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| Child Health and Well-Being | School Bus Safety Regulations | ||
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Medical Examinations
Students in Grades K and 2must have a medical examination. The medical examination requirement may be met in one of two ways. A “Health Certificate” can be obtained from the school, filled out by the child’s doctor, which is then returned to the school nurse. If a “Health Certificate” is not on file prior to school physicals, the school physician will conduct the examination. Please avoid duplication of services by returning the examination results by September 30 th, or notifying the School Nurse of a future appointment.
The nurse will follow up any concerns found in the medical examination. Parents are notified and urged to consult their own family physician for advice regarding medical conditions. If a private physician’s care is not possible, the school nurse can help the family locate other resources.
If you are not eligible for Medicaid and do not have access to health insurance for your children independently, affordable health insurance for all children is available in New York State through the Child Health Plus Program. The following health plans participate:
Just say that you are calling about Child Health Plus. Your child will be entitled to the same program benefits as any insured individual. Listing of available doctors may be modified.
Vision / Hearing Tests
Students are screened annually for vision and hearing. If a problem is suspected, the school nurse notifies parents and additional testing may be recommended. Students can be retested during the school year.
Cumulative Health Record
A record is kept for each child showing his/her growth and development, including all immunization records and problems requiring special needs.
Illness or Injury at School
Should a child be injured or become ill at school, the school nurse will telephone the home, work or emergency numbers provided. It is advisable for parents who are employed to have on file with the school office, their phone and at least two emergency phone numbers so that they may be contacted in an emergency. We will send ALL children home with a temperature of 100 or above. Please keep all children home for at least 24 hours after the fever has returned to normal without medication.
The School has no legal right to assume responsibility for medical care of students injured in school. ONLY immediate first aid may be given.
If a child has a chronic illness such as asthma or a condition that warrants frequent use of the bathroom, it is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school and classroom teacher in writing so that we are aware of the condition and can accommodate the child.
Legal Excuse for Absence
The State Education Department considers the following as legal excuses for absences:
* Regular doctor appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours whenever possible
Communicable Disease Control
In order to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and to insure rapid recovery with a minimum of after effects, it is advisable to keep a child home from school, when he/she shows significant signs of illness, such as a fever of 100 or more, a runny nose with green-yellowish discharge, vomiting, etc. A child may return to school when the child has a normal temperature for 24 hours.
When a child becomes ill at home, parents should notify the school health office in order to assist in preventing and controlling communicable diseases. The school nurse will be glad to talk with you regarding any questions you have.
Periodic health inspections may be needed to aid us in the prevention and control of communicable diseases. Parents/guardians will be notified as appropriate.
Immunizations
According to New York State Law, Regulation 66.3 and Chapter 926, children must be immunized in order to attend school in the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District. Failure to comply with this policy and State law will mean that your child will NOT be able to enter school until the immunization (polio, measles, diphtheria, rubella and mumps) is in process (an appointment has been made) or the immunization requirements are met.
The doctor may excuse a child if the immunization would be detrimental to his/her health; but it MUST BE IN WRITING and signed by a physician. If an outbreak of that disease occurs, the child will automatically be required to stay home.
Head Lice
Infestation by head lice is a common problem after the summer vacation. It does not mean that your child is unclean but only that he/she has come into contact with others who have lice. If your child becomes infected, he/she may not stay in school. The child must be treated with the appropriate medication and be lice free before returning to school. When an infestation occurs in school, the school nurse will check each child in the school. If a child is found with head lice, the parent will be called to take the child home for treatment.
Toilet Training
All children entering Kindergarten are expected to be toilet trained. In case of a toileting accident, parents are asked to keep a change of clothing in school. Children are expected to change their own clothing in the privacy of a bathroom. If a child cannot change or clean him/herself or does not have a change of clothing, parents will be called to bring clothing and change the child. For privacy and safety, school personnel are not allowed to change the clothing of a child.
Taking Medication During School Hours
A directive from the Bureau of Health Service of the New York State Education Department points out that the dispensing of
internal medication such as aspirin or antibiotics to the students is not only contrary to good health policy but is also contrary to nursing regulations and provisions of the State Education Law.
Under certain unusual circumstances, when it is necessary for the child to take internal medication during school hours, the School Nurse may cooperate with the family physician and the parents.
If a child must take medication during the school day, the following procedure is to be followed:
| Welcome | Parents | ||
| Program of Instruction | Discipline | ||
| Child Health and Well-Being | School Bus Safety Regulations | ||
| School Procedures and Programs | Prohibited Student conduct / Penalties |