School Nurse

In the event your child is absent from school, you must notify the Attendance Office, HSattendance@blindbrook.org or 914-937-3600 ext 4098 and MS attendance for Middle School. Please provide a reason for your child's absence. If your child is arriving late or being dismissed early for any reason, you must also notify the attendance office. If your child has a contagious condition, it is appropriate to notify the health office at MSHSNurse@bindbrook.org.

Your child is too sick for school if they:

• have a temperature of 100 F or above any time in the previous 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Motrin
• vomited or had diarrhea in the past 24 hours
• complains of a stomachache or fatigue with other symptoms(headache, fever, etc.)
• has a headache that persists for a day or recurs
• breaks out in a rash of unknown etiology
• has a purulent discharge from either or both eyes (contact your child's physician)
• has a persistent cough

PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FOR A FULL 24 HOURS after starting antibiotics for strep or other infection, after a fever has returned to normal without using fever reducing medication and after any episode of vomiting. Children who miss school because of illness MAY NOT return for after-school activities, rehearsals or musical events. This and good handwashing before meals and snacks are highly effective ways to reduce the transmission of illnesses.

The NYSED recommends that schools follow the updated CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance released in March 2024 for COVID-19 prevention and to work with their Local Health Department if local cases are high. NYSED currently has no plans to issue additional specific school COVID-19 guidance. The updated CDC guidance utilizes a unified approach to addressing risks from common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV. The recommendations were updated because of decreased hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19. There are no changes to respiratory virus guidance for healthcare settings.

The updated guidance also recommends people stay home and away from others when sick with a respiratory virus and suggests returning to normal activities when symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours, and fever free without antipyretics. Once resuming normal activities, people are encouraged to take additional steps for the next five days to curb spread, such as wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others and enhancing hygiene practices.

2024- 2025 SCHOOL YEAR NYS IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2370.pdf 

We highly recommend that you SUBMIT YOUR CHILD'S ANNUAL EXAM AND IMMUNIZATION RECORD each and every year. This allows your child to remain in school, participate in physical education, fulfill necessary mandated screenings, and meet the NYS Immunization Requirements.

Meningococcal Vaccine All students entering grades 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in New York State will be required to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease as recommended by the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Students in Grade 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 will require 1 dose of MenACWY vaccine (sometimes abbreviated as MCV4; brand names Menactra or Menveo) and students in Grade 12 will require 1 dose of MenACWY on or after age 16 years.

Tdap Requirement for incoming 6th grade students:
Students who are 11 years old and entering 6th Grade are required to have a Tdap. Updated immunization records should be sent to your elementary school health office before last day of school. Any records after last day of school should be mailed or faxed directly to MSHSNurse@blindbrook.org or fax # 914-937-4509. Please make a copy for your records.

Click the following link to view the complete NY State immunization requirements: Immunization Schedule

Medication Orders:

NYSED requires a new medication order each school year. The new medication order must be signed by both your healthcare provider and a parent/guardian. The form is linked on the right.

Medication Pick Up:

All medications need to be picked up by a parent or guardian on or before the last day of school. Please make arrangements with your school nurse to pick up the medication the last week of school. Any medication not picked up by the close of the  last school day will be discarded.

Medication Requirements:

ALL medications given in school, require both parental consent and a physician's order. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medications (e.g. Tylenol, Advil, eyedrops, lotions, etc.). If you wish your child to receive any medications during the year, please complete and return the form. This form must be renewed annually. The medication must be sent in to school in the original pharmacy labeled bottle (no zip lock bags, loose pills etc please). Medication MUST BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL BY AN ADULT AND SENT HOME FROM SCHOOL WITH AN ADULT. NO medication should be transported in a student's backpack.

Field Trips:

On a field trip, medications that do not require rapid administration should be kept in the custody of a staff member. Students will then go to that staff person to self-administer their medication(s). This ensures medication dosages are accounted for by school personnel, students are taking medications as prescribed, and medications are not accessible to students who do not need them. 

Unlicensed school personnel may assist Supervised Students with self-administration of medication. Such personnel must be appropriately instructed by a licensed school professional (RN, NP, PA, or physician) to assist the Supervised Student.

Students with provider orders, attestation, and written parent/guardian consent are required by Education Law to be able to carry and self-administer their own rescue medications for respiratory conditions, epinephrine auto-injector, or insulin, glucagon, and related diabetes supplies at school-sponsored events. Independent Students with other health conditions warranting rapid administration of their medications should also be permitted to self-carry and self-administer their medication to prevent negative health outcomes. Any questions regarding such orders should result in contact by the school nurse or medical director with the healthcare provider to confirm the need for rapid administration warranting the student to carry the medication.

The only medication a teacher can administer is Epinephrine Auto Injectors (Epipen, Auvi Q, etc.). Many of the teachers are trained to assist in the administration of Epinephrine but can only do so if the student has orders on a field trip. In the absence of a student’s epinephrine (none was sent by the parent for the student), 911 will be called.

ALL students that have self-carry orders in health office for Epinephrine auto-injectors (Epi-pen, Auvi Q) and/or inhalers must carry these on their person, for field trips, after hours rehearsals and/or overnight activities plus  ALL SPORTING EVENTS.

If your child has any sort of allergy (to foods, pollen, drugs, etc.), please complete the allergy action plan, linked on the righthand side of this page. If your child has been diagnosed with asthma, reactive airway disease or uses an inhaler, please complete the Asthmatic Reaction Procedure, linked on the righthand side.

If the allergy requires the use of an Epinephrine auto-injector (Epi-pen, Auvi Q) use the Allergy Action Plan. On occasion, both might be applicable. The doctor may order necessary medication on these forms, or use a separate medication administration form. Permission should  be given for a student to carry their Epinephrine auto-injector or inhaler on their person. Additional supplies may also be brought in and kept in the health office.

Please be aware that students MUST carry their Epinephrine and inhalers on their person for ALL field trips/overnight activities. Teachers are trained and can assist students in the administration as needed.  

New York State Education law requires that all students actively participate "to the level of their ability" in the school's Physical Education (P.E.) program.

If your child has any limitations that may affect their participation, the school must receive a doctor's note. This note should include:

1. A diagnosis of the condition
2. A description of the activities your child can participate in
3. The expected duration of these limitations

Please note that attendance in PE class is mandatory, regardless of the degree of participation. This attendance is essential for your child to receive the necessary credit for the course.

NOTE: For proper processing, all P.E. Modification requests and Physicians' P.E. excuses must be submitted to the Health Office and not to coaches, P.E. teachers or deans. Copies will be forwarded to those individuals.

As of August, 2012, new legislation is in effect covering all students (not just athletes) who sustain a concussion while participating in any activity.

The district has a policy that addresses any student that sustains a concussion on or off school grounds. All concussions must be reported to the health office. Students must submit a doctors note with the diagnosis and any restrictions or accommodations. PE, sports coaches and Deans are notified of the injury. Once the student submits a doctors note that states he/she is cleared to return to full activity, the "Return to Play Progression" is started by the PE teacher or coach. This is a gradual return to activity as dictated by the district policy.