In an effort to keep our student body healthy, Rye City School District has reviewed the policy regarding hand sanitizer use. Careful hand washing with soap and water is the recommended method to keep hands clean and free of germs. We are fortunate that most areas in our schools provide access to sinks and soap.   However, there are a few areas that do not.   One such area is the cafeteria.   Therefore, dispensers of non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be mounted in the cafeterias. Each dispenser will be labeled with the product name and ingredients. Only non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be permitted.  Parents/guardians may provide written notification to the school if they do not wish to have their child use this product. 

If you wish to learn more about the product provided, you may call your school’s health office.

RCSD Health Screenings

New York State requires the RCSD to conduct several student health screenings annually. Starting next week, school health offices will begin screening students for:

Vision

• Distance and near acuity screening for all new students to the RCSD and students in Kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11

• Color perception screening for all students new to the District

Hearing

• Hearing screening is for all new students to the RCSD and students in kindergarten and 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

If any concerning findings are detected during the screenings, parents/guardians will receive a letter mailed to their home. Please contact the school Health Office if you have any questions or concerns, or if you wish to opt your student out of the screening program.

Public Health Law- Section 2164: All students enrolling in any school in New York State for the first time shall submit a written statement signed by a health care provider that they have been immunized as per NYS standards.

Exemptions from this requirement include:

• Serologic proof of immunity to:
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B or Varicella
  • Medical exemptions approved by the district

Not sure if your child has head lice?

Stop by the Health Office anytime and you can be shown how to identify head lice. It may be difficult to identify nits (lice eggs) if you've never seen them before. You may mistake dandruff for nits, or mistake nits as "nothing". Nits are tiny and are attached to the hair shaft, close to the scalp, in such a way that they can only be removed by pulling them down the length of the hair shaft with some force, such as between your fingernails or with a fine tooth comb.

If your child has head lice...

Don't overreact! There is no doubt that having lice in your family is a time-consuming and tedious experience. They can cause itching and be difficult to get rid of but aren't as harmful as many other common childhood afflictions. Check all family members at home for lice and nits and treat as needed. See the folder to the right for some more information and please call with any questions.  Please see our district policy on lice and our district regulation on lice.

AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics

CDC - CenterS for Disease Control

A Guide to Head Lice

Managing Head Lice in the School Setting

NASAN - National Association of School Nurses

New York State Department of Health

NYSSBA - New York State School Boards Association

VIDEO: What Lice And Their Eggs Look Like

School nurses may administer medications to students during the school day with a written prescription from a physician, written permission from the parent/guardian, and the medication in the original or pharmacy-labeled container.

There are some students with severe food allergies, which can be life-threatening. Peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergies are of particular concern. We respectfully request families consider choices other than peanuts or foods containing nuts and sesame. No peanut, tree nut, or sesame products will be allowed to be eaten in the classroom. All children who have peanut-, tree nut-, or sesame-containing lunches will sit at a designated table in the cafeteria. After eating at this table, students are to use disposable wipes to clean their hands. Please speak with your child about the serious consequences of allergies so they can be sensitive to the needs of their classmates. Please use caution when sending in food for class parties and snack. Thank you for helping make a healthy and safe environment for all our students. Please see our district policy on life-threatening allergies.

Peanut Tree Nut Sesame Allergy Letter - Fall 2024

New York State requires that a physical exam be on file at the Health Office for all new entrants, and for grades Pre K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.  Physical exams are also required for students who are interested in participating in a school sport. A physical for sports participation needs to be less than a year old at the start of the sport.

American Heart Association

FamilyID

Impact Concussion Test

New York State Department of Health

Student Concussions & Head Injuries Regulations

New York State Department of Health Recommendations for Respiratory-Related Illnesses

The school will make every effort to prevent accidental injuries and to provide first aid as necessary.  In case of an accident, parents will be called immediately. If parents cannot be reached, the emergency contact will be called.

Asthma Health Care Plan

Dental Health Certificate

Emergency Allergy Health Care Plan

Health Appraisal Form - State Mandated Form

Immunizations Form

Medical Exemption Form

Parent Consent & Physician Authorization for Diabetics

Parent & Physician Authorization of Meds

Seizure Action Plan

Student Health Restriction/Injury Form

Sunny Days!  NY State allows students to carry and apply sunblock by themselves if the school has a written permission note from a parent.  If you would like to send in sunblock with your student, please first send a short email giving your permission to the school nurse, and he/she will inform the classroom teacher that your child is allowed to have sunblock with them.  Please do not send in spray sunblock.  Hats may also be worn at recess if desired.