Health & Wellness

Absences other than sickness, health treatment, death in the family, religious obligations, approved cooperative work programs and impassable roads are considered illegal.

When a child is absent or tardy, parents are asked to phone the school nurse's office where the child attends. State law requires that every absence from school, legal or illegal, be explained by a written note from a parent or guardian upon the student's return to school. This note should specifically state the date and cause of absence and must be submitted to the nurse within three days of the student's absence. A dental or doctor's appointment is not usually a reasonable excuse for a whole day's absence unless the child is ill.

Early dismissal from school requires a written excuse from the parent or guardian indicating time, date and reason. In the event that a child does not report to school, and a parent or guardian or other designated adult (ex. baby sitter) has not phoned school to advise of the child's absence, the nurse will begin calls to contact the parent, guardian or responsible adult at home or work. Parents are reminded that a current telephone number where they may be reached during daytime hours must be on file in the school office.

New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164 mandates that schools shall not permit a child to be admitted to school unless the parent provides the school with a certificate of immunizations or proof from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant that the child is in the process of receiving the required immunizations. The certificate must specify the exact date each immunization was administered. Please refer to the chart below for the immunization requirements for school entrance.

In order for medications to be administered to a student in school, the following guidelines set by New York State must be met.

A written Medication Authorization Order from a doctor and written parental permission to administer the medication are required.

1. Written doctor's orders for prescription and non-prescription medications should include:

2. Special considerations:

3. Parental Responsibility

Parents of children who require special attention for medical reasons should discuss the issue with the school nurse as soon as possible after school starts.

New York State Education Law requires a Physical Examination as well as a Dental Health Certificate for students upon entrance to school (including those transferring from another school district) and routinely at grades K,1,3,5,7,9 and 11. Proof of this exam must be a signed physical appraisal form from a New York State licensed medical provider. (A physical exam performed within the 12 months prior to the start of school is acceptable. All forms are due by the first week of October.) Physicals are also required for participation in interscholastic sports and working papers.

We encourage your family physician to do the exam as he knows your child's medical history and can complete necessary immunizations. The school physician may perform the student's physical exam, if an appraisal is not submitted.

New York State Education Law also requires annual health screenings as indicated below.

Height & Weight: All students K-12

Vision: All students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11 are screened.

Hearing: All students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11 are screened.

Scoliosis: All girls in grades 5 and 7, boys in grade 9 are screened.

Physical examinations are required annually for those students participating in interscholastic sports.

The physical exam (Health Certificate/Appraisal Form) may be done by the school physician or the student's own physician. Sports physicals are valid for 12 months.

An Athletic Health History Form must be completed and signed by the student's parent prior to the actual physical exam and given to the physician for review. This form provides an in-depth look at the student's health history.

An Interval Health History Form as well as an Emergency Medical Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the student's parent prior to participation in each sport.

Students will not be allowed to begin practice until the above forms are completed and returned to their coach.

Insurance policies held by parents are the primary coverage for student injuries. The Board of Education provides a student insurance plan that serves as a supplement to the family's primary coverage.

Any injury must be reported to the nurse immediately. Any injury not reported to the school office or the school nurse will not be covered by school insurance. The school insurance has limited coverage.