Upper Nyack School

 Guidelines for Student's Health Related Issues At School

  Illness:

• If your child becomes ill in school, he/she should report to the School Nurse’s Office for assessment. If your child needs to go home, the School Nurse will contact you.
• All absences require a written note from the parent/guardian when the child returns to school.  If your child is out for 3 or more days, a doctor’s note of explanation is required when he/she returns to school.
• If your child is going to be absent from school due to illness, please notify the School Nurse’s Office or Attendance (353-7270, 353-7260 UNES phone lines.) There is a message center at these numbers, available for receiving messages 24 hours a day/7 days a week.  It is the parent responsibility to notify the school if a child is to be absent from school.
• Children must be fever-free for a full 24 hours before returning to school after an illness.
• Keep your child home if he/she exhibits gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea/vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours prior to returning to school.

 Physicals & immunizations requirements:  It is recommended that all students submit a physical to the Nurse’s Office with an updated copy of their immunization record.

 Physicals & Dental Exams:  NY State Law mandates that all NEW students;   and students in Kindergarten, grades  1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 submit a current physical and proof of dental exam to the Nurse’s Office.   Mandatory screenings are also done for these grades, if the MD has not documented height, weight, vision, hearing & scoliosis.  Physicals and dental exams are good for one year from the date of exam.  For:    Annual health form.pdf and   Dental Form 11-19.pdf (download here).

 **Students that fail to submit a mandated physical may be required to have an in-school physical by the school doctor at the District’s discretion so that we may remain in compliance with NY State.

 Immunizations:  When your child receives immunizations, please remember to send an updated legal MD or clinic record to the Nurse’s Office.  All students are required to have their immunization records on file in the Nurse’s Office prior to September 1^st. 

 New York State Immunization Requirements for school entrance/attendance are as follows:

• Diphtheria Toxoid Containing Vaccine:  5 or 4 doses if the 4^th dose was received at 4 years old or older: a Tdap Booster is due before entry to Middle School.
• Polio (IPV or OPV):   4-3 doses if the 3^rd dose was received at 4 years old.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR):  2 doses
• Hepatitis B:  3 doses
• Varicella (Chicken Pox):   2 doses

 If your child is missing any required immunizations, they are available free of charge at the RCDOH Immunization Clinic in Pomona.  Please call (845) 364-2520 for an appointment.

 Allergies/Asthma:

If you child has any allergies or asthma, please make sure it is documented on their health examination form.  If the allergic reaction is severe and may require rapid medical intervention (i.e.  allergy to peanuts or bee-sting) with an Epi-pen and/or Benadryl, please make sure your physician completes the  Allergy Action Plan.pdf  (download here).   If your child uses an inhaler or a nebulizer, please ensure your physician completes the  Asthma Action Plan.pdf (download here).    All necessary medications should be supplied to the Nurse’s Office on or before the first day of school.   Elementary School students are not permitted to self-carry any type (including over-the-counter) of medications in school.

 Glasses/Contacts:

If your child has had an eye exam and wears glasses/contacts, please have your eye-care specialist fill out the  Eye glasses-contacts.pdf  (download here) to keep your child’s medical records current.

 Injuries:

If your child is unable to participate in physical education or sports for any reason, a Doctor’s note is required.  The length of restriction should be noted and if no return to activity date is provided, a second doctor’s note will be required to allow your child to resume to physical activities.  A good rule of thumb is if the injury requires a doctor’s visit, a note is required for the Nurse’s Office.  All notes should be turned into the Nurse, who will give copies to the physical education teachers.  A doctor’s note is also needed if a student will require the use of the elevator.  The elevator pass will be issued by the Nurse’s Office. The injured student should report to the Nurse’s Office upon returning to school, at which time emergency evacuation instructions will be shared with the student and staff will be coordinated to assist the student as needed.

 MEDICATION:  STUDENTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM CARRYING ANY MEDICATION IN SCHOOL

With the exception of MD ordered asthma inhalers & EpiPens

•  A completed medication form is required to allow students to use and/or carry Asthma inhalers and/or EpiPen medication.   There is a space on the Health Examination form where the doctor can note the asthmatic condition and which medicines your child uses.  There is an Allergy Action Plan and Asthma Action Plan available from this site for your MD to complete as it pertains to your child.  Allergy Action Plan 6-17 1(1).pdf  Asthma Action Plan 6-17 1(1).pdf  (download here).

•  Over-the-counter medication:  New York State law requires a medication form be completed by the physician and signed by the parent, to be kept on file in the School Nurse’s office.   PLEASE DO NOT ASK US TO ADMINISTER ANY FORM OF MEDICATION WITHOUT YOUR DOCTOR’S SIGNATURE.  This includes Tylenol or Advil for minor discomfort and headaches.  Try to anticipate your child’s needs ahead of time and have everything in place for the time that he/she may need it.  You should also be aware that the School District does not supply medications.  You will need to supply the medication in the original container.  They will be kept in the School Nurse’s office and labeled with your child’s name.  For the Medication Order Form.pdf  (download here).

• Daily Medications/Antibiotics/Short-Term Medications/Emergency EpiPens:  To dispense any medication to a student, a medication form must be complete by the physician, signed by the parent and kept on file in the student’s medical record in the School Nurse’s office.  The medication must be supplied to the school nurse in its original, labeled pharmacy container.  As with all medication orders, this order must be renewed annually.  A prescription from the MD may be provided to the Nurse’s office for unlisted or short term medications (i.e.:  antibiotics, eye drops, ADHD medications…)

 PLEASE NOTE:  A parent/guardian must pick-up all medications and inhalers on or before the last day of school.  IF the medications and inhalers are not picked up, they will be discarded.

 If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s health, please call the Nurse’s office at 353-7270.    Thank you.

 Laura Weigel, RN - UNES School Nurse

 If you would like information translated contact….

Si ou bezwen enfòmasyon tradui an kreyòl, rele Jocelyn Abraham nan 353-7044.

Si le hace falta información traducida en español, llame a Yesenia Polanco 353-7042

Head Lice Information

Please be reminded that head lice can happen to anyone, anywhere. While lice remain alive on the infected person's clothing or hair and until they have been destroyed, it is communicable. As a reminder, several treatments are often necessary to cleanse the hair. Unless nits are removed, they can re-infest the child.

Washing all personal clothing with hot soapy water and a disinfectant should destroy any lice. Remember to check the seams of clothing. The use of a dryer (high heat for at least 20 minutes) will also facilitate destruction of adult lice and nits. If clothing is not washable, it should be dry-cleaned.

While observing your child, please be aware that lice are small brown bugs. Nits or eggs are white, filmy and stick to the hair. There is no reason to panic; however, there is a need to be aware of the possibility of pediculosis. Your help and concern is most important.

If you have any questions please feel free to call our nurse, Laura Weigel, at 353-7270. She will be happy to try to answer any inquiries.