Health services

Health requirements for students

All students registering to attend Schlamont schools must fulfill the following requirements:

Have a recent physical examination (acceptable if conducted within 12 months prior to commencement of the school year). This must include an assessment of Body Mass Index and a determination of weight status category, based on BMI for age percentile.

• Physical form for all students K-12  [PDF]

A dental health certificate, completed by the child's dentist, is requested, but not required and should be returned to the appropriate school nurse.

• Dental health certificate [PDF]

Provide an up-to-date immunization record, which complies with New York State Department of Health requirements.

Please note: New immunization requirements for school attendance become effective Sept. 1, 2015. Learn more

• 2018-19 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance [PDF]

For more information on immunization requirements, including frequently asked questions, view the Department of Health's immunization page. Please also feel free to contact your child's school nurse.

In addition, students currently attending Schalmont schools must fulfill the following additional requirements, based on school/grade level:

• Scoliosis screening, which will be completed by the school nurse during hearing and vision testing or during physical education classes (Grades 5, 6, 8 & 9)

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Body Mass Index (BMI)

Physical exams must include an assessment of Body Mass Index and a determination of weight status category, based on BMI for age percentile. A sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health, which includes reporting information about students' weight status groups. Only summary information is sent—no names or information about individual students. However, you may choose to have your child's information excluded from this survey report by contacting your child's school nurse.  

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Student Emergency Cards

Student Emergency Cards are distributed to students at each school level during the first few days of school in September. These cards are very important because they are used to keep the school nurse aware of students' up-to-date medical information and emergency contacts. These must be signed and dated by a student's parent. A new card must be completed and returned each school year.

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Dispensing medication in a school setting

In order for a school nurse to give a student medication (prescription or over the counter) during school hours, all of the following requirements must be met.  Medication must be in its original pharmacy container with the following information: the student's name, name of the medication, the prescribing doctor, dose and time to be given; a signed note from the prescribing physician containing all the information above; and a signed note from the parent/guardian giving the school nurse permission to dispense the medication. All medication must be hand delivered to the school nurse or principal by a parent or responsible adult. Students should not carry medications to and from school.

• Permission to dispense medication [PDF]

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Sick students policy

To ensure the health of all of our students, school policy regarding sick students is as follows:

• A minimum of three doses of medication must be administered before returning to school (Strep Throat or Pink Eye).
• Temperature has to be normal (98.6) for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.
• If your child is experiencing diarrhea on the morning of school, they should remain at home for the day.
• Children who are experiencing vomiting should remain at home until they are healthy enough to return to school (preferably 24 hours after the last vomiting episode).

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Reporting an absence

If a student is going to be absent or tardy, parents/guardians are expected to contact the child's school directly the morning of the absence. Please be prepared to indicate your name, the child's name, his/her grade and a reason for the absence. Calls should be directed to the following individuals, as identified below by school building. 

Schalmont High School

• Attendance Office: 355-6110, ext. 3001

Schalmont Middle School

• Nurse's Office: Cheryl Glindmyer, 355-6255, ext. 2062 or Guidance: 355-6255, ext. 2001

Jefferson Elementary School

• Nurse's Office: Tara Bush or Vivian Limas, 355-1342, ext. 5036.
  Please make every effort to call before 9 a.m. the morning of the absence.

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Want to play a school sport?

Sports Clearance Dates

Students are required to go to the health office on a specific date/time with their completed paperwork for sports clearance. At that time, the school nurse will review the student's latest physical date and their interval health history form. If the student is approved, a sports participation form will be issued to the student, which should be given to the coach on the first day of practice.

• View the upcoming season's sports clearance dates

Sports requirements for participation

In addition to attending a sports clearance date, the following requirements apply to all students who plan to participate in interscholastic sports. 

• Athletic Permission Slip
• Athlete Code of Conduct
• Download the complete sports packet [PDF]
  The necessary forms are also available as separate files in each subheading below.

Physical Exams Required

Students must have an up-to-date physical on file in the Schalmont Health Office (physicals are valid for one year). A private physical with a student's family physician is acceptable, and is highly recommended. The school physician conducts sports physicals, generally in August each year, but a child's family physician is in the best position to appraise a student's health, since he/she is most familiar with their medical history.

The physical examination form you will need to take to your family physician is available below. All private physical forms are reviewed by the school nurse before students can practice.

• Physical exam form [PDF]

Interval Health History

Parents must complete an interval health history form on behalf of their child no earlier than 30 days prior to the first day of practice. This form must be completed prior to each sports season, and returned to the schoool nurse on sports clearance day only. Please note: The form does not have to be completed if a student's physical was conducted by a physician within 30 days prior to the first day of practice.

• Interval health history form [PDF]

Concussion Information Sheet for Students and Parents

• Concussion Information Sheet [PDF]

Parental Permission

Parents are required to complete a permission form with all relevant emergency contact information and return it to their child's coach.

• Parental Permission form [PDF]

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Reporting Injuries & Supplemental Insurance

All injuries should be reported to the coach and athletic trainer. An accident report will be completed by the coach who will submit it to the school nurse. The nurse can send a copy of the accident report to those requiring them.

If your child is injured, it is his/her responsibility to report the injury to their coach, who will in turn notify the school nurse, who will fill out an incident report. The school district carries a supplemental insurance plan to cover incidents that occur in school related activities. If an accident requires medical attention, the parent must submit his or her own insurance first. If the claim is not payable or in excess of the parent's coverage, parents should contact Business Administrator Joseph Lenz at 355-9200, Ext. 4002 or jlenz@schalmont.net.

Elementary school reporting requirements

• Injuries/accidents should be reported to the health office at which time an incident report is filled out by the school nurse.

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Concussion management

Physical education teachers, coaches, nurses and other appropriate staff will receive training to recognize the signs, symptoms and behaviors consistent with a concussion.

Any student exhibiting those signs, symptoms or behaviors while participating in a school sponsored class, extracurricular activity, or interscholastic athletic activity shall be removed from the game or activity and be evaluated as soon as possible by an appropriate health care professional.

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

The student shall not return to school or activity until authorized to do so by an appropriate health care professional.

• Read the district's concussion management policy [PDF]
• Additional resources are available on the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Website
• View the New York State Education Department's Concussion Management Guidelines [PDF]
• Concussion Information Sheet [PDF]

Children and the grieving process

It is very difficult for all of us to face the death of a young person, and it can generate a high level of anxiety and distress in our children. Your child may be affected by a death even if they didn't know the person who passed away. We encourage you to talk with your child. Discussing thoughts and feelings about death is important in helping your child work through a difficult situation. Learn more about the grief process

State Department of Health requests that districts disseminate information on Ebola outbreak in West Africa 

The fall and winter months often mean more cold symptoms, influenza and occasional fevers. This season is no different, but recent media reports about communicable diseases in New York City and Dallas, Texas, have prompted Schalmont to both review its procedures for preventing the spread of illnesses (such as the flu and colds) and also to respond to requests from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the New York State Education Department (SED) to distribute information about Ebola. Learn more about Ebola