Health Services

When to keep your child home

If your child is not feeling well, please do NOT send them to school. We are committed to maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment for our students. We need your help in reducing the spread of infectious illnesses in our school buildings.

Your child should NOT attend school and their doctor should be contacted if they have:

• A temperature of 100.4 or greater. They must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication (Tylenol or Ibuprofen)
• A persistent cough
• Heavy amount of nasal discharge (mucus) or nasal congestion with face pain or headache
• Vomited or had diarrhea within the last 24 hours
• A painful sore throat or a sore throat that has lasted more than 24-48 hours. (Note: if your child has been diagnosed with a strep throat infection, they must be on antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
• Ear pain or fluid draining from their ear
• Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth
• An unidentified rash
• Generally not feeling like themselves

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Immunization requirements

Children attending day care and pre-K through 12th grade in New York State must receive all required doses of vaccines on the recommended schedule in order to attend or remain in school. This is true unless they have a valid medical exemption to immunization. This includes all public, private, and religious schools. A medical exemption is allowed when a child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving a vaccine. There are no nonmedical exemptions to school vaccine requirements in NYS.

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Health Exam Requirements

The New York State Education Department requires health exams (physicals) for students who:

• Enter the school district for the first time;
• Are in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11;
• Participate in interscholastic sports in grades 7-12.

Health exams are acceptable if administered not more than 12 months prior to the beginning of the school year in which the examination is required.

We suggest that the health exam be done by the family physician as he/she is the one who best knows the family. He/she is better able to judge any change or deviation in the child’s state of health and can discuss any recommendations directly with the parents at this time.

If a health exam form is not returned for students in the specified grades, those students will be scheduled to be examined by a school physician.

It is recommended that parents have children examined each year by the family physician whether this is required for school or not. Please have the health exam form returned to school if this is done.

Dental Certificates

New York State Education Law 903, Chapter 281, permits schools to request a dental examination report for all newly enrolled students and for students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

A list of dentists, to which students who need comprehensive dental examinations may be referred for treatment on a free or reduced-cost basis, is available upon request at your child’s school. Certificates must be signed by a licensed dentist.

Please note the dental health certificate is a request from the New York State Education Department.  Unlike the health appraisal form, students who do not submit the dental health certificate will be allowed to attend school.

The New York State Center for School Health provides a sample form that may be completed by a registered dentist or dental hygienist. Download a Dental Health Certificate – Optional or ask the school nurse for a copy.

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In-School Health Screenings

The district’s Health Services program supports student’s academic success by promoting health in the school setting. One way that our nurses provide care for students is by performing health screenings mandated by New York state.

During the school year, the following screenings will be required or completed at school. A letter will be sent home if there are any findings that would cause concern or need medical follow-up. Please call your child’s school health office if you have any questions or concerns.

Vision

• Distance and near acuity for all newly entering students and students in kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.
• Color perception screening for all newly entering students.

Hearing

• Hearing screening for all newly entering students and students in kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.

Scoliosis

• Scoliosis (spinal curvature) screening for all girls in grades 5 and 7 and boys in grade 9.

Medication Information and Administration

New York State Education Department Guidelines state that ALL medications, including over-the-counter medications, given at school, require the following:

• A completed Medication Authorization Form stating the name of the medication, dosage, frequency and time of administration signed by the parent or guardian and the child’s physician;
• Delivery of the medication to the health office by parent or guardian in a properly labeled pharmacy container or the original packaging if it is an over-the-counter medication.

Please note: A new medication order will be required at the beginning of every school year.

Elementary students are NOT allowed to carry medications to and from school. At the secondary level, emergency medications such as epi-pens and inhalers can be carried by those students who are determined to be self-directed with written orders from the student’s medical provider. The medication authorization form will be emailed to parents/guardians prior to the start of the school year.

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