Health Services

All districts must provide and maintain a continuous program of health services which includes, but is not limited to:

  • Providing medical examinations and health screenings designed to determine the health status of the student
  • Informing parents or other persons in parental relation to the student, pupils and teachers of the individual student’s health condition subject to federal and state confidentiality laws. The district will provide this notice in writing if the district becomes aware that the student has defective sight or hearing or a physical disability, including sickle cell anemia, or other condition which may require professional attention with regard to health.
  • Guiding parents, students and teachers in procedures for preventing and correcting defects and diseases and for the general improvement of the health of students
  • Instructing school personnel in procedures to take in case of accident or illness
  • Maintaining a program of education to inform school personnel, parents, non-school health agencies, welfare agencies and the general public regarding school health conditions, services and factors relating to the health of students
  • Providing inspections and supervision of the health and safety aspects of the school facilities
  • Providing health examinations before participation in strenuous physical activity and periodically throughout the season as necessary
  • Providing health examinations necessary for the issuance of employment certificates, vacation work permits, newspaper carrier certificates and street trades badges
  • Surveying and making necessary recommendations concerning the health and safety aspects of school facilities and the provision of health information

COVID-19

Schoharie CSD is following the latest guidance from the New York State Department of Health regarding COVID-19. For more information, please review “What Parents/Caregivers Should Know about COVID Mitigation Strategies for the 2022-2023 School Year” (August 2022).  

Illness/positive COVID test

As with any infectious illness, students and staff who test positive for COVID-19, or who show symptoms, are asked to stay home from school and follow the Centers for Disease Control’s Isolation Guidance.  

  • Someone who tested positive and has no symptoms may return to school after day 5. 
  • Someone who is sick (has symptoms) may return to school after day 5 if they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving.

People who have been sick, or tested positive, should wear a mask through day 10. 

Testing

Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin. 

At-home test kits 

Schoharie CSD provides at-home COVID-19 test kits for students. If you need a home COVID test, please contact the Elementary or Jr./Sr. High School offices.

COVID-19 vaccination

COVID-19 vaccinations are not required to attend school. Children ages 6 months and older are all eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Children older than 5 are eligible for a booster. For more information, visit ny.gov/vaxtoschool. 

Masks

Any student or staff member may wear a mask while at school to prevent the spread of illness. Mask-wearing is recommended for at least 10 days following a positive COVID test, or COVID illness. 

Health and safety protocols 

Routine cleaning in our school buildings continues to be an important strategy for reducing the spread of illness. High-risk areas such as health offices, classrooms, lunchrooms, athletic rooms, bathrooms and high-traffic areas are cleaned daily. High-touch surfaces such as lunch tables, desks, chairs, light switches and handrails are cleaned regularly.

Health Screenings

Schoharie’s Health Services program supports student academic success by promoting health in the school setting. One way that we provide care for your student is by performing health screenings that are mandated by the State of New York. Any time your child has a new immunization, please give the school nurse a copy for your child’s official record.

During the school year, the following screenings will be required or completed at school:

  • Health Appraisal/Physical: New York State law requires a health examination for all students entering the school district for the first time and when entering Pre-K or K, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th grade. The examination must be completed by a New York State licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. 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 Pre-K or K, 1st, 3rd , 5th, 7th, 9th and 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.
  • Scoliosis Screening: At least once each school year for all students in grades 5-9.
  • Vision Screening: To all students who enroll in a school of this state including at a minimum color perception, distance acuity, near vision within six months of  admission to the school; in addition, all students shall be screened for distance  acuity in grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 and at any other time deemed necessary.
  • Hearing Screening: To all students within six months of admission to the school and in grades Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10, and at any other time deemed necessary.
  • Dental Certificate: The certificate should state that your child has been seen by a dentist or dental hygienist. Upon request, the school can provide you with a list of dentists and registered dental hygienists who offer dental services on a free or at a  reduced cost.

When Your Child is Sick

Contact your child’s school health office to report any absence, and please note your child’s major complaint or illness. Please be aware that a written note is required by New York State law for all absences and late arrivals.

When Should My Child Stay Home?

Please help us prevent infection by keeping your children home when they have:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever higher than 100.0 degrees in the past 24 hours
  • Uncontrollable coughing
  • Strep throat (if on medication less than 24 hours) or
  • Conjunctivitis (if on medication less than 24 hours)

Health Alerts and Allergies

It is imperative that the school nurse be aware of any medical conditions your child has. This includes existing medical conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes) and allergies (e.g., environmental, food, bee stings, insect bites). Please keep the school updated on any changes in your child’s medical conditions and/or medications.

Medications at School

Parents must bring any medication to the school nurse. Students must never bring medication on the bus to take to school. For medication to be administered at the school, parents must supply:

BMI Reporting to New York State

Because New York State is interested in data about children’s health, schools are required to keep height and weight data and to calculate students’ Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a way of checking for underweight or overweight youngsters based on their height and weight. Some schools will be surveyed by the state Department of Health each year and asked to share the number of pupils they have in each of six possible BMI categories based on students’ age and sex. If our district is surveyed by the state, we will only share group data (for instance, the number of second grade boys whose BMI is below the fifth percentile), not individual data. However, if parents wish their child’s data to be excluded from such group calculations, they may do so by contacting their school nurse.

Health History for Sports Participation/Sports Physicals

Prior to the start of tryout sessions or practice at the beginning of each season, a health history review must be conducted for each athlete, unless he/she received a full medical exam within 30 days of the season’s start. All athletes must schedule a physical with Dr. Davis, Schoharie Central School’s physician, or can choose to have their sports physical with their own physicians. Required forms can found on the Forms page.

Influenza (The flu)

The flu, or influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that comes on suddenly and can involve other symptoms. Adults can spread the flu from one day before getting sick to up to 5 days after getting sick. This can be longer in children and in people who don’t fight disease as well (people with weaker immune systems).

Children with the flu should stay home until they have no fever without the use of fever-control medicines and feel well for 24 hours. Infants and young children are at greater risk for getting seriously ill from the flu. That’s why the New York State Department of Health recommends that all children 6 months and older get the flu vaccine.
Read more about the flu.

    Weather Safety

    The district reviews weather conditions, temperature and wind-chill as needed to determine if outdoor activities are safe for students and staff. 

    Automatic External Defibrillators

    Public schools districts are required to have Automated External Defibrillators in each instructional school building and at athletic events.