Health Services

ARP ESSER Health and Safety Plan (08/12/24)

Links: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 

CDC: About Being Exposed to COVID-19

Delaware County Health Department

Delaware County Infectious Disease Prevention for Schools and Early Childcare Programs

Vaccines.gov

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons surveyed 101 physicians. 58% of them reported patient complaints of back and shoulder pain caused by heavy backpack loads resulting in medical problems such as muscle fatigue, scoliosis, and spondylitis (inflammation of the spine). Incorrect carrying of backpacks can result in lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, poor posture and improper balance affecting gait which can lead to other injuries.

Researchers at Simmons College found that 55% of surveyed Massachusetts school children typically carry loads heavier than 15% of their total body weight as recommended by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Though no direct connection could be documented, 1/3 of the children in grades 5-8 surveyed reported back pain that forced them to see a doctor, miss school or extra-curricular activities. 

Younger children, as well as females, were found to be more susceptible due to the backpack to body weight ratio. According to the American Physical Therapists Association, injury can occur when trying to adapt to a heavy load. Leaning forward, arching the back, and using one strap all cause harmful postures that can compress the spine, hampering proper functioning of the discs between the vertebrae that provide shock absorption. 

Backpacks come in all sizes, colors, fabrics, and shapes and help kids of all ages express their own personal sense of style. And if they're used properly, they can be a useful tool for kids.

Many packs come with multiple compartments that help students stay organized while they tote their books and papers from home to school and back again. Compared to shoulder bags or purses, backpacks are better because the strongest muscles in the body - the back and the abdominal muscles - support the weight of the packs. When worn correctly, the weight is evenly distributed across the child's body, and shoulder and neck injuries are less common than if the child carried a briefcase or purse.

As practical as backpacks are, though, they can strain muscles and joints and may cause back pain if they're too heavy or are used incorrectly. However, there are steps you can take to help your child avoid back pain and other problems associated with improperly used packs.

What Problems Can Backpacks Pose?

Although many factors may lead to back pain - increased participation in sports or exercise, poor posture while sitting, and long periods of inactivity - some children have backaches because they're lugging around their entire locker's worth of books, school supplies, and assorted personal items all day long. But most doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their packs.

To help understand how heavy backpacks can affect your child's body, it helps to understand how the back works. Your child's spine is made of 33 bones called vertebrae, and between the vertebrae are discs that act as natural shock absorbers. When a heavy weight, such as a backpack filled with books, is incorrectly placed on your child's shoulders, the weight's force can pull your child backward. To compensate, your child may bend forward at the hips or arch his or her back, which can cause your child's spine to compress unnaturally. Because of the heavy weight, your child might begin to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain.

Kids who wear their backpacks over just one shoulder - as many kids do, because they think it looks better - may end up leaning to one side to offset the extra weight. They might develop lower and upper back pain and strain their shoulders and neck. Improper backpack use can also lead to poor posture. Girls and younger children may be especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they're smaller and may carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight.

Also, backpacks with tight, narrow straps that dig into the shoulders can interfere with a child's circulation and nerves. These types of straps can contribute to tingling, numbness, and weakness in the child's arms and hands.

And bulky or heavy backpacks don't just cause back injuries. Here are some other safety issues to consider:

• People who carry large packs often aren't aware of how much space the packs take up and can hit others with their packs when turning around or moving through tight spaces, such as the aisles of the school bus. 
• Students are often injured when they trip over large packs or the packs fall on them. 
• Carrying a heavy pack changes the way a person walks and increases the risk of falling, particularly on stairs or other places where the backpack puts the student off balance. 

Purchasing a Safe Pack

Despite their potential problems, backpacks are an excellent tool for children when used properly. But before you buy that trendy new backpack your kid or teen has been begging you for, consider the backpack's construction.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents look for the following when choosing the right backpack:

• a lightweight pack that doesn't add a lot of weight to your child's load (for example, even though leather packs look cool, they weigh more than traditional canvas backpacks) 
• two wide, padded shoulder straps- straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders 
• a padded back, which not only provides increased comfort, but also protects your child from being poked by sharp edges on objects (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack 
• a waist belt, which helps to distribute the weight more evenly across the body 
• multiple compartments, which can also help distribute the weight more evenly 

Sources: DuPont Nemours, American Backpack Safety Association, American Physical Therapist Association

Children's safety is a shared concern for schools and parents.  The School District of Haverford Township conducts many activities including building, ground, and bus inspections, health examinations and nursing care, guidance and health lessons and wellness activities to support the healthy development of our students. Below are some suggestions and resources to help continue those efforts beyond the school day. 

Discuss with your child age appropriate strategies for remaining safe while at home, in the community, and before and after school. 

When you speak to your children, do so in a calm, non-threatening manner. Children do not need to be frightened to get the point across. Fear may actually work at cross-purposes to the safety message, because fear can be paralyzing to a child.

Speak openly about safety issues. Children will be less likely to come to you if the issue is enshrouded in secrecy. If they feel you are comfortable discussing the subject matter, they may be more forthcoming to you.

Please check out these resources to help support children's safety in our community: 

Create family rules and procedures to create a safe environment for your child.

Ask your neighbors to take turns  as able to monitor bus stops, or wait with children before and after school.

Start a neighborhood watch program.  Report suspicious activity to local police.

Check the Megan's Law Web site to be aware of required public notifications of offenders in our area. 

For additional resources, please check out these links below: 

Fridge Sheet: Download this sheet to create a list of important phone numbers for your child and family

Body Mass Index Information

In order to comply with the state’s mandated health screening program, your certified school nurse assesses your child’s height, weight, BMI/percentile, and vision in grades Kindergarten through 12th annually. Hearing in Kindergarten and grades 1-3, 7^th and 11th, and scoliosis in grades 6th and 7th. 

The calculation of your child’s body mass index is a mathematical calculation that is performed using your child’s height and weight measurement. Your child’s BMI is compared to the BMI of other children in the US of the same gender and age. For example: If your child’s BMI is in the 60th percentile, this means that compared to children of the same gender and age across the United States, 60% have a lower BMI than your child.

Your child’s BMI is influenced by genetic makeup, state of health, dietary intake, and physical exercise. For example, serious athletes may have a higher-than-expected BMI due to their increase in muscle mass.

Because this is Pennsylvania State Law, it is required that your school nurse calculate this measurement each year as part of your child’s growth and development assessment. It is meant to be one indicator, along with many other indicators, of your child’s health and development.

Your child is NOT given this information at any time. The certified school nurse makes the calculations after the child’s health screening session and notes this information in your child’s school health record. This medical record is kept confidential. 

Please contact your school nurse for your child’s BMI results, they will not be sent home to you. Please refer to this table for an interpretation of the results:

A BMI UNDER 5%: AT RISK: UNDERWIEGHT

A BMI BETWEEN 5-85%: HEALTHY WEIGHT

A BMI >85-<95%: OVERWEIGHT

A BMI 95% AND ABOVE: OBESE

Remember your child’s healthcare provider knows your child and your family history. He/she is the best person to evaluate whether or not your child’s measurements are within a healthy range. Your healthcare provider can assist you in planning a healthy diet and exercise program for your child.

Children's Health Insurance Program

The Children's Health Insurance Program — or CHIP — is Pennsylvania's program to provide health coverage to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medicaid/Medical Assistance.

Regardless of the reasons your children might not have health insurance, CHIP may be able to help you. 

Delaware County Infectious Disease Prevention for Schools and Early Childcare Programs

The Pennsylvania Public School Code Section 1402. Health Services (e) requires that students upon original entry, sixth grade and 11th grade be given a "comprehensive appraisal" of their health. Documentation of these private examinations shall be made and the report(s) provided to the District up to one year prior to the opening of the school year during which the District physician or dentist's examination is scheduled.

The Pennsylvania Public School Code 28 Section 23.3(a) states dental examinations shall be required on original entry into school and in grades three and seven. 

Private Examinations
Parents or guardians may submit a required medical or dental report of a private examination made at their own expense by their family physician or family dentist on a form approved by the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health for this purpose in place of a medical or dental examination conducted by the District physician or dentist. Documentation of these private examinations shall be made and the report(s) provided to the District up to one year prior to the opening of the school year during which the District physician or dentist's examination is scheduled.

Physician’s Order for Prescription & Over-the-counter medication (Consent Form) 

Medicaid for Children with Special Needs (PH95)

Medicaid for Children with Special Needs (PH95) provides full and free Medical Assistance (MA) coverage to children up to age 18 with disabilities whose parents make too much money to qualify for traditional Medicaid categories.

Safer Foods/Smart Snack List

Is Your Child Too Sick for School?

A sniffle. A cough. A sore throat. Children come down with illnesses big and small. Some are contagious, but some aren’t.

How do you know when to keep your child home from school?

• A temperature of 100 degrees or more within the past 24 hours 

• Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours

• A positive throat culture for strep: the student should be on antibiotic treatment for 24 hours before returning to school

• A fever accompanied by body aches and flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose or persistent cough.

• A red-eye with crust, mucous or excessive tearing (until diagnosed by a physician and treated with medication for 24 hours if conjunctivitis (pink eye))

• If your child requires any medication stronger than Tylenol or Ibuprofen for pain

Parents should consider:

A sick child who returns to school too soon is at risk of contracting 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 diseases. 

Communicable diseases

Please notify your school if your child develops any communicable conditions such as Strep Throat, Chicken Pox, Pinworm, Impetigo (Skin Lesion with honey-brown crusts), Pertussis, COVID, or any other communicable disease. 

Please contact your physician for further evaluation or questions.

Urgent Care Vs. Emergency Room Info Graphic

IMPORTANT: If you are experiencing chest pain, severe bleeding, or symptoms of a stroke, call 911. Urgent Care Vs. Emergency Room

Text HealthyDelco to 888-777 to receive Health Department notifications.