Immunizations and Physicals

New York State’s Compulsory Pre-school Immunization Law requires school age children to be immunized against six preventable diseases, and to have a physical examination prior to being admitted to school. Immunizations include: 3 diphtheria, 3 whooping cough, 3 tetanus, 3 polio, 2 measles, 1 rubella, and 1 mumps. After September, 1998, all Kindergarten students will also be required to have 3 Hepatitis B shots.

School Health Service Program

The School Nurse will conduct vision screenings, hearing screenings, measurements of height and weight, and dental screenings.

New York State Education Law requires that all children between the ages of 8 and 16 receive a school screening examination to find children with possible curvature of the spine (scoliosis). Screening will take place during physical education class. Remember these are only screenings. A letter will be sent to parents if further evaluation is recommended.

Illness and Injury

If your child becomes ill or injured at school, the nurse will attempt to call you. It is very important to keep at least two emergency numbers on file in the office. Please notify the school at once if your telephone number changes-either at home or at work. School personnel do not transport sick children home.

Head Lice

When a child is found to have head lice or nits, their parent will be called to come to pick them up. They are to be treated with a lice killing agent, and all nits must be removed before returning to school. Before returning to the classroom, the child must be accompanied by his/her parent to the nurse’s office. The nurse will then check the child’s hair to be sure they are nit free. If any nits or lice are found, the child is to return home with their parent. A child will not be allowed to return to class until they are “nit free”.

Dental Fluoride

Students are provided the opportunity to participate in the Fluoride Mouth Rinsing program free of charge provided parental/guardian approval has been given.

Medication

Fallsburg Central School District policy states: “School personnel are not to administer medical treatment or medication, including over-the-counter drugs”. If your child is on a short term medication, such as an antibiotic, please schedule the dosage so that he receives a morning dose and the remaining doses when he returns from school in the afternoon. Please cooperate with us by following the above guidelines. The health and safety of your children are our prime concern.

Pupils on long term medication who must have medication administered during the school hours may take medication only if a physician has stated in writing that the pupil should have a certain medication during school hours. Form #40.3740, which is available from the nurse, must be signed and on file before any long term medication may be given.

Most medication schedules can be arranged so that medicine can be given at home. Children requiring medication during school hours will abide by the following guidelines:

• Only prescription medication will be administered at school. Over the counter or sample medication must be accompanied by orders from a physician.
• Medication should be delivered to school by the parent or other responsible adult, in the container in which it was purchased (dispensed).
  A separate supply of medication must be kept at school. Medication will not be transported between home and school on a daily or weekly basis.
• The label must indicate the student’s name, name of medication, physician’s name, dosage (amount), time (frequency).
• If the medication requires equipment for administration - cup, spoon, etc., the parent is responsible for supplying the articles, labeled with student’s name.
• New parental authorization forms will be requested periodically. When medication is discontinued or at the end of the school year, medication not taken home by the parent will be destroyed.