School Services

Counselors are available to each student for information and guidance on academic, vocational, social, or personal problems. Student procedures for seeking counselor support are listed below:

1. Students seeking support from their designated school counselor must sign the appointment book in the Main Office/Student Services Office to schedule an appointment.
2. After signing the appointment book in the Main Office/Student Services Office, students will report back to class until they are called by their counselor.
3. In the case of an emergency, students should report to the Main Office/Student Services Office and wait to be seen by a counselor. In the counselor's absence, students with emergencies should report to the Main Office.

In case of illness the student will be excused by the classroom teacher to visit the nurse. If the nurse is not available or is not in her office when an illness or emergency occurs, the student should report to the Main Office.

1. Every student must have a pass from the classroom teacher, unless an emergency exists.
2. Excused medical passes for gym must include a note from a parent or doctor explaining the medical reason and should be taken to the school nurse during morning homeroom.

In order to maintain the highest level of health in our school, we have a well-planned health program. To make the program function smoothly and successfully, we need the cooperation of home, school, parents, teachers, and students. Some of the services available are:

1. Measurement of height and weight and vision screenings for all students in all grades.
2. Medical examination for each student in the 6th grade.
3. Dental, scoliosis, and hearing screenings for each student in the 7th grade.
4. BMI (Body Mass Index) will be calculated for all students. The results will be sent home.
5. First Aid (emergency only) for those who may be injured or become ill during the school day. The nurse will call in case of illness or injury at school and ask the parent to come to school for the child. Transportation is to be arranged by the parents.

According to the latest PA Health Department Rules and Regulations for school nurses "all prescription" and "over the counter" medicine to be given in school will not be dispensed without a doctor's written order.

If it is essential for your child to take medication during the course of a school day, please complete the Permission to Administer Medication form #13 along with the doctor's written order and return it to the nurse's office with the medication upon arrival to school. 

It is the school district's "Use of Medication" policy (see School Board Policy #210) that prescription medication must be in a labeled bottle from the pharmacy. Please ask the pharmacy for two labeled bottles at the time a prescription is being filled. All "over the counter" medicine should be sent to school in the "original container" Your child's name should be placed on the container. The administering of medication in our school must be done under the supervision of the school nurse. Self-administering of medicines of any nature, prescribed or otherwise during school hours is not permitted. Asthma inhalers and/or Epi-pens may be carried by students with proper documentation from physician and parents. Students may carry their own cough drops in school after presenting a parent note to the nurse during morning homeroom. Carrying of water bottles is NOT permitted. Due to the concern for the overall health and safety of your child while at school, please notify the school nurse of any change in your child's health status and any medication that he/she may be taking on a daily basis.

See the District Health Services Department site for Illness Indicators / Sick Day Guidelines.

As your child transitions into middle school years they will be hearing the term Restorative Practices. The function of Restorative Practices, or positive discipline, is restoring and building relationships when issues arise such as relationship problems, discipline issues or other situations where students need to address their own behaviors in cooperation with others. All Souderton Area School District secondary schools are using this positive discipline method. It focuses on the concept of using "social circles" to provide students with opportunities to share their feelings, ideas and experiences, while being held accountable for their choices.

SAP is a state mandated program developed to assist students. In doing so, school staff members, agency personnel, parents, and the students themselves, work collaboratively to ultimately reduce barriers to learning. These students may be at risk due to drug and alcohol, behavioral, mental health or other issues. SAP is an
intervention program, not an in-school treatment program.

SAP team members include teachers, counselors, administrators, the school nurse, and contracted agency personnel. Referrals for the team's review typically come from school staff, parents, and peers. However, students are encouraged to refer themselves as well.

Students are sent home by the nurse, medical clerk, principal, or assistant principal.

1. When students become ill they must report to the nurse or office for decision of home dismissal.
2. Students are not permitted to call parent/guardian from their cell phone or from other locations (other than the nurse's office) if they are ill.
3. When students become ill or injured they are not permitted to walk home.
4. Students must sign out in the attendance office.

NOTE TO PARENTS FROM THE NURSE:
Because it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to decide when not to send a child to school due to illness, Dr. Heather Hart, the Medical Director for the School District, has suggested the following guidelines for parents:

1. Nausea: If your child wakes up on the morning of a school day complaining of stomach upset, feeling like he/she may vomit, and does not want to eat breakfast, strongly consider keeping your child home from school this day. If after one or two hours, your child is feeling better, you could have him/her attend school later that day.
2. Vomiting: If your child has been vomiting during the previous night or the morning of school, keep him/her home from school that day.
3. Fever: If your child has a fever the morning of school, do not send him/her to school that day. (Fever is regarded as an elevated temperature one degree above their baseline temperature; typically this would be a temperature greater than 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit.)
4. Upon arrival of the parent/guardian to the main office, the student is required to sign out in the Student Services office.