Health & Wellness

Immunizations: All students entering school for the first time must show proof of immunization prior to attending school. Student immunizations should be kept up to date. If an update is not provided as soon as possible, you will be asked to keep your child home until the required immunizations are given. Detailed immunization requirements by grade level are available from the health office.

Physicals: New York State Education Law requires physical examinations of children when they:

• Enter the school district for the first time

• Are in grades Pre K, K, 1, 3

• Participate in interscholastic sports

Each physical needs to include the students body mass index (BMI) and weight status category. To help you meet this state requirement, our school healthcare provider will be conducting physical exams periodically during the school year. If you prefer your own doctor, forms are available on the NYS Health website. although many medical offices have the form electronically within their own computer system. Your doctor’s office can fax the required NYS School Health Examination Form to 315-822-3436. Health examinations must be dated no more than 12 months prior to the start of the school year in which they are required (or the date of entrance to the school for newly enrolled students.)

Dental Exams: The Dental Health Certificate is optional. This is requested as part of the expanded health screenings in New York State.

Screenings: Mount Markham Central School's Health Services program supports all students' academic success by promoting health in the school setting.  One way that we provide care for your student is by performing the health screenings as mandated by the State of New York. Screenings will be performed at school by the nurse for the required grades.  A letter will be sent home if your student needs follow-up with your healthcare provider. Please call the school’s Health Office if you have any questions or concerns.

During this school year, the following screenings will be required or completed at school:

Vision

• Distance and near acuity for all newly entering students and students in Pre-K or Kindergarten, 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 Pre-K or Kindergarten, 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.

New York State law requires that the following procedures be followed when medication must be administered to a student during the school day:

A parent must submit a written request to school authority together with:

• A written request from the student's physician indicating the frequency and dosage of the prescribed medication

• The medication must be brought to school by a responsible adult in the original container, labeled with the name of the recipient, the name of the medication and the prescribed dose.

Unless these procedures are followed, medication will not be administered in school. The school nurse is unable to administer medications without ALL of the required information. This includes over-the-counter medications. Please note that the school does not stock any over the counter medication. 

NYS regulations require new medication orders for medication administration in school each year. This applies to both prescription and non-prescription medications. Please be aware that some medication dosages are calculated by weight and your child's medication should be reviewed for the next school year.

Medication will need to be picked up by a parent/guardian at the end of the school year.

If your child has a known hypersensitivity or allergy to substances such as food or insects, it is imperative that you alert your school nurse before the first days of school. In severe reactions, children may develop hives, itching,and swelling, which can lead immediately to difficulty in breathing. Prompt recognition and treatment could save your child’s life.

A parent/guardian should bring the child’s prescribed medication(s) to the school nurse with a written order from the healthcare provider. The nurse will coordinate with parents to develop an emergency care plan specifically for your child if the prescriber has not already done so.

Our goal is to provide safe and immediate treatment for your child should the need arise. Communication of these needs is the first step!

There is a form that can be given to your child's healthcare provider to be filled out and provide the school with an Emergency Plan specific to your child should they be exposed to their known allergen.