Health Services

School Nurses work in collaboration with students, parents/guardians, school disciplines, and healthcare professionals to maintain the student's optimum level of health and wellness. This is important for the student to grow physically, social-emotionally, and academically.

Some of the School Nurses' Responsibilities include:

Caring for students and staff who are sick or injured
Caring for students with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, life-threatening allergies, and more
Administering medications according to school policy and nursing protocols
Reviewing and confirming vaccination/immunization records
Administering state mandated health screenings
Preventing the spread of communicable diseases in the school community
Connecting students and families to health resources
Providing mental health support to students and families
Promoting and supporting a healthy school community through education

All the nurses maintain an open-door policy for students, parents, and staff. Please call or email if you have any questions or concerns about the health of your child, medication administration, and/or treatments that are required during school hours.

Shippensburg Area High School

Mrs. Amber Ausherman: BSN, RN, CSN (717-530-2730, ext. 6930) (email: amber.ausherman@ship.k12.pa.us)

Mrs. Lisa Banks: Health Room Assistant (email: lisa.banks@ship.k12.pa.us)

Mrs. Ausherman (Nurse Amber) has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Wilson College and School Nurse Certification from Millersville University. She has been with the district since 2022 and the high school nurse at SASHS since 2024. Her previous work experience as a nurse includes 8 years in a family practice office and her first two years with Shippensburg School District as the float nurse.

Mrs. Banks is certified in CPR & First Aid. She also serves as our Life Guard during instruction in the pool.

Mrs. Garman has a Master of Science in Education degree from Wilkes University, a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Bloomsburg University, a School Nurse Certification from Slippery Rock University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Penn State University. She has worked in a variety of health care settings including pediatrics, orthopedic, psychiatric, home health, and geriatrics. She has been a Certified School Nurse for 15 years.

Ms. Krall is certified in CPR and First Aid.

Shippensburg Area Intermediate School

Mrs. Sarah Covell: LPN (717-530-3189, ext. 3930) (email: sarah.covell@ship.k12.pa.us)

Mrs. Covell graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse from the Franklin Country Career and Technology Practical Nursing Program in 2013. She continued her education with Excelsior College and graduated with an Associates Degree as a Registered Nurse in 2015. Sarah’s work experience includes nursing home, pediatric home care, and even a veterinarian practice for a few years.

Nancy Grayson Elementary School

Mrs. Teresa O’Neal: MEd, BSN, RN, CSN (717-530-2770, ext. 2930) (email: teresa.oneal@ship.k12.pa.us)
Mrs. Jessica Beckley: LPN (email: jessica.beckley@ship.k12.pa.us)

Mrs. O’Neal has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh, School Nurse Certification from Slippery Rock University and earned a Master of Science in Education from Wilkes University in 2009. She has been an elementary school nurse at SASD since August 2005 and has worked a variety of health care settings including hospital medical-surgical nursing, nursing home and clinical instructor for the hospital education department.

Mrs. Beckley has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Penn State Mont Alto and School Nurse Certification from Millersville University. She has been working in the district since 2022, where she started as a substitute nurse. She has worked as an emergency room nurse since she graduated in 2021. She has worked in a variety of healthcare settings, before becoming a nurse, such as occupational therapy assistant in acute care, long-term care, and rehab.

James Burd Elementary School

Mrs. Kathy Merideth: MSN, BSN, RN, CSN (717-530-2780, ext. 3930)
(email: kathy.merideth@ship.k12.pa.us)

Mrs. Merideth has a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Wilson College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and School Nurse Certification from Slippery Rock University. She has been an elementary school nurse at SASD since December 2006. She has worked in a variety of health care settings including hospital medical-surgical nursing, critical care, cardiac nursing and cardiac rehabilitation, and case management.

Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School

Mrs. Deanna Rand: LPN (717-477-1123 , ext. 3082) (email: DERand@ship.edu)

Mrs. Rand graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse from the Franklin County Career and Technology Practical Nursing Program in 2009. Deanna's work experience includes nursing homes, pediatric home care, pediatrician's office and also currently works summers and occasional school year weekend in a medical/surgical department of a hospital.

***Always seeking substitute nurses, LPNs and RNs. If interested please reach out to the SASD - Human Resources department at 717-530-2700 ext. 1032 or 1033***

Click on the links below to find the health form needed:

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Dental Exam

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Dental Exam (Es)

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Medical Plan of Care for School Food Services

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Medication Administration Form

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Physical

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Physical (Es)

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Possession/Use of Inhalers/Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

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There has been a change to our district medication policy. Students are NOT permitted to bring any medication to school or take home medications. ALL medications must be brought into school and picked up by a parent or designated adult. If you have any questions, please contact your student's building nurse.

All medications should be brought to the school in their original bottle or package from the store/pharmacy/doctor’s office and clearly labeled with the student’s name and directions for administration.

Prescription Medication: Administration of prescription medication to students shall be done only in circumstances when the student’s health may be jeopardized without it. A medication form completed and signed by the physician and the parent is necessary before any prescription medication may be administered at school.

Over-the-counter Medication: Only the parent/guardian needs to complete the medication administration form and the requested dosage should follow the recommended dosage on the label. The school physician will sign the form.

Tylenol: Acetaminophen may be administered to students and staff as per Nursing Protocols for School Health Services at the discretion of the school health room licensed staff with written permission by a parent/guardian noted on the School Medical Update Form. Verbal confirmation from parents of elementary school students is required before AM administration (to avoid repeat dosage). Parents are to be notified if a student requires more than one dose during the school day.

Cough Drops: Cough drops and lozenges are not considered to be medications. However, for safety reasons, they are to be kept in the nurse’s office. They are to be taken as needed according to package directions. Parental permission is required for all students in grades K-3 before cough drops/lozenges may be taken at school.

Asthma Inhalers and Epinephrine Auto-Injectors: A student (or parent/guardian) may request to self-carry an asthma inhaler or an epinephrine auto-injector during school hours. The student must demonstrate to the nurse the ability to know when and how to administer the medication related to the inhaler or the auto-injector. School staff will be notified that the student may self-carry the device. Upon use of the device, the student will report directly to the nurse who will evaluate the student and document use of the device. Parent/Guardian will be notified immediately of use. The following form needs to be completed by parent/guardian and student to self-carry Asthma Inhalers and Epinephrine Auto-Injectors Consent form

Sunscreen: A student may apply a non aerosol sunscreen during school hours when the necessary form is completed by the parent/guardian and student.

Medication Administration Form

The Pennsylvania Public School Code requires certain school health services/screenings be performed. The following is a list of these services/screenings:

Physical Exam - upon entry to school (which is usually Kindergarten), 6th grade, and 11th grade

Physical Exam Form

Dental Exam - upon entry to school (which is usually Kindergarten), 3rd grade, and 7th grade

Dental Exam Form

Scoliosis Screening * - conducted in Grades 6 & 7

Hearing Screening - conducted in Grades K - 3, 7, 11

Height, Weight, BMI **, and Vision Screening - conducted in Grades K-12

Parents/guardians are encouraged to have Physical and Dental Exams completed by their private healthcare providers and documentation provided to the school nurse. If this is not possible, they can be completed free of charge by our school physician and/or dentist. The school nurse will accept reports of privately conducted physical and dental exams completed within ONE YEAR prior to the student's entry into the grade which the exam is required.

Parents/guardians will be informed of any failed screenings and a referral for further evaluation with the appropriate healthcare professional will be recommended.

*What is Scoliosis? Click on Resource Tab on left hand side to take to resource page and more information.

**What is BMI? Click on Resource Tab on left hand side to take to resource page and more information.

StayHealthy!

Wash your hands often throughout the day

Cover your mouth whensneezing or coughing

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Get adequate sleep at night (8-10 hours)

Do not share drinks or food

Eat from all food groups on the food pyramid, as recommended

Eat a breakfast at home or school - which is important for learning

Exercise 3-5 times a week

Dress appropriately for the weather

Interact and have fun with friends

Find healthy ways to relieve stress

***Washing your hands is one of the most important ways to stay healthy and to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. Important times to wash your hands is before eating or preparing food, after using the bathroom, after playing outside, after contact with animals and pets, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.***

Things to Know!

Please inform your school nurse with any changes in your child's health condition

Please send your child to school with a water bottle - hydration is important for staying healthy

If your child is in elementary school - please consider keeping an extra change of clothes in their backpack for any possible accidents

A sick child is not able to concentrate, participate, and learn effectively at school. Keeping a sick child at home provides the child time to rest and feel better, along with preventing the spread of illness to others. Some general guidelines to when to keep your child home from school are:

FEVER- your child should stay home from school if has a fever of 100.0 degrees or higher. Your child may return to school when fever free for 24 hours without any type of fever reducing medication such as Tylenol or Motrin.

VOMITING or DIARRHEA - your child should stay home from school if having vomiting and/or diarrhea and may return to school when vomiting and/or diarrhea fee for 24 hours, when related to illness and no other known cause.

EYES (RED/PINK with DRAINAGE) - sometimes eyes can be swollen and irritated by allergens. Your child should stay home from school and be evaluated by a physician for possible Bacterial Pink Eye, which is contagious, if redness is accompanied with thick mucus or drainage, crustiness of eyelids, puffiness, itchiness, and pain. If the doctor prescribes antibiotic eye drops for your child, then your child needs to stay home for 24 hours after starting the eye drops before returning to school.

STREPT THROAT - if a doctor has diagnosed your child with strept. throat and prescribed antibiotics, your child needs to stay home for 24hrs after starting the antibiotics before returning to school.

WEB PAGE IN PROCESS OF CHANGES

Health (Nursing) Services

Meet Our Nurses

Health Forms

Health Resources

Immunization Requirements

Medication Administration

State Mandated Health Screenings

Ticks and Tickborne Diseases - Act 120

Tips for Staying Healthy & Things to Know

Type 1 Diabetes Information - Act 117

When to Keep Your Child Home From School

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