Health Services

Nursing Staff

 
 
Ms. Myon ValentinoMiddle/High School412-881-4940ext. 2345[email protected]





Mrs. Cristy StipeticElroy Elementary412-881-4484ext. 3106[email protected]





Mrs. Lisa GaughanMoore Elementary412-881-7776ext. 5106[email protected]

Welcome Letter

Welcome Back to the 2025-26 school year! Whether you are new Kindergarten parent, new to the district, or a well-seasoned parent, the Brentwood Borough School District nurses welcome you! We look forward to working with you and your family to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all of our students. 

In this portion of the website, you will find helpful information regarding health requirements for attending school, as well as useful forms and information to aid in caring for your child while they are at school. If you ever need assistance, please contact your school's nurse. 

Just a few reminders:

Please keep your child home for the following:
  • Fever of more than 100 degrees or higher, students should be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school.
  • Vomiting in the past 24 hours
  • Constant and consistent coughing
  • Cold with heavy mucous secretions
  • Inflamed eyes with drainage/crusting
Kindergarten and 1st Grade students should have a complete change of clothes in their backpack. Bathroom accidents, food and muddy/wet clothing are a common occurrence.

Type 1 Diabetes Information for Families

Type 1 Diabetes Information

This type 1 diabetes information was developed pursuant to the Pennsylvania School Code (24 P.S.§ 1414.12) and is for school entities and nonpublic schools to provide to parents and guardians of incoming elementary school students and students entering grade six, beginning with the 2025-2026 School Year.  Type 1 diabetes in children is an autoimmune disease that can be fatal if untreated, and the guidance provided in this information sheet is intended to raise awareness about this disease.

Description

Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children and young adults but can occur at any age.

• Type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, but it generally appears at two noticeable peaks.
The first peak occurs in children between 4 and 7 years old. The second is in children
between 10 and 14 years old (Mayo Clinic).
 
Type 1 diabetes affects insulin production

• Normally the body turns the carbohydrates in food into glucose (blood sugar), the basic fuel for the body’s cells.
• The pancreas makes insulin, a hormone that moves glucose from the blood into the cells.
• In type 1 diabetes, the body’s pancreas stops making insulin, and blood glucose levels rise.
• Over time, glucose can reach dangerously high levels in the blood, which is called
hyperglycemia.
• Untreated hyperglycemia can result in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a life-threatening complication of diabetes.

Risk Factors Associated with Type 1 Diabetes

It is recommended that children displaying warning signs and symptoms associated with type 1 diabetes described below, should be screened (tested) for the disease by their health care provider.

Risk Factors

Researchers do not completely understand why some people develop type 1 diabetes and others do not. However, having a family history of type 1 diabetes can increase the likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes. Other factors might play a role in developing type 1 diabetes, including environmental triggers such as viruses. Type 1 diabetes is not caused by diet or lifestyle choices.

Warning Signs and Symptoms Associated with Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetic Ketoacidosis
 
Warning signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children develop quickly, in a few weeks or months, and can be severe. If your child displays the warning signs below, contact your child’s primary health care provider or pediatrician for a consultation to determine if screening your child for type 1 diabetes is appropriate:

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination, including bed-wetting after toilet training
• Increased hunger, even after eating
• Unexplained weight loss
• Feeling very tired
• Blurred vision
• Very dry skin
• Slow healing of sores or cuts
• Moodiness, restlessness, irritability, or behavior changes
 
DKA is a complication of untreated type 1 diabetes. DKA is a medical emergency. Symptoms include:
• Fruity breath
• Dry/flushed skin
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pains
• Trouble breathing
• Confusion

Type 1 Diabetes Treatments

There are no known ways to prevent type 1 diabetes. Once type 1 diabetes develops, medication is the only treatment. If your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, their health care provider will be able to help develop a treatment plan. Your child’s health care provider may refer your child to an endocrinologist, a doctor specializing in the endocrine system and its disorders, such as diabetes.
 
Contact your child’s school nurse, school administrator, or health care provider if you have
questions.
 
References

Pennsylvania Tick Information for Schools

In the United States, ticks can spread bacteria, viruses, and parasites (pathogens) that cause human diseases. In Pennsylvania, between 2019-2021, there were over 30,000 exposures to tick bites. In Allegheny County, approximately 8,900 ticks have been tested for disease, and 2,600 of those tested were infected.

In accordance with the passing of Senate Bill 232, by the Governor of Pennsylvania, amending Article XIV of the Public-School Code, effective December 30, 2024, a school nurse, school physician or designated employee of a school entity shall remove a tick from a student in accordance with guidelines issued by the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health and the Pennsylvania Public School Code. Furthermore, the school entity will be required to notify parents/guardians that a tick was removed from their student, inform parents of the potential for tick transmitted diseases, and recommend further steps to be taken once the tick has been removed, including when to seek medical treatment and how to have the tick tested for disease.
 
The Brentwood School nurses will make every effort to contact families prior to removing a tick from their student. In the event a parent/guardian is not able to be reached within a reasonable amount of time, the tick will be removed by staff, per state guidelines.
In the event a tick is found on your student at school the following procedure will take place:
  • Parent/guardian notification of the tick location.
  • Parent/guardian will have the option to come to school to remove the tick
  • If the parent is unable to come to school, the school nurse will remove the tick
  • The tick will be preserved for testing.
  • A letter to the parent/guardian will be sent home notifying parents of the tick removal with the following information.
  • Location of the tick that was removed
  • Information on tickborne disease/illness including signs and symptoms and when to seek treatment
  • Information on how to submit the tick for testing to the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania

CHIP Information

Notes From Your Nurse

Physical Exams
Medical Examination as required by Pa.Code 23.1, must be provided on original entry to school (Kindergarten), in grade 6 and grade 11. Physical exams must be submitted even if the student is virtual or Cyber. Please use the form below to meet the requirements of the mandated physical exam.

The school district will provide a physical exam in the spring by the school physician, for those students who do not provide a physical exam to meet the state requirements. 


Dental Exams
Dental examinations as required by Pa.Code 23.3, must be provided on original entry into school (Kindergarten) and in grades 3 and 7. Dental exams must be submitted even if the student is virtual or Cyber. Please use the form below to meet the requirements of the mandated dental exam.

The school district will provide a dental exam in the spring by the school dentist, for those students who do not provide a dental exam to meet the state requirements. 


Vaccinations
The following immunizations are required as a condition of attendance in the Commonwealth and must be submitted even if the student is virtual or Cyber. Proof of vaccination must be submitted within the first five (5) days of school attendance, or your child may be at risk for being excluded from school. 
 
For Attendance in ALL Grades
  • 4 doses of tetanus (usually given as DTP, DTaP, DT or Td). One dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday.
  • 4 doses of diphtheria (usually given as DTP, DTaP, DT or Td). One dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday.
  • 3 doses of polio One dose must be given on or after the 4th birthday.
  • 2 doses of measles (usually given as MMR) 
  • 1 dose of rubella (usually given as MMR)
  • 3 doses of hepatitis B 
  • 2 doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, evidence of immunity shown by laboratory confirmation of disease or written statement of history of chickenpox disease from a parent, guardian, or physician. 
 
For Entry into 7th Grade
  • 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap). If 5 years has elapsed since last tetanus immunization 
  • 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) 
 
For Entry into 12th Grade
  • Second dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) unless the first dose was received after 16 years of age 
 
 
Vaccine Exemptions
Medical, Religious, and Moral exemptions must be submitted in writing to the School Nurse’s Office.
The form below may be utilized for submitting exemption from vaccination. 

 
Vaccination Resources
Allegheny County Health Department offers vaccinations for children. Please visit their website for hours and location. 

 

Medical Forms

Complete this form for permission to administer common medication such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tums, etc..
This form needs to be completed for any prescription medication that is to be administered at school.
Physicals are required in Kindergarten, 6th and 11th grade.

Allergy, Asthma and Seizure Emergency Care Plans


The following links are for families who have students with specific medical conditions that require an Emergency Action Plan to be on file with the school nurse. These forms should be completed by the student's physician and parent and turned in to the school nurse. If you have any questions regarding these plans, please reach out to your building nurse.

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Plan

Asthma Action Plan

Seizure Action Plan
View text-based website