Health Offices
School nurses and nurse-teachers are assigned to each building to implement the Health Services Program through teaching, counseling and administering first aid. They also conduct NY required screenings for height, weight, vision, hearing and scoliosis. Nurses are available to students and families for health information, advice and medical questions as well as to implement student medication schedules during the school day. Nurse’s offices are open whenever school is in session and students are always welcome.
Please note: physical exams are required for all NEW entrants as well as for all students entering grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. To be accepted for school entrance, physicals need to have been completed after September 1 of the previous school year. Physicals will be provided by the school physician after that date for students who do not have a physical report on file with the school nurse. Up to date records of immunization are also required. Read more about immunizations.
Important Topics and Resources
When to keep a child home with illness
WHEN TO KEEP A CHILD HOME WITH ILLNESS
It can be hard to know when to send children to school if they tell you that they do not feel well. Usually, the best place for them is in school, but there are some times when keeping them home to rest or call for an appointment with your health care provider is NECESSARY.
Please keep your child home and/or contact your child’s doctor for:
Fever greater than 100.4° OR 100° if your child is not able to focus in class
Vomiting and/or diarrhea within the last 24 hours
Severe sore throat along with fever and feeling ill for more than 48 hours, or after exposure to Strep throat infection
Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth or rash on other body parts
Large amounts of mucous (liquid) from their nose, with face pain or headache
Severe ear pain or fluid coming from the ear
Severe headache, especially with fever
We are reminding all M-W families to please have arrangements in place for your child in the event they need to be picked up due to an illness or injury and to make sure your child’s school Main Office is aware.
Influenza (flu) and RSV are both respiratory viruses that usually circulate during the winter and generally affect younger children. Symptoms include: Runny nose • Decrease in appetite • Coughing • Sneezing • Fever • Wheezing.
Norovirus (Stomach virus/stomach flu) symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, headache and chills.
Please keep children home when they have a fever OR are ill with any RSV/flu AND Norovirus-like symptoms. They should remain home the next school day after the fever ends and should not come to school if they continue to run a fever greater than 100.4° without the use of fever-reducing medication.
If your child has a fever, it is not a good idea to give them medicine (like Tylenol or Advil) and send them to school. As soon as the medicine wears off, the fever may return and you will be called to pick up your child.
If your child feels worse or does not get better in 1-2 days, call a healthcare provider (doctor) and do not send them to school.
Please call your building's school nurse with any concerns or questions. We appreciate your cooperation in helping maintain a healthy learning environment for all students.
Information regarding Coronavirus, RSV and Flu
Update from Orange County Department of Health on Measles
Screenings and immunizations
Vaccination exemption
Legislation removing non-medical exemptions from school vaccination requirements
Medication in School
Sports and Physical Education
Information for Parents
If your child is ill in school or at home — This link contains information on common illnesses as well as procedures if a child is ill at school.
SPECIAL NOTE
If parents’ daytime or emergency phone numbers change during the year, please notify the school main office so that contact information can be corrected.
Be sure that arrangements can be made to transport a student home from school and that childcare is available in case of illness.