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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    3

    Default Note from Doctor to School for Special Requirement

    My question involves education law in the State of: Pennsylvania

    My daughter is not able to handle being in heat for longer than a few hours. This has been a problem that we have encountered since birth. This is her first year in Kindergarten and her school is not air conditioned. Last week, 20 minutes before school was over, we received a call from the school nurse that stated she was vomiting and needed to be picked up. I found this odd since she was showing no signs of being sick in the morning. My husband picked her up and brought her home. She vomited twice more before she fell asleep and slept for several hours. (FYI: all times that she vomited is was clear)

    When she woke up, I asked what happened. She stated her "forehead hurt". This makes sense because when she is in an 'extreme heat setting' she does get migraines. The next morning I contacted her teacher to inquire more about what had happened. She said she started crying and screaming hysterically and vomited several times at school. She also spoke with the school nurse that morning and the school nurse thought she was having a stroke. I immediately asked about the requirements for requesting an air conditioner be installed in her classroom and was told that I needed a note from her Doctor.

    This is not an unusual request because several rooms have window air conditioners placed in them due to a note from one of the students Doctors; unfortunately, my daughters room is not one of them. I immediately contacted the Doctor and received a note stating that once is needed.

    Of course, I got attitude when I presented it to the Principal and nurse; however, I also explained that she does have a medical condition and we are going back to see the neurology department at the local children's hospital. The nurse also stated to me that she thought she was having a heat stroke. I asked her that the next time this happens, that she should contact 911. Since this happened, everyday I have been monitoring her core body temperature (via ear) and it has been on average of 3 degrees higher than her normal temperature.

    My question is, what is a reasonable amount of time for a Doctors accommodation request before I ask why it hasn't been done yet? I looked at the Department of Education web site to see if there is some sort of requirement for a Doctor's note, but I am unable to find any information. I also scanned Chapter 15 of the State Law to see if I can find any information there. I am unable to locate any reference towards a Doctors note.

    Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated!
    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Note from Doctor to School for Special Requirement

    You're not going to find a magic number of days.

    How long has it taken, so far?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Note from Doctor to School for Special Requirement

    It has been 5 school days. I feel that 5 days seem to be a reasonable amount of time. Tomorrow will be day 6. I am hoping that maybe they installed it over the weekend. I just wanted to have some information on the subject in case it isn't installed. I wasn't sure if there was some sort of rule or what would be considered a reasonable amount of time in this situation. I did check the student/parent handbook and nothing was stated.

    Maybe I should call and ask if they are able to have class in the Principals office since he does have air conditioning!

    Thanks for answering!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Officially across the country from where I've been all my life
    Posts
    4,494

    Default Re: Note from Doctor to School for Special Requirement

    You do know it takes longer than a week for an entity as big as a school district to get the money together to buy something like a printer or copy machine, right?

    This isn't like "someone get me a couple of hundred bucks and run down to the local Home Depot."

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Note from Doctor to School for Special Requirement

    I did ask if they have a unit on hand and the principal told me that they had several available that were in storage. I even offered to purchase one myself because I understand that they have a certain budget with strict guidelines that they must follow.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Note from Doctor to School for Special Requirement

    There is more to it than that....

    The room may have to have new wiring...

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