Health Services 

Many parents ask, "When is my child sick enough to stay home from school?"

Sometimes this is not an easy question to answer!  We hope that these tips can help.

• Fever in the past 24 hours that is greater than 100 degrees orally without medication

• Vomiting or Diarrhea in the past 24 hours

• Sore Throat or Strep Throat (must be taking antibiotics for 24 hours to return to school)

• Bad cold with a very runny nose or bad cough that is disruptive to sleep and other students

• Red, runny eyes or large amounts of nasal discharge especially if accompanied by facial pain or headache

• Severe ear pain or drainage from the ear

• Any condition that is serious or can be contagious to other students or staff

• Unidentified rash that could be contagious to others

• Head lice- until your child has been treated according to your school nurse's instructions

New York State Law requires health exams (physicals) for students who:

• Enter the school district for the first time

• Are in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11

• Participate in interscholastic sports in grades 7-12  

Health exams are acceptable if administered no more than 12 months prior to the beginning of the school year in which the examination is required.

It is recommended that the health exam (physical) be done by the family physician as he/she is the one who knows the child best. Students who have not returned a health exam to the school nurse will be scheduled with the school physician in late fall. 

NYS Health Physical Examination Form

New York State Education Law 903, Chapter 281, permits schools to request a dental examination report for all newly enrolled students and for students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

 “The department shall, in collaboration with the department of  health, compile and maintain a list of dentists to  which  children  who need comprehensive dental examinations may be referred for treatment on a free or reduced cost basis. Such list shall be made available to all public schools  and  be made available to parents or person in parental  relationship upon request.”

https://www.schoolhealthny.com/domain/137

Each year 50% of public-school districts are notified they have been selected to report student weight status category and health conditions information to the New York State Department of Education electronically.  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. New York State Education Law requires that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination. School districts typically get chosen to participate every 2-3 years.

If you do not want your child’s unanimous BMI stat to be included in this report, please contact your school nurse.

New York State Department of Health recently made some changes to immunization requirements.  It is recommended that parents/guardians discuss requirements and questions with their child’s physician to be sure the child is ready for school.

All students must have a record of having received the proper immunizations prior to starting school.

 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance

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Marcellus Central School Nurses provide care for students by performing health screenings mandated by New York State. The following screenings will be completed at school if not done by the child's primary care physician. Parents/guardians will receive a letter with the results during the school year. Contact your child’s  health office with any questions.

Vision

• Distance and near acuity for all newly entering students and students in UPK, kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.

• Color perception screening for all newly entering students.

Hearing

• Hearing screening for all newly entering students and students in UPK, kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.

Scoliosis

• Scoliosis (spinal curvature) screening for all girls in grades 5 and 7 and boys in grade 9.

Please keep your school nurse updated on your child's health status, such as surgeries, medications, illness/diseases, new diagnoses or other conditions that might affect your child's school performance.  Please make sure the emergency card is completed, signed and updated as needed.

If it is necessary for a child to take or use medicine (prescription or over-the-counter) during school hours, the following rules apply:

• The parent or guardian must submit a signed request to the school nurse.
• The family physician must also submit a written request, detailing the frequency and dosage of the medication and the purpose for which it is being taken.
• All medicines must be delivered to the nurse by a parent or guardian and must be picked up at the end of the school year.
• The medication will be kept in the nurse’s office and will be administered by or under the supervision of the nurse, unless the student has an order from a physician to carry and self-administer medication (i.e., an inhaler).
• The medication must be in the prescription bottle or over-the-counter container.

Concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is sometimes referred to as a mild TBI. Concussions are injuries to the brain that occur as the result of a fall, motor vehicle accident, or any other activity that results in an impact to the head or body.  A concussion is a reaction by the brain to a force transmitted to the head from an impact or blow occurring anywhere on the body. Essentially, a concussion results from the brain moving back and forth or twisting rapidly inside the skull. The symptoms of a concussion result from a temporary change in the brain’s function causing a short-term impairment of brain function. The signs of a concussion may occur immediately or evolve over minutes or days. There is a range of symptoms from a concussion, and students with concussions may display very different signs and symptoms. In most cases, the symptoms of a concussion generally resolve over a brief period ranging from a few days or weeks; however, in some cases, symptoms can last for several weeks or months. In a small number of cases, or in cases of re-injury during the recovery phase, permanent brain injury is possible. Children and adolescents are more susceptible to concussions and take longer than adults to fully recover. 

If a student sustains a concussion at a time other than when engaged in a school-sponsored activity, the district expects the parent or guardian to report the condition to the school nurse, athletic trainer or coach so that the district can support the appropriate management of the student's condition.

The student shall not return to school or activity until authorized by an appropriate health care professional.  The school's Medical Director will make the final decision regarding the student's return to activity which includes physical education class and after school sports.  Any student who continues to have signs and/or symptoms of a concussion upon return to activity must be removed from play and re-evaluated by their health care provider. 

On Sept. 6, 2016, the governor signed into law Chapter 296 of the Laws of 2016. This law requires school districts and BOCES to conduct testing of school potable water sources in occupied buildings and to monitor for lead contamination and remediate where necessary.  This legislation also requires that we notify the general public of the test results and, when applicable, efforts to remedy sources of water containing lead levels greater than or equal to 15 parts per billion. Results of testing of school potable water sources can be found by clicking on this link. If you have difficulty accessing this document, please contact Business Administrator Anthony Sonnacchio at asonnacchio@marcellusschools.org, who can provide the document/information in an alternative format.

March 1, 2024 — CDC updates and simplifies respiratory virus recommendations

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html

Is the flu more serious for kids?

Infants and young children are at greater risk for getting seriously ill from the flu. That’s why the New York State Department of Health recommends that all children 6 months and older get the flu vaccine.

Flu vaccine may save your child’s life.

Most people with the flu are sick for about a week, and then they feel better. But, some people, especially young children, pregnant women, older people, and people with chronic health problems, can get very sick. Some can even die. An annual vaccine is the best way to protect your child from the flu. The vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older every year.

What is the flu?

The flu, or influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu can spread from person to person.

Who needs the flu shot?

• Flu shots can be given to children 6 months and older.
• Children younger than 9 years old who get a vaccine for the first time need two doses.

How else can I protect my child?

• Get the flu vaccine for yourself.
• Encourage your child’s close contacts to get the flu vaccine, too. This is very important if your child is younger than 5, or if he or she has a chronic health problem such as asthma (breathing disease) or diabetes (high blood sugar levels). Because children under 6 months can’t be vaccinated, they rely on those around them to get an annual flu vaccine.
• Wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneezes. It’s best to use a tissue and quickly throw it away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. This will prevent the spread of germs.
• Tell your children to:
  • Stay away from people who are sick;
  • Clean their hands often;
  • Keep their hands away from their face; and
  • Cover coughs and sneezes to protect others.

What are signs of the flu?

The flu comes on suddenly. Most people with the flu feel very tired and have a high fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and sore muscles. Some people, especially children, may also have stomach problems and diarrhea. The cough can last two or more weeks.

How does the flu spread?

People who have the flu usually cough, sneeze, and have a runny nose. The droplets in a cough, sneeze or runny nose contain the flu virus. Other people can get the flu by breathing in these droplets or by getting them in their nose or mouth.

How long can a sick person spread the flu to others?

Most healthy adults may be able to spread the flu from one day before getting sick to up to 5 days after getting sick. This can be longer in children and in people who don’t fight disease as well (people with weaker immune systems).

What should I use to clean hands?

Wash your children’s hands with soap and water. Wash them for as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. If soap and water are not handy, use a hand sanitizer. It should be rubbed into hands until the hands are dry.

What can I do if my child gets sick?

• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks lots of fluids.
• Talk with your child’s health care provider before giving your child over-the-counter medicine.
• Never give your child or teen aspirin, or medicine that has aspirin in it. It can cause serious problems.
• Call your child’s health care provider if your child develops flu symptoms and is younger than 5 or has a chronic medical condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung disease.
• If you are worried about your child’s illness, call your health care provider.

Can my child go to school or day care with the flu?

No. If your child has the flu, he or she should stay home to rest. This helps avoid giving the flu to other children.

When can my child go back to school or day care after having the flu?

Children with the flu should be isolated in the home, away from other people. They should also stay home until they have no fever without the use of fever-control medicines and they feel well for 24 hours. Remind your child to protect others by covering his or her mouth when coughing or sneezing. You may want to send your child to school with some tissues, and a hand sanitizer, if allowed by the school.
 
For more information about the flu, visit health.ny.gov/flu or http://www.cdc.gov/flu
Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Child Health Plus
Frequently Asked Questions About Legislation Removing Non-Medical Exemptions from School Vaccination Requirements
Child Health Plus (Eligibility)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York State Health Department
Onondaga County Department of Health

Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act

1. Parent Resource - Signs of Lice  

2. Parent Resource - Head Lice Treatment myths & realities