STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
The Board of Education recognizes that good student health is vital to successful learning, and realizes its responsibility, along with that of the parents, to protect and foster a safe and healthful environment for the students.
The school shall work closely with the student’s family to provide detection and preventive health services. In accordance with law, the school will provide vision, hearing and scoliosis screening. Problems shall be referred to the parents who shall be encouraged to have their family physician provide appropriate care.
Schools shall also provide emergency care for students in accidental or unexpected medial situations
A permanent student health record shall be part of a student’s cumulative school record and shall follow the student from school to school. The record shall be maintained by the school nurse.
Health Examination
Each student enrolled in District schools must have a satisfactory health examination conducted by the student’s physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner within twelve (12) months prior to the beginning of the school year of:
a) The student’s entrance in a District school at any grade level;
b) Entrance to pre-kindergarten or kindergarten;
c) Entry into the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades.
The District may also require an examination and health history of a student when it is determined by the District that it would promote the educational interests of the student.
In addition, the District requires a certificate of physical fitness for:
a) All athletes prior to their first sport of the school year. When possible, this may be done during the scheduled summer day(s) set aside by the school nursing staff.
b) Any student injured or ill during their first sport before participating in a second sport during the school year;
b) All students who need work permits; and
c) All students either suspected of or sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) must receive a written and signed authorization from a licensed physician before returning to athletic activities in school.
Health Certificate
Each student must submit a health certificate attesting to the health examination within thirty (30) days after his/her entrance into school and within thirty (30) days after his/her entry into pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades. The health certificate shall be filed in the student’s cumulative record.
The health certificate must state whether the student is in a fit condition of health to permit his/her attendance at public school and, where applicable, whether the student has defective sight or hearing, or any other physical disability which may tend to prevent the student from receiving the full benefit of school work or from receiving the best educational results, or which may require a modification of such work to prevent injury to the student
The health certificate must be signed by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who is authorized by law to practice in New York State consistent with any applicable written practice agreement; or authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the examination was given, provided that the Commissioner of Health has determined that such jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to those of New York. A certificate signed by a chiropractor is not acceptable except for a scoliosis evaluation.
Dental Certificate
A notice of request for a dental health certificate shall be distributed at the same time that the parent/person in parental relation is notified of health examination requirements, and such certificate to be furnished at the same time the health certificate is required. At this time, students will be permitted to attend school regardless of whether or not they have a dental certificate.
The dental certificate shall be signed by a duly licensed dentist, or a registered dental hygienist, authorized by law to practice in New York State or one who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the assessment was performed, provided that the Commissioner has determined that the jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to New York State. The certificate shall describe the dental health condition of the student upon assessment, which shall not be more than twelve (12) months prior to the beginning of the school year in which the assessment is requested, and shall state whether the student is in fit condition of dental health to permit his/her attendance at the public schools.
Examination by Health Appraisal
The Principal or designee will send a notice to the parents of, or person in parental relation to, any student who does not present a health certificate, that if the required health certificate is not furnished within thirty (30) days from the date of such notice, an examination by health appraisal will be made of such student by the school physician or designee.
The school physician or designee shall cause such students to be separately and carefully examined and tested to ascertain whether the student has defective sight or hearing, or any other physical disability which may tend to prevent the student from receiving the full benefit of school work or from receiving the best educational results, or which may require a modification of such work to prevent injury to the student.
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if it is ascertained that any students have defective sight or hearing, or a physical disability or other condition, including sickle cell anemia which may require professional attention with regard to health, the Principal or Principal’s designee shall notify, in writing, the student’s parents or persons in parental relation as to the existence of such disability. If the parents or persons in parental relation are unable or unwilling to provide the necessary relief and treatment for such students, such fact shall be reported by the Principal or Principal’s designee to the school physician or designee, who then has the duty to provide relief for such students.
Health Screenings
The District will provide:
a) Scoliosis screening at least once each school year for all students in grades 5 through 9. The positive results of any such screening examinations for the presence of scoliosis shall be provided in writing to the student’s parent or person in parental relation within ninety (90) days after such finding;
b) Vision screening to all students who enroll in school including at a minimum color perception, distance acuity, and near vision within six (6) months of admission to the school. In addition, all students shall be screened for distance acuity in specific grades as outlined by law, and at any other time deemed necessary. The results of all such vision screening examinations shall be provided in writing to the student’s parent or person in parental relation and to any teacher of the student. The vision report will be kept in a permanent file of the school for at least as long as the minimum retention period for such records;
c) Hearing screening to all students within six (6) months of admission to the school and in specific grades as outlined by law, as well as at any other time deemed necessary. Screening shall include, but not be limited to, pure tone and threshold air conduction screening. The results of any such hearing tests shall be provided in writing upon request or when an issue is discovered to the student’s parent or person in parental relation and to any teacher of the student.
The results of all health screenings shall be recorded on appropriate forms signed by the health professional making the examination, include appropriate recommendations, and be kept on file in the school. The health records of individual students will be kept confidential in accordance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and any other applicable federal and state laws.
Accommodation for Religious Beliefs
No health examinations, health history, examinations for health appraisal, screening examinations for sickle cell anemia and/or other health screenings shall be required where a student or the parent or person in parental relation to such student objects thereto on the grounds that such examinations, health history and/or screenings conflict with their genuine and sincere religious beliefs. A written and signed statement from the student or the student’s parent or person in parental relation that such person holds such beliefs shall be submitted to the Principal or Principal’s designee, in which case the Principal or Principal’s designee may require supporting documents.
Homeless Students
For homeless children, the enrolling school must immediately refer the parent or guardian of the student to the District’s homeless liaison, who must assist them in obtaining the necessary medical records.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
20 USC Section 1232(g)
Education Law Sections 901-905, 912 and 3217
8 NYCRR Parts 135 and 136
NOTE: Refer also to Policies #5690 — Exposure Control Program
#5691 — Communicable Diseases
#7131 — Education of Homeless Children and Youth
#7510 — School Health Services
#7511 — Immunization of Students
#7522 — Concussion Management
Adopted December 12, 2023