Important Health Information

To help ensure the safety of all students, families are asked to report any absences to the main office of their child’s school.

If an absence is unexcused or no reason is entered in Schooltool, a ParentSquare notification will be sent according to the schedule below:

CHS: 10:15 AM | 315-697-6307
RSMS: 9:35 AM | 315-697-2029
SSES: 10:05 AM | 315-697-6372

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain accurate attendance records and student safety.

If a student becomes ill or injured during the school day, they must be evaluated by the school nurse before being dismissed. If the nurse determines the student cannot remain in school, a parent/guardian will be contacted to arrange pickup.

For CHS students only, if a student is to walk or drive home, a parent/guardian must email the main office in advance to authorize release.

Pickup Procedures

• Students in grades K–8 may not walk home alone.
• Students must be signed out at the main office by a parent/guardian or an authorized adult listed on the emergency contact form.
• Photo identification may be required at the time of pickup.
• CHS only: Students may walk or drive themselves home only with prior parent/guardian email authorization to the main office.
• Students may not be transported by other students.

Important:
A parent/guardian who removes a student without notifying school personnel assumes full responsibility for the student’s safety. Leaving school without following proper procedures will be considered truancy.

Student Injury & Health Procedures
If a student is injured during the school day, they must report to the health office immediately. The school nurse will assess the injury, provide appropriate care, and complete an accident report. In emergency situations, the nurse will be contacted right away.

If further medical attention is needed, the nurse will contact a parent/guardian to arrange care with the family physician. If a parent/guardian cannot be reached and the situation requires immediate attention, emergency services (911) will be called.

Emergency Contact Information
Accurate and up-to-date contact information is essential. Families are asked to complete and return student information forms, including all parent/guardian phone numbers (home, work, and cell) as well as additional emergency contacts. This information is kept on file in the main office.

Physical Education (PE) Excuses
A physician’s note is required to excuse a student from physical education for more than two days. The note must include the expected return date.

To help prevent the spread of illness, students should remain home until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours. We appreciate your partnership in keeping our school community healthy.

24-Hour Rule:
Students must be fever-free (below 100.0°F) for 24 hours without the use of medication (such as Tylenol or Motrin).
Students must be free of vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.

Antibiotics:
If prescribed by a healthcare provider, students must complete at least 24 hours of antibiotics before returning to school.

Additional Guidance:
Students should be able to tolerate a normal diet for 24 hours after experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.
When in doubt, please keep your child home to ensure they are fully recovered and not contagious.

If you have any questions, please contact your building nurse.

In accordance with New York State Education Department regulations, all medications—both prescription and over-the-counter—require a written order from a physician and a signed parent/guardian request in order to be administered at school.

All medications must be delivered to the Health Office by a parent/guardian in the original, properly labeled container. Medications will be checked for accuracy and expiration upon arrival.

Medication Guidelines:
Parents/guardians must bring all medications (e.g., pain relievers, cough drops, creams) directly to the school nurse.
All items must be clearly labeled and not expired.

Sunscreen:
Daily application at home is recommended.

For school events or extended outdoor activities, students may bring sunscreen with a note from home authorizing reapplication.

Required Physical Examinations

In accordance with New York State Education Law (Article 19), a health examination is required for students in the following situations:

• Entering the district for the first time
• In grades Pre-K/Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11
• Participating in interscholastic athletics
• Requesting working papers (employment certificate)
• Requiring an initial evaluation or re-evaluation through the Committee on Special Education (CSE/CPSE)

Submission Guidelines

• Validity: Physical exams must be completed within 12 months prior to the start of the school year.
• Deadline: The NYS Health Examination Form must be submitted to the Health Office within 30 days of the start of the school year.
• Private vs. School Physical: If a private physical is not submitted within 30 days, the school physician may complete the required examination.

Dental Health Certificates
In accordance with New York State Law (Chapter 281), schools request a dental health certificate for students upon entry and in the same grade levels as physical exams (Pre-K/K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11).

Body Mass Index (BMI):
In accordance with New York State Education Law, school health examinations include height and weight measurements to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is used as a general screening tool to help determine if a student is within a healthy weight range.

Schools are required to report anonymous, combined (aggregated) data to the New York State Department of Health. Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of this reporting by contacting the school nurse.

NYS Immunization Requirements for School Attendance

In accordance with New York State Public Health Law, all students—from Pre-K (including Extended School Year programs) through Grade 12—must be up to date on required immunizations to attend school.

If immunization documentation is not received within the 14-day grace period, students will be excluded from school until proof is provided to the School Registered Professional Nurse (RPN).

Pre-K & Extended School Year (ESY)

Students entering Pre-K must receive age-appropriate doses, as determined by a physician, of the following vaccines:

• DTaP: 4 doses
• Polio (IPV): 3–4 doses
• MMR: 1 dose
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses
• Varicella (Chickenpox): 1 dose
• Hib: 1–4 doses
• Pneumococcal (PCV): 1–4 doses

Kindergarten - Students entering Kindergarten
Students entering Kindergarten must have the following prior to the first day of school:

• DTaP: 4–5 doses (5 doses required unless the 4th was given at age 4 or older)
• Polio: 3–4 doses (4 doses required unless the 3rd was given at age 4 or older)
• MMR: 2 doses
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses
• Varicella: 2 doses

Grade 6 Requirement

• Students entering 6th grade must receive the Tdap booster (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis).
• Required at age 11
• If a student is 10 at the start of the school year, they have until their 11th birthday plus a 14-day grace period to submit documentation.

Grades 7 & 12 Requirements

• Grade 7: One (1) dose of the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) is required
• Grade 12: Two (2) doses of MenACWY are required
• Only one dose is needed if the first dose was received at age 16 or older
• Students without proper documentation will be excluded from school until requirements are met.

Extended School Year (ESY)
Students in grades 5 and 6 attending ESY must meet immunization requirements for the upcoming school year, as summer programming is considered the start of the new academic year.
Proof of immunization or a valid medical exemption must be provided within 14 days of attendance.

Medical Exemptions & Documentation

• Medical Exemptions: Only medical exemptions are permitted and must meet New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidelines
• Approval: Exemptions must be approved by the school administrator
• Annual Renewal: Required each year and must be completed by a licensed NYS physician
• Forms: Please contact your school nurse to obtain the approved NYSDOH Medical Exemption Statement form

School Health Screenings

In accordance with New York State Education Law, the Registered Professional Nurses (RPNs) of the Canastota Central School District conduct required health screenings to help identify any potential barriers to student learning.

Screenings are completed for students at designated grade levels, as well as for all new entrants to the district.

Required Screenings Include:
Vision: Near and distance vision screening for students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11, and all new entrants
Color vision screening is also required for new entrants.
Hearing: Screening for students in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11, and all new entrants

Scoliosis:
Girls in grades 5 and 7
Boys in grade 9
Additional screenings may be conducted at the discretion of the school nurse. If a concern is identified, a referral notice will be sent home.

Parent/Guardian Information
If you prefer to have these screenings completed by your child’s private healthcare provider, please notify the Health Office in writing and submit documentation of the results.
If documentation is not received, screenings will be completed at school by the nursing staff.

Overnight Trip Medication Guidelines

To help ensure the health and safety of all students participating in the upcoming school-sponsored overnight trip, the Health Office must be informed of all medications your child takes, including both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Medication Requirements & Documentation
In accordance with New York State guidelines for the Administration of Medication in School Settings, the following must be submitted to the Health Office at least one week prior to departure:

• A written medication order from the prescribing healthcare provider for each medication
• Written parent/guardian permission to administer each medication

Important Guidelines

• Forms: A separate authorization form is required for each medication. Forms are available in the Health Office and on the district website.
• Medication Delivery: All medications must be in their original, properly labeled containers
• Submission: Completed forms and medications must be returned to the Health Office (faxed forms are accepted)
• Deadline: Medications cannot be administered without proper documentation submitted by the deadline.

Self-Directed Students

• According to NYSED guidelines, a self-directed (independent) student is able to understand, manage, and take responsibility for their own medication.
• Students identified as self-directed by their healthcare provider may carry and administer emergency medications only, such as inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens), insulin, or glucagon.
• Students who are supervised self-directed may receive assistance from trained staff when taking non-emergency medications.​​​​​​​
• If your child is not designated as self-directed, or if you have any questions, please contact the Health Office so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep all students safe during this trip.

Child Health Plus is New York State’s high-quality, no-cost or low-cost health insurance plan for children under 19, regardless of income or immigration status. Available through many providers statewide, it covers comprehensive services (dental, vision, vaccines, checkups) for children not eligible for Medicaid and who lack other insurance. Enroll year-round through the NY State of Health marketplace or call 1-800-698-4543

The New York State Education Department recommends that hand sanitizers should be used where traditional soap and water are not readily accessible.Careful hand washing with soap and water is still the most effective way of preventing the spread of germs and is strongly encouraged when possible and after 3 or more uses of hand sanitizer.