Health

• Authorization of Medications in School
• Body Mass Index Information
• Child Abuse Hotline Information
• District Illness Protocol
• Hand Sanitizer Policy
• Health Screening Information
• Health & Wellness Committee
• Immunizations Information
• Forms
• Meal Accommodations
• Medical Statement for Special Dietary Needs

The North Colonie Central School District is committed to providing a school environment that enhances learning and development of lifelong wellness practices. To accomplish these goals:

• All school-based activities are consistent with local wellness policy goals.
• The school environment is safe, comfortable, pleasing, and allows ample time and space for eating meals.
• Patterns of meaningful physical activity connect to students’ lives outside of physical education.
• Child Nutrition Programs comply with federal, state, and local requirements. Child Nutrition Programs are accessible to all children.
• Sequential and interdisciplinary nutrition education is provided and promoted.
• All foods made available on campus adhere to food safety and security guidelines.
• All foods and beverages made available on campus (including vending, concessions, a la carte and student stores) during the school day will be consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Read the District Policy on School Community Health & Wellness.

Authorization of Medications in School

• Administration of Medications (Elementary)
• Authorization for Student to Carry Medication in School (Middle & High School)

District Illness Protocol 

North Colonie Central School District has issued guidance for parents/guardians related to illness protocols.

If students feel ill, they should stay home until they feel better.

Students with Symptoms at School

Students will be sent home from school if they exhibit any of the following symptoms OR if determined necessary upon assessment from the school nurse:

• Fever (100 degrees or higher) and/or chills
• Vomiting/Diarrhea (May return to school after 24 hours if no further episodes of vomiting/diarrhea)
• Continuous Cough

Students with a fever must be fever-free for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication. Prescription and/or OTC medication without a doctor’s order is not permitted on school grounds.

Notification of Communicable Illnesses:

In the Elementary Schools only, a note will be sent home with students in classrooms that have had a diagnosed communicable illness (ie. Strep Throat, Conjunctivitis, COVID-19).

For further assistance or guidance, please contact your school’s nurse, the Lead Nurse Christine Terhune, Christine.Terhune@nccsk12.org  or Nurse Supervisor Michael.Michela@nccsk12.org

Flu

Attached is a flyer from New York State Department of Health outlining flu symptoms, how to prevent the flu, what to do if your child gets the flu and how to avoid spreading the flu. Here is a print friendly version of the flyer.

Hand Sanitizer Policy

The North Colonie Central School District will be making alcohol-based hand sanitizers available in its school buildings during the school year. If parents wish to opt their child out of using it, they should send a written notice to their child’s individual school.

Health Screening Information

Each year, the school nurse conducts a school health appraisal consisting of the following: vision screening and hearing screening in required grade levels based on NYSED mandates. Scoliosis screening is done on all girls in 5th and 7th grades and for boys in 9th grade. Parents will be notified when any condition meriting concern is found. If parents wish to inquire about the findings they may contact their school nurse.

View the 2023 Required NYS School Health Examination Form.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Information

As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and their height is measured along with vision and hearing screening, as well as scoliosis for the certain students. The height and weight numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’. The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low. Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group (NOT individual student) be included as part of the student’s school health examination in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. Each year, a sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health. If our school is selected to be part of the survey, we will be reporting health information about our students’ weight status groups to the New York State Department of Health. Only summary information is sent. No names and no information about individual students are sent. However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report. The information sent to the New York State Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier.

You may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report. If you do not wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the Health Department’s survey this year, you must submit this request in writing to the health office. You can also contact the health office to request an opt out form. This form must be signed and returned to the health office of your child’s school.

Required Physicals

All required physicals are due at the start of each year. If you have not sent your child’s in yet, please do so ASAP. Letters have been sent and will be sent again to all who still do not have them on file. If your child’s physical has been done, please be sure to submit that paperwork to your school nurse at this time. If physicals are not in once our school physician is scheduled, your child will be scheduled for a physical with our school physician.

Vision Screening

School Nurses are mandated annually to perform screenings based on NYSED guidelines. Such screenings include but are not limited to the following:

• Distance acuity
• Near vision
• Color perception (color vision)
• Hearing
• Scoliosis

All screenings will be conducted annually by each school nurse according to guidelines for said year/grade levels. Parents will only be notified of abnormal findings either through school backpack mail, phone call or postal mail. If you are concerned or wish to inquire about your child’s results, please contact your school nurse.

Immunizations Information

The following is a brief overview of the immunizations required prior to school entrance. These requirements and the accompanying guidelines are extracted from the NYSED Regulations & Public Health  Law 2164.  

All children attending schools in New York State must be properly immunized as follows: 

• 3-5 doses of Diphtheria Toxoid vaccine – 4 doses (if the 4^th dose of DTaP was administered at age 4 years or older, then the fifth (booster) is not necessary. 3 doses if the series is started at 7 years of age or older. 
• 3-4 doses of Polio vaccine (OPV and/or IPV) – if 3 doses were administered before age 4 years, an additional dose should be received at age 4-6 years. For children 7 years or older who have previously received less than 3 doses, a total of 3 doses are required.  
• 2 doses of MMR given ***no more than 4 days prior to the first birthday 
• 2 doses of Varicella given no more than 4 days prior to the first birthday  
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine (4 weeks between dose 1 & 2, 8 weeks between dose 2 & 3, and 16  weeks from dose one) 
  * The 2 dose adult Recombivax Hepatitis B series for students 11-15 years of age meets the requirements for Hepatitis B.
• 1 dose of Tetanus toxoid containing vaccine and Pertussis vaccine ( required for students  enrolling in grades 6-7 must be 10 years or older when receiving and students in grades 8- 12 who have not previously received a Tdap at 10 years of age or older are acceptable). 
• 1 dose of Meningococcal vaccine for students in grades 7-11 
• 1 dose of Meningococcal (booster) vaccine for students entering 12^th grade age 16 or older given no more than 4 days before their sixteenth birthday prior to beginning classes, an immunization record documented (or certification of having the disease) by a physician or other authorized person who administered the vaccine must be presented. Your child may be excluded from school if this documentation is not provided. The record must specify the immunizations and the exact dates of their  administration. Students may be exempt from these requirements if their physician states such immunizations would be  detrimental to their health.

See specifics for unvaccinated children.

Other Health Information

You are strongly urged to see that your child has a complete physical by your family physician and dental examination by your family dentist before entrance into school.

Please utilize the forms we have provided.

Additionally, when entering school for the first time and again in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, all students will require a  physical examination. Although the form must be returned by the end of September, an examination administered  not more than twelve months prior to commencement of the school year in which the examination is required, will  be accepted. All students requiring a physical will also be requested to present a dental health certificate within the  first 30 days of school; such dental health certificate must be signed by a duly licensed dentist who is authorized by  law to practice in this state.

You are encouraged to see your family pediatrician. If this is not possible, an appraisal may be completed by our school physician. Parents will be notified ONLY when any condition meriting concern is found. If you wish to inquire about the findings or have any additional questions, please contact your school nurse. 

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