Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Education Services
6 Wierk Avenue      Liberty, NY 12754-2116
Tel 845-295-4100      Fax 845-292-7910

	                                                       July 2018
Dear Parent/Guardian: 

The School Health Program is based on the premise that a healthy child learns better. In order to promote good health, children should receive routine physical examinations.  Preferably, this should be done by your child’s physician.  Physical examinations are required for:  all New Students, all students entering Kindergarten, and all students entering Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The attached form is for this purpose and needs to be returned to the Health Office by October 1st. The School Nurses will attempt to schedule a physical exam with the school physician if a physical is needed and not provided. Any student who wishes to participate in Interscholastic Sports will require a Sports Physical.  
Whenever the physical examination is required (as listed above), schools must also request, of each student, a dental certificate be completed by their Dentist. There is a sample certificate attached for you to take to your child’s Dentist. Once completed, it should be returned to the School Nurse. This will be filed in your child’s Cumulative Health Record. If your child does not have a dentist you should contact us for guidance.
As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to calculate the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’.  The BMI helps the doctor determine if the student’s weight is in a healthy range, too high, or too low.  School districts will take part in surveys conducted by the NYS Department of Health.  No names or other information about individual students is sent.  Parents must provide written notification to the school before October 1st of each school year if they do not wish to have their child included in this survey. The information will help the NYS Department of Health officials develop programs that promote healthier lifestyles for children. 
Careful hand-washing with soap and water is the most effective way to control the spread of disease. Because it is recommended that hand sanitizers be used, where traditional soap and water is not readily accessible, the SC BOCES Medical Director has approved the use of alcohol- based hand sanitizers in our facilities.  Hand sanitizers will only be made available for use under adult supervision. Parents must provide written notification to the school if they do not wish to have their child use this product.
NYSED now requires that Public Schools provide Feminine Hygiene products to students at no cost. If your daughter should require any products during the school day she can obtain these from the Health Office or her Classroom Teacher.

***NEW AND IMPORTANT IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR:

Meningococcal Vaccine -
All students entering 7th, 8th AND 9th Grade must receive an immunization containing Meningococcal conjugate (ie. Menactra).  
All students entering 12th Grade must have received 2 immunization containing Meningococcal conjugate               (ie. Menactra) OR 1 immunization if the first dose was given at 16 years of age or older.  

Varicella(Chickenpox)-
All students entering Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th AND 10th GRADES must have documentation of receiving 2 Varicella Vaccines OR written proof of the Chicken Pox disease from a doctor.

Tdap Vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria & acellular pertussis) –
All students entering 6th through 12th grade must receive an immunization containing tetanus toxoid, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap).  

-If your child has received any Immunizations-Please ask your doctor to send or Fax the health office a copy of their immunization records. 

****The NYS Education Department has notified all Public Schools that permission is now granted to allow a student to carry and use sunscreen in school if:
(1)	The sunscreen is used for the purpose of avoiding overexposure to the sun and not for medical treatment of an injury or illness;
(2)	The sunscreen is approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use;
(3)	The student’s parent or guardian provides written permission for the student to carry and use sunscreen.  (A student who is unable to physically apply sunscreen may be assisted by unlicensed personnel when directed to do so by the student, if permitted by a parent or guardian, and authorized by the school.)
Parents/guardians are responsible for providing the FDA approved sunscreen they would like their child to use at school. A written permission slip is included in this packet if you would like to sign and return it with the Sunscreen.

***With the exception of Sunscreen-Students may NOT carry any prescription or over-the-counter medications until completed forms are received by the health office. ***
Nurses may administer prescribed or over-the-counter medications to students when: 

1) The Nurse receives a written order from a Physician, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician’s Assistant. This must include the name of the student as well as:
a) Name of medication,
b) Dosage and Route, 
c) Time to be given in school, 
d) Diagnosis/ICD# 10 Code
e) Physician, (Nurse Practitioner, or Physician’s Assistant) signature including NPI or License #.

2) The medicine to be brought to school in a properly labeled pharmacy container.

3) The medicine must be delivered to the Nurse by an ADULT.  The child is not to bring the medicine to school under any circumstances.

4)	The parent or guardian signs a written request for the administration of medicine during school hours. (See attached form).

5)	Under certain circumstances a student may carry medication with him/her at school (i.e. inhaler, epi-pen).  If you feel it is necessary for your child to do this, please contact the school nurse, who will send home another form to be signed by the student’s parent/guardian and prescribing physician.  

Please be aware that all medication orders 
must be completed for EACH new school year.
(Orders may carry over to summer school when applicable.)

We hope that both you and your child will find this school year a positive experience.  Please contact the health office at any time with questions, concerns or information that would be helpful in meeting your child's educational and medical needs. 
	
	Sincerely yours, 

						Mary Lederman, RN
	White Sulphur Springs School Nurse, 292-5618 FAX: 292-1224
	
	Kelly Levi, RN							Main Campus School Nurse, 295-4114 FAX: 292-0631
						
	Edna Simpson, RN
	Main Campus School Nurse, 295-4115 FAX: 292-0631