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Catasauqua Middle School
School Nurse Information

Donna Tercha RN BSN CSN
terchad@cattysd.org

Terri Bastow RN
bastowt@cattysd.org

Catasauqua Middle School
850 Pine Street
Catasauqua, PA  18032 
Phone: 610-264-4341 ext. 12030 or option 3
Fax: 610-264-5458
 

When should I keep my child home?

If your child presents with any of the following symptoms, please keep them home from school and seek
medical guidance.

SYMPTOMS:

  •  Fever/Chills
  •  Temperature greater than 100 degrees
  •  Shortness of Breath or Trouble Breathing
  •  New or Worsening Dry Cough
  •  New loss of taste or smell
  •  Sore Throat (different than Seasonal Allergies)
  •  Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  •  Suspicion of pink eye

MANDATED HEALTH SCREENINGS

The following are the state mandated health screenings which are conducted annually. It is the
responsibility of the parent to notify the school nurse and/or dental hygienist in writing if they wish to
decline these services and have them conducted by their own physician and/or dentist. This request
must be done each school year and submitted to the nurse/hygienist by the start of each school year.

  • Height, weight and BMI calculation on All Students annually
  • Vision screenings on All Students annually
  • Hearing screenings, using an audiometer, annually for students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 7, 11; for all
  • transfer students; and for all students with a past history of or suspected hearing problems

PHYSICAL EXAMS

Students entering school for the first time, in kindergarten or first grade, students entering 6th grade,
and students entering 11th grade must have a state mandated physical examination.

CASD offers free physical screening for any student who is unable to obtain a private physical
examination. Please contact the school nurse for a permission form

Dental Exams

Students entering school for the first time, in kindergarten or first grade, students entering 3rd grade,
and students entering 7th grade must have a state mandated dental examination. CASD has partnered
with Mobile Dentists, they offer dental services to students in school. Please contact the school nurse
for a permission form.

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS 

The following immunizations are required as a condition of attendance at school at any public, private,
or parochial school and intermediate unit, including all kindergartens, special education classes, and
vocational classes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

Children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following vaccines:

  • 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis *(1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)
  • 4 doses of polio** (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose
  • given)
  • 2 doses of measles***
  • 2 doses of mumps***
  • 2 dose of rubella (German measles)***
  • 3 doses of hepatitis B
  • 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or history of disease

Additionally, children entering 7th grade need the following:

  • 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) by the first day of 7th grade
  • 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) by the first day of 7th grade

*  Usually given as DTP or DTaP or DT or TD
** A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6
months after the previous dose.
*** Usually given as MMR

Additionally, children entering 12th grade need the following:

  • 1 dose of MCV by the first day of 12th grade.  If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose.

These requirements allow for the following exemptions: medical reasons, religious beliefs, or strong
moral or ethical conviction. Please contact the school nurse for an exemption form.

State Health Center- Pennsylvania Department of Health

Local branch of the PA Department of Health that provides immunizations for those who do not have
insurance or are underinsured.  Appointments are required.  
3730 Lehigh Street Suite #206
Whitehall, PA 18052
610-821-6770

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers free or low-cost health insurance for children and teens in Pennsylvania.

CHIP covers routine doctor visits, emergency care, prescriptions, vision, dental care, and more. Every child in Pennsylvania is eligible for CHIP regardless of family income, ensuring access to essential health services. For more information or to apply, visit the CHIP website or contact the district for assistance.

Visit CHIP's website for more information