Health Office Home

Dear Parent or Guardian,

As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student's body mass index or BMI. The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student's weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low. Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student's school health examination. A sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health. If our school is selected to be part of the survey, we will be reporting to New York State Department of Health information about our students' weight status groups. The information sent to the New York State Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier.

Only anonymous summary information is sent. No names and no identifying information about individual students is included in the report. However, you may choose to have your child's information excluded from this survey report.

*If you do not wish to have your child's weight status group information included as part of the Health Department's survey this year, please notify the health office in writing.

Thank you,

Jennifer Johnson RN, BSN
(716) 934-2603, ext 1107

80% of all Infections are Transmitted by Hands

Good hand-washing is the #1 most effective way to control and stop the spread of disease! Please instruct your child to wash their hands often.

Children should also be taught to cover their mouth and nose with their arm near their elbow or to cover with a tissue, rather than into their hands when they need to cough or sneeze. An alcohol-based cleanser is only effective if it contains more than 60% alcohol. Hand-washing with soap and water is the preferred method of cleansing.

Proper Hand-washing Technique:

1. Turn on water and wet hands with warm water
2. Apply soap and vigorously rub hands to create a lather
3. Sing "Happy Birthday" silently to yourself 2 times
4. Rinse hands under warm running water and do not touch the sink
5. Dry hands thoroughly
6. Turn off the water with the towel

2024-2025 Health Exam & Screening Grade Level Requirements

Health examinations will be required for new entrants and in grades Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

Vision screening for color perception, distance and near vision acuity will be required for new entrants within 6 months of admission to school.

Distance and near vision acuity will be required in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11. 

Hearing screening utilizing pure tone testing will be required for new entrants within 6 months of admission to school and in grades PreK or K, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.

Scoliosis screening will be required in grades 5 and 7 for girls and grade 9 for boys.

Dental Form

health-exam-form

Throughout the school day children are sent to the Health Office for illness or injury. Every effort is made to allow your child an opportunity to rest and then to return to class.

Should it become necessary for your child to leave due to illness or injury:

• It is essential that the school has the most current contact information on file. Please update phone changes, employment changes and other emergency information. Silver Creek Schools may only release your child to a person that you have delegated as an emergency contact.
• Please arrive in a timely manner to pick up your student.
• First Aid is limited to emergency care by school personnel. Parents are responsible for any further treatment. If it is necessary for a parent to take their child to the doctor following a school-related injury the nurse should be notified.

Criteria for student dismissal (this is a guideline and is not all-inclusive):

• Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
• Vomiting
• Suspected pink eye
• Other physical illness
• Head injury with a raised area or other neurological symptom
• Limb injuries with possible fractures
• Suspicious rash

There are some situations in which it is best to keep your child home for a day or two of rest or to arrange for an appointment with your health care provider:

• Persistent fever above 100.5 orally including a fever that requires control with medication
• Child that is too sleepy or ill from an illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, to benefit from sitting in a classroom all day
• Significant cough that is uncomfortable for the child or disrupts other students
• Sore throat accompanied by fever lasting more that 48 hours or known exposure to streptococcal throat infection
• Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth or rash on other body parts that may be impetigo
• A rash in various stages, including boils and bumps, that may be chickenpox, or other rashes and the presence of a fever
• Red runny eyes that may be contagious or, at best, distracts the student from learning
• Large amounts of discolored nasal discharge, especially if accompanied by facial pain or headache
• Severe ear pain or drainage from the ear
• Severe headache, especially if accompanied by a fever
• Any condition you think may be serious or contagious to others

One note of caution in children:

Health Care Providers strongly advise against ever using aspirin or products containing aspirin in children without the express permission from their doctor. There is an association to REYES SYNDROME and aspirin use in children. Reyes syndrome is a very serious disease that develops as one is getting over a viral illness that targets the liver and brain and is difficult to diagnose (should be suspected in anyone who vomits repeatedly about 3-5 days after the onset of the illness). This illness should be monitored by the Health Care Provider. It is best to read all over the counter medications/products for aspirin-containing ingredients (salicylic compounds) and consult your Health Care Provider prior to administering these types of medication to your child.

Requirements for all medications PRESCRIPTION and OVER THE COUNTER:

• A written request from the parent to administer the medication.
• A written order from the physician indicating the diagnosis for the medication, dosage of medication, route of administration and the frequency of medication. *
• THE MEDICATION MUST BE IN A PRESCRIPTION LABELED CONTAINER. OTC medications must be in the original container from the pharmacy.
• Parents must bring the medication to school, over the counter medications are to be provided by the parent too. NO STUDENT is to transport medication to or from school.
• The only exception is students that have been given a note from their parent and their Physician to carry and self administer an inhaler or an epi pen
• At the end of the school year parents are requested to pick up their child's medication. Medication not picked up by the last day of school will be discarded.

Medication During School Hours Form

Independent Carry Medication Form

Medication Delivery Instructions