The goal of school health services is to maintain optimum health for all children, enabling them to realize their full potential. Niskayuna health services personnel include eight school nurses and two school physicians.
Information about physicals
State law requires a physical examination by a New York State-licensed physician for new entrants and students entering grades prekindergarten or kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.
The health examination may not be more than 12 months prior to the start of the school year in which the exam is required. The examination must be completed by a New York State licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner and on the Required NYS School Health Examination Form. A dental certificate which states your child has been seen by a dentist or dental hygienist is also requested at the same time.
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- A copy of the health examination must be provided to the school within 30 days from when your child first starts at the school. If a copy is not given to the school within 30 days, the school will contact you.
- If your child has an appointment for an exam during this school year that is after the first 30 days of school, please notify the Health Office with the date.
- Communication between private and school health staff is important for safe and effective care at school. Your healthcare provider may not share health information with school health staff without your signed permission. Please talk to your provider about signing their consent form for the school at the time of your child’s appointment for the examination.
We suggest you make copies of the completed forms for your own records before sending them to the school health office.
BMI Survey
Because New York State is interested in data about children’s health, schools are required to keep height and weight data and to calculate students Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a way of checking if a child is underweight or overweight.
Some schools will be surveyed by the New York State Department of Health each year and asked to share the number of their students in each of six possible BMI categories based on age and sex. If Niskayuna is surveyed by the state, we will only share group data (for instance, the number of second grade boys whose BMI is below the fifth percentile), not individual data. However, parents who wish their child’s data to be excluded from such group calculations may do so by contacting their school nurse.
Information and forms to participate in sports
All students grades 7-12 who desire to participate in interscholastic athletics must be cleared through the school Nurse’s Office. No student will be allowed to try out, practice or participate with any team without the required physical examination and completed registration on Family ID. Learn more about physical examinations.
Required Immunizations
Children attending PreK-12 in New York State must receive all required doses of vaccines on the recommended schedule in order to attend or remain in school. New York State Required Immunizations for School Entrance
Within 14 days of the first day of school parents must:
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- Show proof of their child’s up to date vaccinations, OR
- Provide a valid medical exemption from vaccination.
In order to attend or remain in school, children who are unvaccinated or overdue must receive at least the first dose of all required vaccinations within the first 14 days. They also must receive subsequent vaccines in the series within a 14 day period of when they are due to complete the immunization series.
Medication in School
In order for a school nurse to administer medication during school hours, either prescription or over the counter, the following are required by the State of New York:
1. An order from a licensed prescriber including name of medication, dosage and time to be administered;
2. Parent/Guardian permission to administer the medication;
3. The parent/guardian must assume the responsibility to have the medication delivered directly to the school nurse in a properly labeled original container.
Students who have been diagnosed with severe allergies or asthma may need to carry emergency medications on their person. This is permissible and highly advised. The physician will need to complete a release to self-medicate form. The school nurse will keep this on file.
Emergency Allergy Action Plan Form
Plan de Acción de Emergencia Para Alergias
Keeping Children Home from School Due to Illness
Students are expected to attend school every day. However, illness often prevents students from attending school at various times throughout the year. It can be difficult for parents to know whether or not to send their children to school. These district guidelines may help parents make this decision. Read guidelines
COVID-19 Protocols
Updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health have issued a recommendation for school districts to update their protocols for when students should stay home or return to school following a positive COVID-19 test. The protocol is the same requirement for the flu or other respiratory viruses.
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- Students should stay home if they have any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, fatigue, persistent cough, runny nose, headache.
- Students may return to school when symptoms have improved and they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
- It is recommended that students take precautions over the next 5 days, including masking (not required) and good hygiene like handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.
Keep in mind that people may still be able to spread the virus even if they are feeling better, so it is important to take extra precautions. Please contact your child’s school nurse or physician if you have further questions.
First Aid
Basic first aid is rendered to all who may require it. If the injury is extensive, a paramedic call may be made to transport the student for medical attention. Accident/incident reports are made on all serious injuries.
Insurance
School district accident insurance covers students for accidents that occur during school activities. It is non-duplicating coverage, meaning the family must first file with its own health and accident insurance plan. Forms for medical expenses that are not thus covered may be obtained from the school nurse at the child’s school.
Working Papers
Students may obtain their 14-15 year old or 16-17 year old working papers in the Nurse’s Office. A parent completed application is required and students must have a valid physical dated within one year of the application. This must be done before the end of the school year. Please see your school nurse to get an Application for Employment Certificate or you can access the state’s Application for Employment Certificate here. Working papers may be obtained in the main office during July and August.