NEW: Parent University

Getting Involved and Staying in Touch

SuperPAC

Policies and Important Information

Health Information

Home Schooling

Parent-Child Resource Center

Sports Calendar

ParentCONNECT

Information About Sex Offenders


Health Information


Child Health Plus

Clothing

Emergency and annual health history cards

All exams are not created equal

Insurance

Junior and Senior High School sports

Lice policy

Mandated immunization requirements

New York State Mandated Physicals

Medication policy

Nutrition

Physical activity

Required health screenings

Sleep

Students with special health needs

Wellness policy

When a student becomes ill or injured in school

Work permits




Child Health Plus

     This goal of this state program is to help children receive the health care they need. It offers free or low-cost health insurance to eligible children up to 19 years of age and makes sure that all enrolled children receive basic and preventive health care benefits. We encourage you to call their toll-free number at 1-800-282-0068 to get more information and for an enrollment packet if your child does not have health care coverage.


Back to Top of Page...



Clothing

     All students should dress appropriately for the day's weather conditions. Being comfortable will help them to be more successful in the classroom.


Back to Top of Page...



Emergency and annual health history cards

     This emergency card has vital information about your child that is needed by the health office.

     It is very important that this information be completed, in full, with accurate names, addresses and phone numbers.

     We contact only those listed by you on this card. If there are any changes, please contact the health office at your child's school.

     Many times when students become ill or injured at school (sometimes seriously), the phone numbers we have on file are not useful for various reasons.

     Please keep the health office informed and up-to-date with phone numbers and emergency contacts.


Back to Top of Page...



All exams are not created equal

     The goal of the physical is to identify health factors that contribute to or interfere with your child's ability to function satisfactorily in school. The physical appraisal that is done in school is not intended to replace the more thorough physical with your child's personal physician.

     Every child needs a "medical home" where they are followed throughout their years. The school does not and cannot replace the care available with one's own health care provider. The complete physical done by your child's personal physician is designed to offer both parents and child and opportunity to discuss all aspects of life that have any bearing on the overall health of the child and family. This overview of how well the child is coping at his/her stage of development becomes very important during the pre-teen and teen years in view of the complex problems kids face in society today. This more thorough assessment cannot be accomplished in the school setting.

     It is the strong feeling of the school district's health professionals as well as the health care providers in the community that the physical done in school should not replace the bi-annual physical exam with your child's personal provider.


Back to Top of Page...



Insurance

     Many parents have questions about insurance coverage when there is an injury during a school function.

     If there is personal insurance coverage, that becomes the primary coverage. If there are additional claim balances after being submitted to the primary coverage, you may call the Insurance Office at 735-3015 to apply for possible coverage for an incident occurring at school.


Back to Top of Page...



Junior and senior high school sports

     All students interested in participating must have a physical annually. These are given in the school. Students may also have this done by their own private physician; the student must then see that a written report is given to the school's heath office. The chief school physician has the final approval for participation.

     There is also health screening and paperwork involved in this process.

     An athlete may not practice or participate without the approval of the school officer.

     Students who have been injured or seriously ill must have a release from their physician to be considered for re-qualification.


Back to Top of Page...



Mandated immunization requirements

Minimum immunization requirements for school attendance:

Pre-Kindergarten


Kindergarten-Grade 12


Parents are responsible for:

  1. Getting their child properly immunized, including boosters.
  2. Getting written verification of these from the office or clinic that gave them.
  3. Giving this written verification to the child's health office as soon as possible.

Back to Top of Page...



New York State Mandated Physicals


These may be done at school by the school physician or nurse practitioner, or by your private health care provider with written documentation given to the school by Oct. 31. Any physical done after Sept. 1, 2005 is valid for the 2006-07 school year.

     The school nurse will contact the parents of all students with questionable results or concerns.


Back to Top of Page...



Medication policy

     The following is required for any medication to be taken in school. This includes pain relievers and cold/cough medicine.

  1. A written order by a licensed prescriber.
  2. A written request from the parent or guardian to give the medication in school as ordered by the licensed prescriber.
  3. An adult must deliver the medication in a properly labeled original container to the school. (Medication in baggies cannot be accepted.)
  4. All medications are kept in a locked cabinet in the health office.
  5. It is the parent's responsibility to take care of these matters during school hours. Other staff members are not able to deal with these in the absence of the health service staff.
  6. Contact your child's health office with any concerns/questions.

Back to Top of Page...



Nutrition

     All children are still growing and developing, so their bodies have specific nutritional needs. Children need a well-balanced diet throughout their day. This will promote optimal mental alertness and learning as well as growth.

     Children who eat breakfast perform better in school and score significantly higher on achievement tests. They work faster, are more creative and make fewer mistakes than breakfast-skippers.

     If it is not possible for your child to have breakfast at home, ask about the school's breakfast program.


Back to Top of Page...



Physical activity

     Physical activity should be a daily part of your child's life.

     Childhood obesity is on the rise. In order to prevent this, we must encourage daily aerobic activity. A few good examples would be to walk, swim, ride a bike, climb stairs, jump rope, mow the lawn, roller-blade or ice skate for at least 15 minutes a day.

     It is quality time to do this together. Setting a good example while having time with your child will have positive long-term results.

     If we encourage our children and participate in physical activity with them daily, this will become a life-long activity. Our children will be healthier both now and into their adult years.


Back to Top of Page...



Required health screenings

Growth (height and weight)

Grades 2, 4, 7 and 10, and all new entrants to the district

Vision

Distance: Grades 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10, and all new entrants.
Near, color perception, plus lens: All new entrants

Hearing

Grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10, and all new entrants.

Scoliosis

Grades 5-9.

Blood pressure

Grades 2, 4, 7 and 10, and all new entrants.


Back to Top of Page...



Sleep

     Researchers say the average American is sleep-deprived, and young people need the most sleep. The average kindergartner needs about 12 hours of sleep a night and the adolescent about 9.5. One cannot compensate for lack of sleep by diet, exercise or anything else. Prolonged sleep loss can harm the body's ability to fight disease, repair injuries and be fully alert. A good night's sleep is an essential part of every daily fitness routine. Most children, regardless of age, need their parents' guidance to get to bed on time. Bedtime is an excellent time to really "connect" with children, to make them feel special, read stories, hear about their day, give hugs and kisses.


Back to Top of Page...



Students with special health needs

     It is very important that parents inform the health office staff of any health concerns a child has that might require special attention. These might include diabetes, asthma, severe allergies, such as peanuts or bee stings, and hearing/vision loss.

     The RN will plan with the parent for daily care and/or emergencies. You may call the health office or use the Emergency and Annual Health History card to bring this to the health office's attention.


Back to Top of Page...



When a student becomes ill or injured in school

     The school district provides first aid care only; we are not able to make a medical diagnosis of what is wrong with a child, nor are we able to provide treatment needed. We cannot and do not provide the same types of care provided in your child's doctor's office or in a hospital's emergency department.

     If a student has a problem, the Health Services staff will:

  1. Provide first aid care.
  2. For a serious problem, use the telephone numbers provided by the parent to reach someone. This is why it is important for you to notify us of any changes.
  3. For a mild or a minor problem, routine first aid care will be given. It would be nice if there were enough time to call the parent of every student seen in the health office, but that is just not physically possible.
  4. Some students will be given a written note, which they are instructed to place in their pocket, bookbag or backpack and take home to the parent. It is then their responsibility to give this to the parent.
  5. If there is a potentially life-threatening situation, the 911 system would be activated.

Back to Top of Page...



Work permits

     Work permits are issued at school to those students who want to work. The student must have an application signed by the parent, an updated health history and a current physical exam on file in the health office.

     Students who might want to work during the summer and need a permit should make the request in the spring months when the health office staff is working. Students must be at least 14 years old unless they want a newspaper permit.


Back to Top of Page...