Nurse's Office
Fell Charter’s School Nurse is responsible for for all student health information, including PA State-mandated screenings, immunization records, and health updates.
As a licensed medical professional, the School Nurse manages and dispenses any necessary student medications, per the School Medication Policy detailed below.
Necessary health & medical forms are available for download below. If you have any questions or concerns regarding student health, please do not hesitate to contact the School Nurse.
Important Health News
Measles cases have been increasing in the United States. Measles is a disease we don’t want coming back. FCS will be following Department of Health guidance if cases of measles develop in our local community and/or school.
Please review the Measles Fact Sheet for Parents and visit the PA Department of Health for more information. Let’s all cooperate to prevent a measles outbreak.
State of Pennsylvania Health Requirements:
- PA State Vaccine Requirements
- Physical exams – K/1st, 6th, and 11th grades
- Dental exams – K/1st, 3rd, and 7th grades
- Scoliosis exam – 6th and 7th grades
- Hearing screenings – K, 1st , 2nd, 3rd, 7th, and 11th grades
- Vision Screenings – All grade levels
- Growth Screenings – All grade levels
Health Policies
School Health Servies Letter
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Attached are the health forms required for each student. A copy of immunization dates, the Health Data Form, and the Emergency Contact Form must be presented at the time of registration. Please notify the Fell Charter School Nurse of any changes to this information that may occur during the school year.
A physical examination is a required Pennsylvania State mandate for students first entering school either in Kindergarten or first grade, and again in sixth grade. An examination done by the family physician within twelve months prior to the opening of school or during the school year will be accepted as the required examination and must be recorded on the enclosed physical form.
Our school health program also recommends regular dental examinations. Dental examinations are required for students first entering school either in Kindergarten or first grade, and also in third grade, and seventh grade. An examination done by a private dentist within twelve months prior to the opening of school or during the school year will be accepted as the required examination and must be recorded on the enclosed dental form.
All immunizations must be up-to-date. If the student is not current with his/her immunizations, he/she will not be admitted until they are updated. Please see the attached form for the current vaccine regulations. These requirements do allow for medical, religious, and moral/ethical exemptions.
If your child needs medication during school hours or has any other special health care needs, it is advisable to speak with the school nurse. Please refer to the medication policy forms in this packet. If your child is being treated for a chronic condition such as asthma or food allergies, an emergency action plan will be provided by the School Nurse to be completed by a physician.
Thank you for your cooperation and attention in completing these very important forms.
Please contact the School Nurse, Mrs. Urzen at burzen@fellcharter.com, if you have any questions.
Medication Policy
FELL CHARTER SCHOOL
MEDICATION POLICY (2026-27)
It is the policy of Fell Charter School that medication is to be given outside of school hours whenever possible. However, if it is essential that a student receive medication during school hours, the following criteria MUST be met before medication (including prescribed over-the-counter medications) may be administered:
- Submit the form “Authorization for School Medication Administration”. This must be completed and signed by both the physician AND parent/guardian for each prescription and nonprescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication prescribed by a physician. Photocopies of the doctor’s signed original prescription form are acceptable as are faxed medication orders. MEDICATION CANNOT BE GIVEN UNTIL BOTH PARENT AND PHYSICIAN WRITTEN PERMISSION IS OBTAINED. This form is valid for one school year or for the time frame indicated by the physician.
- For student’s requiring medication at school for certain chronic conditions (allergies, asthma, seizures, etc.) parents must submit an Emergency Action Plan completed and signed by a physician and parent/guardian along with the Authorization for Medication Administration form. Contact the nurse for the appropriate form.
- In accordance with the school’s drug policy, students may NOT carry medication (prescription or OTC, such as lip balms, cough drops etc.) to school. The medication must be delivered by a responsible adult directly to the school nurse or other designated staff member. All medication must be in the original container/package. Prescription medication must have a current prescription label attached, with the student’s name on the label. (Ask your pharmacy to provide 2 labeled prescription containers.) OTC medications must be in the original container.
- Parents/Guardians should speak with the nurse about the medication AND must report any medication changes to the nurse.
- All medications must be kept in the custody of the school nurse. Self-carry/administration of emergency medications such as asthma inhalers and epinephrine in schools refers to situations in which students carry their own medication and administer it during the school day as ordered by their health care provider and authorized by a parent/guardian. The health care provider must indicate this on the Authorization for Medication form and the Emergency Action Plan that both they and the parent/guardian feel the student has the skills to carry and self-administer the emergency medication, including reporting to the school nurse that the medication has been taken and or that symptoms do not improve after taking the medication. If the student makes the medication available to other students or fails to properly carry, administer or notify the nurse regarding self-administration, the medication will be confiscated and the parent notified and the handbook policies regarding distribution of drugs will be followed. When self-administration is being followed, the Fell Charter School bears no responsibility for ensuring that the medication is taken.
- Medication requests must be renewed each school year and medications not picked up at the end of the school year will be disposed of.
- Certain OTC medications including but not limited to Tylenol, antibiotic ointment, cough drops, Calamine lotion, etc. kept in the nurse office have been authorized by the school physician for the nurse to give under certain circumstances. Cough drops and throat lozenges will be dispensed to students at the discretion of the nurse. Parents/Guardians must submit the form “Permission for Administering Health Office Medications” each year and indicate whether they give or do not give permission for their child to receive the OTC medications listed on the form.
*Fell Charter School is not responsible for injury/damages that result from the administration of medication in accordance with Parent/Guardian and Physician request.
Type 1 Diabetes Education Materials for Parents/Guardians
Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition that can affect children, and early recognition of symptoms—like increased thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained weight loss—can be life-saving. Learn more by reviewing the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Type 1 Diabetes Information Sheet.
