When do I keep my child home from school?

Please do not send your child to school with signs or symptoms of illness, including:

• A fever of 100.4 degrees or higher. Students may return to school after being fever-free (with no fever-reducing medications) for 24 hours.
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Any rash, until diagnosed by a medical provider
• Head lice, scabies, pinworms or ringworm, until treatment has begun
• Strep throat, until 24 hours after starting antibiotics
• Chicken pox, until scabs heal over (about 1 week)

Attendance

Please call the attendance clerk if your child is to be absent from school. Upon return to school, please send in a written note explaining the reason for the absence.

PE Excuses

If your child will miss two or more consecutive Physical Education classes due to illness or injury, a note is required from your child’s primary care provider. An excuse from Physical Education class also restricts other activities, such as recess on the playground.

Health Screenings

As required by New York State law, your child will receive hearing and vision screenings in the early part of the school year. If there are any concerns regarding the results of those screenings, you will be notified by your child’s school nurse.

Immunizations

Public Health Law, Section 2164, requires all students to be immunized according to New York State guidelines. Students entering kindergarten must be immunized against:

• Diptheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT) 5 doses
• Polio 4 doses
• Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) 2 doses
• Hepatitis B 3 doses
• Chicken Pox (Varicella) 2 doses

Please check with your child’s pediatrician to ensure that immunizations are current and up-to-date. A record of immunizations must be presented to the health office before your child is permitted to attend school.

Medications

An order from your child’s primary care provider is required for any medication to be given at school, even for over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or cough drops. A new order is required each time the medication order changes, and for every new school year.

All medications must be provided in the original store packaging or pharmacy-filled container.

All medication must be brought to school by an adult. Please do not send medication to school with your child. No student is permitted to transport medication of any kind to or from school.

Physicals

All students entering kindergarten must present a current physical exam, signed by the primary care provider. If this is not possible, a physical exam may be performed by the district Medical Director at the parent’s request.