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CCSD District Newsletter            April-June  2008
Text Box: NURSES CORNER: HEALTH APPRAISAL FORMS:The Banford Elementary Nurse will be sending, by mail, the health appraisal form that is mandated for next year’s Pre-k, Kindergarten (if the student did not attend our Kidstart program), and second graders. Many parents have their children’s physicals completed during the spring months, so this form can be taken to the physician and then returned to the nurse. Legally, we can accept any physical that has been done 12 months prior to the commencement of the school year in which the examination is required. BMI REPORTING: Also required by the Department of Health for next year will be the reporting of Body Mass Index and Weight Status Category. There is a section on the health certificate that the physician must complete. This information will be reported to the New York State Health Department. DENTAL CERTIFICATES:Along with the health appraisal, a new law will be in effect on September 1, 2008 for a dental certificate to be completed by your dentist. This law is still being developed as to which grade levels would be required to participate in this mandate. The nurse will be sending the mandated form as soon as it is available from the state. EMERGENCY CARDS: These cards are used by the staff to contact parents/guardians, or those listed as safe contacts; in case of an illness or emergency. If there is a change in name, home phone number, work number, or address, please contact the school so the emergency card can be updated. SPORTS AND PHYSICALS: Canton Central School policy states that any student wanting to participate in a school sponsored sport must have a physical once a year by the school physician. This spring students wanting to play a Modified, Junior Varsity, or Varsity sport during any season in the 2008/2009 school year will sign up in their building’s nurse’s office. A sports health history form must be completed by the parent/guardian and returned to the nurse. Please remind your children to listen to morning announcements for the scheduling of these physicals. HEALTH RECORDS: Any time your child goes to his or her primary physician and receives a physical exam, immunizations, a change in medications, or a medication to treat an illness, please provide copies to the school nurse so their records will remain current. This information is kept confidential. MEDICATIONS IN SCHOOL: Any medication a student needs to take during school hours must be done through the nurse’s office according to New York State Educational Law. This includes any medicine that can be purchased over the counter, (for example: Tylenol or ibuprofen), as well as those needing a doctor’s order and obtained through the pharmacy. A copy of the doctor’s order, along with written parental permission, must be kept on file in the nurse’s office and renewed each school year. Please contact the nurse’s office for forms or any questions you may have. REQUIRED PHYSICALS: For those students entering fourth grade in the fall of 2008, New York State Education Department does require a physical examination. This spring, the Middle School nurse will be mailing a letter home, along with the physical form, for those wishing to have this physical completed by their own health care provider. Those students entering sixth grade in the fall of 2008 and are 11 years of age or older must receive an immunization containing tetanus toxoids,diphtheria and acellular pertusis (Tdap). The Middle School nurse will be reviewing the health records and sending letters to those students who are in need of this vaccine.

Why a Dean of Students?  (continued from page 13)

Do we need a Dean of Students?  I hope I have answered that question with an unequivocal “Yes!”  Gone are the days when students’ were sent to the principal’s office for the transgressions of chewing gum or wearing a skirt that was two inches above the knee.  The world and nation have changed dramatically since you and I attended school, and so have our schools.  We must adjust with the times.  I want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to address the many social and emotional challenges our students bring to school with them every day so that we can focus on our core mission of providing them with the educational foundation they need to be all that they can be.  Working together we can make this goal a reality.   (continued on page 15)