Nurse: Christine Riordan
P: (845) 624-3417 x4

Absence/Tardiness:
Please contact the nurse's office to report any absence, and follow up with an absent note to be sent to your child’s teacher upon return to school. Please also notify us if your child is going to be late. Making every effort to be on time is a good habit to instill when they are young. It is disruptive to the other students and teacher to have a child arrive late when class has already begun, and is stressful for the student as they miss those first important instructions for the day.

Exams (Physical/Dental/Scoliosis – due by October 1):
NYS Education Law requires a physical and dental for new students, and those in kindergarten and grades 1, 3 and 5. A scoliosis exam is also required for all fifth graders. Forms are available in the Health Office and here. Children who have not brought in their completed forms will be scheduled to be examined by the school physician and dentist.

Vision and Hearing:
Each elementary school child is given a vision and hearing screening every year. If a condition is found as a result of the vision and hearing screening, the school nurse will notify you.

General Health Information

Hand Washing:
This remains the number one defense against germs. Remind your child to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and then to wash their hands – especially after using the bathroom and before eating.

Lice:
These seem to multiply in the summer and fall months due to sleepovers at friends and camps. Please check your child’s head frequently, starting at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. If you treat your child for head lice, please notify us.

Medication:
Medication may only be administered by the school nurse. A written order by a physician is required for all medication administered in school. This applies to both prescription and non-prescription, or over the counter, medications. Medications must be provided in their original containers. Please notify the nurse's office if your child takes medication. Please also contact us immediately if your child has contracted a communicable disease or is hospitalized.

Physical Education/Recess Exclusion:
Children may be excused for one day with a parents note. A physician’s note is required for longer exclusions or following surgery, hospitalization or injury. A physician’s note is required for clearing a child for return to PE.

Rash:
If your child has a rash that is itchy or oozing, keep them home and seek the advice of your physician.

Red Eyes:
Your child should be kept home and you should seek the advice of your physician if they have red, itchy eyes with a discharge.

Seasonal (Summer):

• Sunscreen
  It is important to apply sunscreen, even if you already have a tan. Damage to young skin can lead to problems later in life. Do not forget to put sunscreen on children before outdoor activities, especially behind their ears and the back of their neck.
   
• Sleep:
  The transition from summer to school is difficult for children. It is important that they get a good night’s sleep, so that they keep up their energy level throughout the day.
   
• Dehydration:
  It is important for children to drink plenty of water when the temperature outside rises. In warm weather, please send your child to school with a water bottle, and encourage them to drink frequently.
   
• Allergies:
  If your child has spring/summer allergies, please let us know. Remind them that if they are sneezing or coughing a lot to cover their nose or mouth, and then wash their hands.

Seasonal (Winter):

• Please monitor your child’s outerwear daily. Dress them in layers, and in a hat, mittens or gloves. Remind your child to tell an adult if they are feeling cold outdoors. They will then be directed indoors to get warm and be evaluated. They must also let someone know if their shoes/boots, mittens/gloves or clothing becomes wet when outside. Remind your child to cover their nose or mouth when they sneeze or cough, and then to wash their hands.

Strep Throat:
If a throat culture is pending for your child, please do not send them to school until the final results are determined. Students must be home for 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotic medication before returning to school.

Temperature:
If your child has an elevated temperature (over 100 degrees) in the evening or morning before school and exhibits symptoms of a cold, cough or sore throat, keep them home and seek the advice of your physician. A child should remain home for 24 hours after an elevated temperature returns to normal.

Ticks:
Check your child from head to toe after playing outside. The tick should be removed as soon as possible.

Upset Stomach:
Your child should remain at home 24 hours following a stomach or intestinal upset, or until they can resume their normal diet.