Health Services
School nurses play an important role in helping maintain a healthy, safe school environment.
Each school building has a nurse's office and should be the first point of contact with questions or concerns around general health issues, immunization forms and other requests.
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- Bacterial Pneumonia Alert
- Health Screenings, Physicals and Exams
- Emergency Contact Cards
- Guidelines on Keeping Your Child Home from School
- Immunizations and Medications
- Forms
- Infectious Diseases
- Covid-19 Reopening Plan
- Covid-19 Guidelines
Bacterial Pneumonia Alert
November 1, 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are writing to inform you about an increased number of bacterial pneumonia cases reported in our district schools. While bacterial pneumonia is a treatable condition, early detection and proper care are crucial to minimize the spread and ensure the well-being of our students.
Please watch for symptoms in your child, including fever and persistent cough, as these can be early signs of the illness. If your child shows any of these symptoms, we urge you to contact your pediatrician for an evaluation and keep your child at home until they are cleared to return to school. Keeping your child home when they are ill is essential to help prevent the spread of infection to others.
We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all students and staff. Our facilities team is taking additional sanitization measures, and we will continue monitoring the situation closely. Should there be any further developments, we will update you immediately.
Thank you for your cooperation and attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our district health office at 845-357-7783.
Health Screenings, Physicals and Exams
Dental Exams, Routine and Sports Physicals
Dental Health
Dental Certificates are requested for grades: Pre Kindergarten or Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and new entrants.
Routine Physicals are required for grades: Pre Kindergarten or Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and new entrants. If proof of a private physical is not submitted to the health office by October 30th, your child will be scheduled for an exam with the School Medical Officer.
Please note that both the two-page private physical examination form AND the BMI report form must be completed by the child’s physician.
Sports Physicals–Athletics Medical InformationThe following procedure should be followed for all students who want to try out for a sport in high school or middle school.
- A parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the online registration packet. The link can be found on the athletic home page.
- Students must then have their blood pressure and pulse checked by the school nurse.
- A physical exam is done by the school medical officer. The physical is valid for one year. If you do not want the school medical officer to perform the exam, you may submit a copy of a recent physical from your child’s healthcare provider. Your child will still see the school medical officer with all of his/her paperwork, but will not be examined. It is a New York State Law that only a school-appointed medical officer certifies a child to participate in sports.
- Middle school athletes trying out for a high school sport must have their parent/guardian indicate it in the online sports packet. Additional requirements include a signed parental permission form, a recent tanner rating (done by either private MD or school health care provider) and an agility test.
If an athlete seeks medical attention during a sports season, a clearance note from their physician is required to return to sports.
An athlete who sustains a concussion or head injury must provide a medical clearance note from his or her health care provider and then follow the “Return to Play Protocol” which includes final clearance by the school medical officer before returning to sports.
Re-certification for an Additional Sports Season:
Prior to each sports season, an athlete with a valid sports physical (occurring within 1 year) will need to re-certify using the online sports program. Athletes may not re-certify more than 30 days before a sports season begins.
Vision and Hearing Screening
Near and Far Vision Screening is required for the following grades:
Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten, 1,3,5,7, 11 and new entrants which includes near and far vision. New Entrants also require color screening in addition to above. Hearing Screening is required for pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, 1,3,5,7, 11 and new entrants.
Scoliosis Screening
A scoliosis screening is required for the following: Girls in grades 5 and 7 only and boys in grade 9. A recent physical with a specific mention of scoliosis will allow us to skip your child’s assessment. You will be notified if there is a concern. Students are screened during their regularly-scheduled PE classes.
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Emergency Contact Cards
Emergency Contact Cards
During the school day, children may develop high fevers or injuries which require us to contact their parents/guardians. Emergency Contact Cards provide your child’s building with the information they need to reach you, or another trusted adult, if necessary.
Specifically, Emergency Contact Cards are used to:
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Provide information for contacting parents during school hours. Cell phone numbers and pagers are very helpful.
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Designate two (2) other adults who can provide transportation and care for your child in the event that we cannot locate either parent/guardian
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Authorize people to pick up your child at school at dismissal. Students will not be released to those not identified on the Emergency Contact Card.
To ensure your child’s safety, accurate and current information is needed. Please ensure that an up-to-date card is on file for your student, and be sure to sign the back of the card.
If you need a new emergency card, please reach out to your school building.
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Guidelines on Keeping Your Child Home from School
Guidelines on Keeping Your Child Home from School
Keeping your child at home when appropriate can support his/her return to health and learning—and help protect the school community from contagious illness.
Please keep your child home if s/he is experiencing:
- Fever of 100 or more. Return to school once fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
- Vomiting or diarrhea. Return to school once symptom-free for 24 hours.
- Excessive coughing. A constant cough is uncomfortable to the child and disruptive to other students. Your child may need to be evaluated by a medical provider.
- Strep Throat. Your child must be treated with antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to school.
- Eye symptoms, such as redness, discharge and/or itching. Your child should be evaluated by a medical provider to rule out conjunctivitis (aka “pink eye”), a highly contagious infection. If the infection is confirmed, your child must be treated for 24 hours before returning to school.
- Unusual rash or wound. Your child should be evaluated by a medical provider to rule out an infection.
- Any condition that may be serious or contagious.
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Immunizations and Medications
Immunizations and Medications
Immunizations
If your child has only one chicken pox (varicella) vaccine, he/she will need a second to enter SMS. They must have this before the start of the school year regardless of when their well visits come due. All children entering SMS in the fall must receive a Tdap booster. If your child has already turned eleven and has had their eleven year-old check-up, you probably already have the proof required to be given to the nurse at the middle school. If your child is eleven before the summer, please make sure to send this documentation as soon as it is done. However, if your child turns eleven after the school year ends, you will need to get this information to the middle school nurses directly. All children with summer birthdays need the vaccine prior to the first day of school. Children turning eleven in the fall have only two weeks from the day of their 11th birthday to turn this information in to the nurse or they can be excluded from attending school. Please plan accordingly. All charts are sent to the middle school during the last week of school in June.
In September 2016, a new vaccine law went into effect. All seniors are required to have had a meningoccal vaccine at age 16 or older for school attendance. Please contact your health care provider to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine before September. The Rockland County Health Department also offers the vaccine. They can be reached at 845-364-2520 to schedule an appointment.
New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance
The Rockland County Department of Health offers vaccines at no charge for those who qualify. Call (845) 364-2520 for more information or to make an appointment.
Medication
Every effort should be made to administer medications at home, as it does represent a disruption in the student’s day. However, if your physician feels that medication is necessary during the school day, please submit a completed form, which can be obtained from the health office before medication is sent to school. A new form must be filled out for each change of medication and renewed each school year. State law does permit administration of medication during the school day, but only with written orders from the physician and parent. This includes all types of medication– over the counter drugs such as Aspirin, Tylenol, cough syrup, motrin, vitamins—as well as prescription medication. The medication must be in the original container, or duplication professionally labeled by the pharmacist for this purpose. The parent/guardian must assume responsibility for having medication delivered directly to the school health office. No student should have medication in his/her possession while at school.
Inhalers and EpiPens
A student may carry and self-administer an inhaler and/or Epipen with the written authorization of their parent/guardian and physician on the appropriate form:
All medication authorizations must be renewed each school year. Please see the nurses’ forms page for updated authorization forms and information documentation.
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Forms
This section featured informational documents and forms pertaining to health and wellness.
Please be aware that some files are PDFs and may require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. If necessary, visit the Adobe website to download the free Acrobat Reader (https://get.adobe.com/reader/).
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Health Forms
Infectious Diseases
Between the start of flu season and reports of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), a rare but serious respiratory infection, health concerns are making local headlines.
The Suffern Central School District works closely with the county health department to promote wellness, monitor emerging health concerns and, when necessary, share information with staff and families about steps to prevent illness.
Consistent use of standard hygiene practices is the best way to keep our school community healthy. Please remember to:
- Regularly wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- Use your own utensils and glasses; don’t share with those who are sick
- Stay home from school or work when ill.
For more specific information on the flu and EV-D68, follow these links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:
Enterovirus D68/EV-D68
What Parents Need to Know about Enterovirus D68
Infographic: Keep Your Child from Getting and Spreading Enterovirus D68
Seasonal Flu (Influenza)
Covid-19 Reopening Plan
Covid-19 Guidelines
COVID Guidelines - 24-25 School Year
Rockland County Health Department recommends masking for 5 days after return to work from COVID.
NYSED recommends following NYSDOH recommendations:
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Stay home and away from others including household members who are not sick if you have a respiratory infection without a known cause.
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Symptoms can include: fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, headache, etc.
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Return to normal activities when for at least 24 hours
Symptoms are getting better AND You have no fever without taking fever reducing medications -
When you return to normal activities extra precautions should be taken for the next five days to help prevent the spread of the virus such as masks, physical distancing, good hygiene, and steps toward cleaner air (open windows, air purifiers, etc.)
CONTACTS
Building Nurses
Nicole Savarese
Registered Nurse
Cherry Lane Elementary, Suffern High School
School:
845-357-3988 ext. 21404
Mary Elizabeth Clabby-Andretta
Registered Nurse
Suffern Middle School
School:
845-357-7400 ext. 31409