Nurse: Ms. Nicole Bracco
Phone: 631-474-2837
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to the new school year! As the first day of school quickly approaches, now is the time to familiarize yourself with our School Health Services.
Emergency Information
Please make sure that you complete and submit two important forms for each of your children:
- The Emergency Contact Card
We must stress the importance of maintaining current emergency and health information throughout the school year. In the event of an emergency or a child’s sudden illness this information may become vital to your child’s care. If for any reason parents/guardians cannot be reached, it is essential to be able to contact your designated relative or friend.
Accidents in School
Most minor accidents (paper cut, skinned knee, etc.) will be treated in the Health Office. If an injury or illness occurs in school that warrants further treatment the parent/guardian will be contacted. Serious emergencies will of course, be handled as such through our local emergency medical service.
School Physicals/BMI/Dental Exams
The New York State Education Law requires an annual physical examination including BMI and dental exam for students upon entrance to school and for grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. If your child is new to the district or is entering one of these grades, she/he must have an examination by your family doctor or the school physician. Physical forms (available for download on the Important Forms and Links page) must be completed and returned to the Health Office by October 1. After this date, the school physician will examine those students still needing a physical.
Special Health Needs
Children with special health needs should be brought to the attention of the school nurse. This information is kept confidential and it can be very important to a successful experience in school. Examples of such needs are as follows:
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Allergies, especially those that could be life threatening such as a bee sting allergy or severe food allergy
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Conditions that may affect your child’s health/safety such as diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, heart conditions, etc.
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Difficulty with vision, hearing, or speech
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Need for medication during the school day (see below)
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Fractures, sprains, or sutures requiring gym/recess restriction. Note: A doctor’s note is required to exclude from and return to these activities.
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Head Lice- a common condition easily treated with a special shampoo. Please check your child’s head periodically at home and notify the school nurse if head lice or nits (eggs) are found.
Medication in School
Students are not allowed to carry medication of any kind to school, nor are they allowed to take medication at school without a written note from a physician and a parent/guardian, nor are they allowed to take medication without supervision.
Every effort should be made to administer medication at home, as it represents a disruption in the student’s school day. If your physician feels that medication is necessary during the school day, please submit a completed medication form, which is available in the Health Office before medication is brought to school.
Please Note: This includes all types of medication; prescription medications as well as over the counter drugs (Tylenol, vitamins, cough drops, etc.) A form must be filled out for each medication and renewed for each school year. The medication must be brought to the nurse by the parent or guardian in the original pharmacist labeled or commercial container.
Screening Procedures
As required by state law, students will be screened for vision in grades K, 1, 3 and 5, and for hearing in grades K, 1, 3 and 5. New entrants will also be screened for color perception, vision acuity and near vision.
Attendance
State law requires a written explanation from the parent/guardian for all school absences (see attendance letter). It is important for you to notify the Attendance Office at 631-642-4327 on the first day of your child’s absence.
Please Note: For the protection of your child and others, please keep your child home for 24 hours after a fever has returned to normal without the use of a fever reducer such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, for 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea as well as a full 24 hours after being started on an antibiotic for strep or any other infection.
Thank you for your cooperation. Together we can promote a safe and healthy environment for our students. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the health of your child at school, please do not hesitate to call me at 631-474-2837.
Sincerely,
Nicole Bracco