Medication, Mandated Screenings

Medication, Mandated Screenings

Medications

We support a safe medication delivery system for any child in need of medicines during the school day. Accordingly, all prescription and frequently used non-prescription medicines require physician and parent written permission and delivery of the medication by the parent in the original container to the school nurse who will store and oversee the administration of a medicine to a child. A photograph of the child is affixed to all prescription medicine bottles for added precautions. We also encourage that whenever possible parents discuss with their health care provider alternatives to having medicines administered during the school day when doing so may interfere with instructional time. 

We requests that all parents work with their children of all ages to ensure they are educated to know the name and appearance of their medicine, the amount they are to get at what times, and the reason they are taking the medicine. We also asks parents to make sure their children realize that if they are asked to take a medicine that is not familiar to them or at a dose that is incorrect, that it is important to tell the adult “NO”, to explain to the adult there appears to be a mistake, and to say they need to call their parent to clarify their concern before they accept an unfamiliar medicine from anyone.

Responsible children, with prior approval by their physcian and school nurse, may carry and self-administer life-saving medicines upon parental request and with private provider approval that the child is responsible to do so. All self-carried, life-saving medicines must have a duplicate supply stored in the health office in the event the child’s supply is misplaced, lost, or not readily available in an emergency.

In the event of a field trip and the need to administer medication, the district encourages you or your designate to attend the trip with your child so you may safely administer the medication to your child. Please contact the school nurse if you have questions. 

Mandated Screenings 

The New York State Education Department requires certain screening exams to be done on certain ages or grades of children. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) also requires that your private health care provider reports and that the school district collects information on your child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and Weight Status Category (WSC). Any information requested by the DOH regarding BMI or WSC will not contain identification of your child. However if you do not wish to have your child’s unidentified assessment included on the survey, please advise the school nurse.

 

The following screening evaluations are conducted by the school nurse who will advise you of any concerns:

1. Distance visual acuity for all new entrants and for children in grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3 5, 7, and 10, or at any other time deemed essential.
2. Near visual acuity for all new entrants within six months of entrance.
3. Color perception for all new entrants within six months of entrance.
4. Hearing acuity for all new entrants and for those in grades kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and at any other time deemed essential.
Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) for students in grades 5-9 annually. 

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