Elementary School Nurse: Hannah Wilbur
Phone: 589-7118
Middle School Nurse: Donna Gulde
Phone: 589-7128
High School Nurse: Teri Vallely
Phone: 589-7148
Fax for All 3 Nurses
Fax: 589-3003
Guidelines for Keeping a Child Home from School
If your child is not feeling well, it is best to keep them home rather than to ask them to make it through the school day. Please keep your child home from school if your child has:
• a fever greater than 100 orally, including a fever that requires control with medication like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen). Child needs to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before they are sent back to school.
• COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath). Parent/guardian should call DOH COVID Hotline at 888-364-3065 for guidance. Please see latest list of symptoms on www.svecsd.org/health.cfm
• active vomiting or diarrhea. Keep home until 24 hours since last episode without a medication that treats vomiting or diarrhea.
• child is too sleepy or ill from an illness.
• significant cough that makes a child feel uncomfortable or disrupts the class.
• sore throat that is severe, accompanied by fever and/or feeling ill, that persists longer than 48 hours OR occurring after known exposure to a confirmed case of Streptococcal throat infection.
• undiagnosed, new, and/or untreated rash or skin condition (i.e. generalized hives, wound with purulent drainage, etc.).
•honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth, or rash on other body parts that might be impetigo; OR a rash in various stages including boils, sores and bumps that may be Chicken Pox; OR a significant rash accompanied by other symptoms of illness such as fever.
• red, runny eyes that distract the child from learning. If the eyes are reddened, itch, are painful or have discharge, please contact your doctor before sending them to school.
• large amount of discolored nasal discharge, especially if accompanied by facial pain or headache.
• severe ear pain or drainage from the ear.
• severe headache, especially if accompanied by fever.
• any condition that you think may be serious or contagious to others.
• if your child has a doctor’s note requiring an individual plan of care to stay home.
Please contact school nurse via email or phone regarding reason for absence from school.
A Message from the School Nurses Regarding the Coronavirus
A Note from the Nurse Regarding Physical Exams
The Interval Health History Form and NYS School Health Exam Form are required, replacing any other physical form previously used, which can be accessed clicking links above or a copy can be obtained at your child's school Health Office.
As of July 1, 2018 New York State law will require a health examination for all students entering the school district for the first time and when entering Pre-K or K, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th , and 11th grade.
A physical is also required for 7th-12th graders who would like to participate in school sports. This physical must be within 12 months of month the sport starts, and is then good for the remainder of that sport season. Athletics information, click here.
The nurses have noticed that many students have a physical done at school and another done by their private provider within the year. Physicals done in the school setting cost the district, and we feel this is an opportunity to help reduce the cost to the district. If you are able, we are requesting that your child be seen by their private health care provider for a physical exam instead of having one done at school. Most insurances cover an annual well visit/physical, and students receive a considerably more thorough physical from their health care provider, as they know the child and their medical history. Also the provider is then familiar with the student in the event of an illness, if an order for a medication to be given in school becomes necessary, or if a state required vaccination is required.
If your child will have a physical exam performed by their healthcare provider, please ask the provider for a copy to give to the nurse, or have them fax a copy to the school nurse at 589-3003 for all three building nurses.
For those who are not able to go to their provider, physicals will be offered here at the high school and middle school in May. Prior to the physical, a Health History Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian. The Health History Form is available linked and in the nurse’s office for your student to pick up.
Emergency Information
At the beginning of every school year, parents are asked to update emergency information files. It is very important that we know how to reach a parent or designated person in case of an emergency. If any changes are made during the school year concerning this information, it is very important that you notify the school.
Immunizations
All students attending school in New York State are required to be immunized against a variety of diseases. A complete list of New York State Immunization Requirements is linked.
Please remember that children without proper immunizations will not be allowed to attend school. Here is a link to the CDC Immunization Schedule.
If you have any questions, please contact school nurses Hannah Wilbur (Elementary School: 589-7118), Donna Gulde (Middle School: 589-7128) or Teri Vallely (High School: 589-7148).
Administering Medication in School
If possible, parents are advised to give medications at home and on a schedule other than school hours. If it is necessary that a medication be given during school hours, the legal regulations are as follows (these regulations also include over-the-counter medications):
- Medications must be brought to school by a parent or responsible adult in the original prescription bottle.
- The physician prescribing the medication must fill out a doctor's order and a parent must give written permission.
- Students are not allowed to carry any type of medication without proper authorization from a physician, the students parent/guardian and the nurse.
Unless these steps are followed, school nurses are not allowed to dispense medication to your child. These rules are for your child's safety; they are also required by law.
NYSED Guidelines for Medication Management in Schools. Refer to pages 14 and 15.
School/Community Health and Wellness Team
The Comprehensive School/Community Health and Wellness Team is made up of a diverse group of community members, parents, staff, area health professionals and students, with the goal of promoting health and wellness in the community.
The coordinator of health education oversees this team and conducts several meetings per year. Information and meeting schedules can be obtained by calling the high school health office at 589-7148.
Please use this link to view our District Wellness Policy.