School Nurses

The school nurse has the primary responsibility for administering any medications to students.

A written order from the student’s attending physician must be on file in the school’s health office for prescription and over-the-counter medication, as well as a written request from the parent or guardian. The medication should be delivered to the school nurse by the parent or guardian in the original prescription container marked clearly with the full name of the student who is taking it. Over-the-counter medication must be in the new and unopened container it was sold in. Parents will also need to sign a consent form giving the nurse permission to administer the medication. That form can be found below.

Beginning July 1, 2018 all New York State public school students must have a health exam when they enter school as a new entrant and in Pre-K or Kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These examinations must be completed on the approved NYSED Student Health Examination Form for School for the health exam.

A dental certificate which states your child has been seen by a dentist or dental hygienist is also asked for at the same time. The school will provide you with a list of dentists and registered dental hygienists who offer dental services on a free or reduced cost basis if you ask for it.

• A copy of the health examination must be provided to the school within 30 days from when your child first starts at the school, and when your child starts K , 1st , 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th,  & 11th grades. If a copy is not given to the school within 30 days, the school will contact you.
• If your child has an appointment for an exam during this school year that is after the first 30 days of school, please notify the Health Office with the date.
• A physical appraisal form and dental certificate for your health care providers can be found to the right under Related Files.
• Communication between private and school health staff is important for safe and effective care at school. Your healthcare provider may not share health information with school health staff without your signed permission. Please talk to your provider about signing their consent form for the school at the time of your child’s appointment for the examination. 

We suggest you make copies of the completed forms for your own records before sending them to your child's school health office. We appreciate your time in collaborating with us to provide your child and our student with the required documentation as required by law.

The New York State Education Department requires certain screening exams at certain ages or grades of children as listed below. The New York State Department of Health also requires that your private health care provider reports and the school district collects information on your child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and Weight Status Category (WSC). You may fulfill these legal obligations by having your personal physician conduct the screening exams privately and then notifying the school nurse not to do the examinations. You will then present your child’s private certificates to the school prior to screening dates. If you have not provided a certificate or notified the nurse of your plan to have the screenings done privately by the time the nurse conducts the school screenings, the district will follow NYS Education Department mandates and will conduct the screening as scheduled. Please communicate regularly with your school nurse to avoid confusion.

The following screening evaluations are conducted by the school nurse who will advise you of any concerns:

1. Distance visual acuity for all new entrants and for children in kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11 and at any other time deemed appropriate.
2. Near visual acuity for all new entrants within six months of entrance.
3. Color perception for all new entrants within six months of entrance.
4. Hearing acuity for all new entrants and for those in kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 and at any other time deemed essential.
5. Scoliosis screening (curvature of the spine) boys grade 9 and girls grades 5 and 7.

Please note when your child has a routine complete health exam mandated for students in kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. It is also a good time to schedule a complete dental examination with your dentist. You may give the dental certificate to your school nurse either with or separately from your health certificate, but both should be submitted to the school nurse by September 30 for students in the aforementioned grades. Thank you for your cooperation.

The physical and mental well-being of our students is a primary concern. If a student has suffered a concussion, the student shall not return to physical activity (including athletics, physical education class and recess) until he/she has been symptom-free for not less than twenty-four (24) hours, and has been evaluated and received written authorization from a licensed physician. All such authorizations shall be communicated with the school nurse and will be kept on file in the student’s permanent health record. The standards for return to athletic activity will also apply to injuries that occur outside of school. School staff should be aware that students may exhibit concussion symptoms caused by injuries from outside activities and that these visible symptoms also indicate a removal from play. The District shall follow any directives issued by the student’s treating physician with regard to limitations and restrictions on school and athletic activities for the student.  For additional information please review District Policy 7522.