School Health Services
The school nurse in each district building provides first aid emergency care during illness and/or accidents that occur while students are under school supervision.
It is important that parents accurately complete and return the emergency information sent home each September as soon as possible. This information includes the name of the person(s) who will serve as an emergency contact. If a parent or guardian cannot be reached in an emergency, the school physician, family physician, or an ambulance will be called.
Click here for the New York State Center for School Health website.
When to keep your student home
...and when to return to school
Please keep your child home if your child has...
- A fever of 100.4 or higher; your child may return to school when fever free without medication for 24 hours
- Diarrhea within 24 hours; return to school when free from diarrhea for 24 hours
- Vomiting within 24 hours; return to school when free from vomiting for 24 hours
- Rash or open sores on the skin; return when free from rash or with a provider's note to return to school
- Severe ear pain or ear drainage; return when evaluated and released by a health care provider
- Tested positive for strep throat; return after treated with antibiotics for at least 12 hours
- Severe pain that is not improving such as headache or stomach pains; return when improved or evaluated by a health care provider
- Any illness causing the student to be too sleepy (lethargic) or ill to participate in class; return when they have recovered from illness
- Significant disruptive cough or trouble breathing; return when symptoms have improved
- Hospital stays, ER visit, significant injury, or surgery; return with a note from a medical provider to return to school
- Any condition that you think may be serious or contagious to others; check with your healthcare provider on when to return to school.
- Tested positive for a respiratory virus;* see the information below.
Please call your school nurse if you have questions about whether or not your child should stay home sick and when to return.
* Current Respiratory Virus Protocol
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, Influenza (Flu), or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):
- Stay home from school and restrict contact with others.
- Return to school when both of the following are true for at least 24 hours:
- Symptoms are getting better overall and,
- If a fever was present, the fever has been gone without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours.
- When returning to school, students should consider taking additional precautions by wearing a well-fitting mask (if over age two) for five days to prevent the spread of the disease.
- If symptoms or fever return or worsen, individuals should stay home and away from others, seeking medical attention if deemed necessary.
Infectious Diseases
If your student is diagnosed with an infectious disease, please inform your school nurse. This allows the school nurse to be aware of your student’s heath status and protect the health of all children in the school. For a full list of infectious diseases to inform the school nurse about, please click here.
For information on specific contagious diseases and when your child can return, please click here.
Health Examination Form
New York State requires all physicals submitted to the school to be completed on the Required New York State School Health Examination Form. This includes physicals for school and athletics. Physicals must be completed by a New York State provider (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) or a provider that practices within 30 miles of the New York State border. The state form is below:
New York State Health Form (fillable)
Medication
A New York State provider (physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant) order is rquired for the school nurse to administer any medications at school. This is necessary for both prescription and nonprescription (over the counter) medications. Over the counter medications include medication such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, cough drops, cold medications, etc.
If your child needs to take medication during school hours, we require:
- A provider order that is also signed by the parent/guardian - Physician's Order for Giving Medication in School.
- The parent/guardian must have the medication delivered directly to the school nurse by an adult. Medication cannot be sent in with the child.
- Medication must be in a properly labeled original pharmacy container. Over the counter medications must be in their sealed original packaging and match the provider order.
- Medication orders must be renewed annually. At the end of the school year, medications at school must be picked up by an adult or they will be disposed of after the last day of school.
In addition, parents should notify their child's school nurse of any medications taken at home. This information will be recorded in the student's school health record and may be important in the event of an emergency or illness.
Immunizations
A healthy school setting gives all students the best opportunity to learn and grow. Immunizations protect children from getting and spreading disease. New York State Public Health Laws requires every student entering or attending school in New York State to be vaccinated in accordance with Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations. For a list of immunizations required by New York State, click here.
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure written proof of immunization is forwarded to the school nurse. Acceptable forms of proof of immunization (documentation) include:
An electronic health record from your providers office, an immunization certificate signed of stamped by your health care provider, a record issued by NYSIIS or CIR, an official immunization registry from another state or foreign country if applicable.
You will be notified if your student is missing any immunizations. Your student will not be allowed to attend school per NYS law if proof of immunization is not received.
Public Health Law Section 2164 provides only for medical exemptions to immunization. If you feel your student may qualify for a medical exemption, please discuss this with your medical provider, and inform your school nurse for more information.
The Chemung County Health Department may be able to help uninsured or under insured students receive their immunizations, call the health department at (607) 737-2028 to receive additional information on if your student qualifies.
Physicals
New York State requires that all students submit a physical exam at the following times:
- Entering school for the first time
- Entering grades pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11
- Other grade levels as determined by school administration to promote the educational interests of the student
- To participate in athletics
- Upon request for employment certificate (working papers/card)
- When conducting an evaluation of a student suspected to have a disability
Physicals must be done by a New York state provider (or a NYS bordering provider) and documented on the required New York State Health Examination form.
Physicals completed within the 12-month period preceding the start of the school year are acceptable. The physical must be submitted within 30 days of your student entering school. If we do not receive the physical, they will be scheduled for a school appraisal by the district medical director/nurse practitioner.
Please note: An appraisal is not the same as a full physical by your private physician. School appraisals are intended for school attendance only and are not intended to replace the continuity of care provided by your private physician. School appraisals do not provide service orders (OT, PT, speech, etc) or medication orders.
The state requires all schools to request dental health certificates from parents at the same time we require a health certificate (grades Pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11). For more information, contact your school nurse.
Screenings
All students are screened according to state mandates. If the results of any screening indicate that the child requires further follow-up, the parent/guardian will receive written notification:
- Vision in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, and new students
- Hearing in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, and new students
- Scoliosis: Girls - grades 5, 7; Boys - grades 9
EpiPen®
The school medical director has approved a standing order for EpiPen®. This order allows school nurses to administer it to a student who is exhibiting symptoms of anaphylaxis (a sudden severe allergic reaction) who may have no history of allergies and is experiencing their first reaction at school. It is intended as an emergency intervention in a life-threatening situation. If your student has a known allergy and is prescribed an EpiPen®, please inform your school nurse and provide the EpiPen®.
For more information on school health services, please contact your school nurse.
District-Wide Nurse Practitioner
Kristen Raniewicz 607-739-5601, x1769
School Nurses:
| Kelli Breslin, Registered Nurse | Big Flats | |
| Desra Clemons, Licensed Practical Nurse | Big Flats | |
| Amy Gee, Registered Nurse | Center Street | |
| Nicole Strong, Registered Nurse | Center Street | |
| Tammy Klein, Licensed Practical Nurse | Center Street | |
| Barbara Hinman, Registered Nurse | Gardner Road | |
| Robin Plummer, Licensed Practical Nurse | Gardner Road | |
| Carrie Tournour, Registered Nurse | High School | |
| Vickie White, Registered Nurse | High School | |
| Kayla Bastinelli, Licensed Practical Nurse | High School | |
| Tracy Senatore, Registered Nurse | Intermediate School | |
| Darcy Pellicano, Licensed Practical Nurse | Intermediate School | |
| Annette Cobb, Registered Nurse | Middle School | |
| Lynette Palma, Licensed Practical Nurse | Middle School | |
| Karena Bifano, Registered Nurse | Ridge Road | |
| Justine Goodwin, Licensed Practical Nurse | Ridge Road | |
| Michelle Procopio*, Registered Nurse | Student Services | |
| Kristen Raniewicz, Nurse Practitioner | Student Services | |