Health Services

Welcome

The health and safety of our students, staff and visitors is of the utmost importance to the Schoharie CSD. We 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

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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.

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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)

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Covid-19

Schoharie CSD is following the latest guidance from the New York State Department of Health regarding COVID-19.

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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.

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Immunization Requirements

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility under the Public Health Law to ensure that the children under its charge are immunized against measles, polio, diphtheria, mumps, rubella, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B, varicella, pertussis (commonly known as whooping cough) and tetanus. The Board, therefore, requires that a physician’s certificate or some other acceptable evidence of immunization be submitted for all children entering and presently attending school.

The Board directs the administration not to permit any child lacking evidence of immunization to remain in school for more than fourteen (14) days, or thirty (30) days for an out-of-state transferee who can show an effort to obtain the necessary evidence or certification. The administration should notify the local health authority of the name and address of the child, as well as to provide the parent/person in parental relation to the child who has been denied admission or attendance a statement of his/her duty regarding immunization and a consent form prescribed by the Commissioner of Health. The school shall cooperate with the local health authorities to provide a time and place for the immunization of children lacking the same.

The complete Board Policy #7511 – IMMUNIZATION OF STUDENTS can be found on our BoardDocs website.

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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. Access the NYS Health Examination Form.
• 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 Health 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. Access a Dental Health Certificate Form.

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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:

• A completed Authorization for Administration of Medication in School form
• A note from the doctor stating the specific medication, dosage and time to be given
• Medication in a clearly labeled bottle from a pharmacy, with the current date

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Body Mass Index (BMI)

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.

If parents wish their child’s data to be excluded from such group calculations, they may do so by contacting their school nurse.

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