705-6177
District Health Coordinator Gr K-6
Limerick Elementary
Sharon Wiltsie, RN: (610) 705-6194
Oaks Elementary
Erin Lewandoski, BS, RN, CSN: (610) 705-6180
Royersford Elementary
Rachael Schauder, RN : (610) 705-6143
Spring City Elementary
Tara Santangelo, RN: (610) 705-6127
Upper Providence Elementary
Lisa Greenwood, RN: (610) 705-6062
Action Plans
Physical Exams
According to School District Board Policy 209, each student shall provide a copy of a private comprehensive health examination upon original entry, in sixth grade and in eleventh grade.
Click here for a blank copy of the Physical form
A school health examination can be conducted at the parent’s request in lieu of the private examination.
Dental Exams
Each student shall provide a copy of a comprehensive private dental examination upon original entry, in third grade and in seventh grade.
Click here for a blank copy of the Dental form
When to keep your child home
When to keep your child home from school:
Children learn best when they are healthy. Please do not send your child to school sick. Here are some guidelines to help you to know when to keep your child home.
Appearance/Discomfort
If your child appears unusually tired, irritable, pale or has an unusual lack of appetite.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Because of the extremely contagious nature of Bacterial Pink Eye, we ask you to consult your doctor before sending your child to school with the following symptoms: thick mucus or pus draining from eye, if eye is red, puffy, itchy or painful.
Diarrhea
If your child has had three or more watery stools in a 24 hr period, especially if your child acts or looks ill, it is recommended that they do not come to school.
Fever
A temperature of 100.0 or higher is an indication that your child could be contagious. Giving a child Tylenol or Ibuprofen will bring the temperature down, and make them more comfortable, but it will not prevent them from passing their illness on to classmates. Please keep them home until they are fever free for 24 hours.
Head Lice
Children should not return to school until their hair has been treated with lice shampoo. Upon return, the student should not ride the bus, but be driven to school and seen in the nurse’s office for clearance.
Rash
A child with a body rash, fever, and itching should be kept home. If you have a physician’s note stating that it is a “non-contagious rash” and they are not too uncomfortable to focus they may return.
Severe Sore Throat/Cough
A child with a severe sore throat or cough accompanied with a fever should not be in school.
Vomiting
If your child has vomited within the past 24 hours, please keep them home.
Thank you for your cooperation.
If you have any questions, please contact your School Nurse.
Stay healthy this flu season
Do you know, is it the Flu or a Cold?
Questions | Flu | Cold |
Was the onset of illness... | sudden? | slow? |
Does your child have a... | high fever? | no/mild? |
Is your child's exhaustion level... | severe? | mild? |
Is your child's head... | achy? | headache-free? |
Is your child's appetite... | decreased? | normal? |
Are your child's muscles... | achy? | fine? |
Does your child have... | chills? | no chills? |
If most of your answers fell into the first category, chances are that your child has the flu. If your answers were usually in the second category, it's most likely a cold. But don't be too quick to brush off your child's illness as just another cold. The important thing to remember is that flu symptoms can vary from child to child (and they can change as the illness progresses), so if you suspect the flu, call the doctor. Even doctors often need a test to tell them for sure if a person has the flu or not since the symptoms can be so similar!
Some bacterial diseases, like strep throat or pneumonia, also can look like the flu or a cold. It's important to get medical attention immediately if your child seems to be getting worse, is having any trouble breathing, has a high fever, has a bad headache, has a sore throat, or seems confused. While even healthy kids can have complications of the flu, kids with certain medical conditions are at more of a risk. If you think your kid might have the flu, contact your doctor.
Treatment
Some kids with chronic medical conditions may become sicker with the flu and need to be hospitalized, and flu in an infant also can be dangerous. For severely ill kids or those with other special circumstances, doctors may prescribe an antiviral medicine that can ease flu symptoms, but only if it's given within 48 hours of the onset of the flu.
Most of the time, you can care for your child by offering plenty of fluids, rest, and extra comfort.