Requirements for School Attendance

In accordance with the NYS Education Department Guidelines, students in grades PreK, K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, are required to have a physical exam as well as all students participating in sports.

Also, all new students entering the district must have a physical on file.

If your child has not received an examination by his/her own physician, he/she will have the exam completed by our school physician during the course of the school year.

Immunization Requirements for Attending School

All children must be age-appropriately immunized to attend school in NYS. The number of doses depends on the schedule recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). Intervals between doses of vaccine must be in accordance with the “ACIP-Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.” Doses received before the minimum age or intervals are not valid and do not count toward the number of doses listed below. See footnotes for specific information for each vaccine. Children who are enrolling in grade-less classes must meet the immunization requirements of grades for which they are age equivalent. Dose requirements MUST be read with the footnotes of this schedule at http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2370.pdf

When to Keep Your Child Home from School

If your child has a temperature of 100 degrees and/or is vomiting, please keep him/her home from school until he/she is free from temperature/vomiting for 24-hours without the use of medication.

If your child gets sick at school, the child will need to be picked up from school and kept home until he/she is 24 hours free of temperature or vomiting.

All children who are absent from school must submit a written excuse upon return.

Medication During School Hours

According to New York State Education Law 257, Mandated Procedure: All medication orders must be renewed ANNUALLY. This applies to a change in medication, as well as updated dosages. Furthermore, an adult must deliver all medications to the school in the original container. 

All medications, prescription or non-prescription must be accompanied by a written prescription to the school nurse from the doctor and permission by the parent to administer the medication. The pharmacy label is not a sufficient order and cannot be used in lieu of a written order from a licensed prescriber. 

All medication MUST be provided by the guardian/parent. We are sure you can understand that this procedure is designed to protect the child, the parent, and the school, and we hope in the event that your child must take medication during school hours, that you will cooperate with us. 

Health Screenings

The Health Office supports students' academic success by promoting health in the school setting. One way we provide care for your child is by performing the health screenings as mandated by the State of New York. Screenings will not be done if adequate screening results have been provided on a Health Examination Form from a licensed medical provider.

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

These screenings will be completed by the end of the school year. Referrals for further evaluation are made if there is a deviation from normal.  Contact the health office if you have any questions.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Reporting

As part of a required school health examination, students will have their height and weight taken. These numbers are used to calculate the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI.' The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low.

New York State Education Law requires that BMI and weight status group information be included as part of the student’s school health examination in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. Each year, a sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health. If our school is selected to be part of the survey, we will be reporting health information about our students’ weight status groups to the New York State Department of Health. Only summary information is sent. No names and no information about individual students are sent. However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report. 

You may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report. If you do not wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the Health Department’s survey this year, you must submit your request in writing to the health office.

The information sent to the New York State Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier.

On behalf of the Hadley-Luzerne Central School District, it is my pleasure to elaborate on our partnership with the Hudson Headwaters Health Network in our school-based health center, Hadley-Luzerne Student Health.

Located in the Stuart M. Townsend Elementary School, this health center is available to all students enrolled in the district, PK-12.

In the PDF below, you will find pertinent information on what to expect and what the health center will offer our students.

Key highlights include:

• An introduction to the program  
• Hours of operation  
• Services offered
  
• Parental consent/eligibility
  
• Information to book appointments
  
• Introduction to the healthcare team

This is an incredible resource for our students and families. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please contact our district office.

Sincerely,

Burgess Ovitt

Superintendent of Schools

Contact
Stuart M. Townsend Elementary School
27 Hyland Drive, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846
518-824-2580