Each school is staffed by a Registered Professional Nurse. During the school year, the health offices at the elementary schools are open from 8:15 AM to 3:15 PM. The Middle and High School Health Offices are open from 8:00-3:00 PM. During the summer vacation, the health offices are closed. Any questions about the information below, please contact your school nurse at (914) 967-6100. 

Medication Administration:

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.

Immunizations:

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
    
    

Physical Exams:

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.

Health Screening:

Important COVID Information:

We recently received COVID-related health guidance from the New York State Department of Health reflecting new information from the CDC. The only guidance the State DOH is currently mandating relates to those persons who are COVID-positive. These individuals must still isolate for five days and wear a mask until day 10 after a positive test/appearance of symptoms. Below, please find key health-related and other information:

Key Points

• No daily health screening is required, and no weekly health reminders will be sent.
• No surveillance testing will be conducted, but COVID test kits will continue to be available at all schools and RCSD central offices at 555 Theodore Fremd Avenue.
• No cohorting or social distancing is necessary.
• Face masks are not required for students or staff but are recommended after returning from quarantine after testing COVID-positive.
• COVID-positive individuals are required to isolate for five days after a positive test or appearance of symptoms, whichever came first, and wear a mask for an additional five days.
• Students who are ill or isolating will be marked as absent and will have access to class and course materials via Google docs and given the opportunity to make up missed work upon return to school.
• The Department of Health recommends that COVID-positive individuals should end isolation after a minimum of five days when they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and their symptoms are improving. They should continue to wear a mask through day 10 after a positive test/appearance of symptoms. 
• The Department of Health recommends that persons exposed to a COVID-positive individual should wear a mask for 10 days, and get tested at least five days after exposure or sooner if symptoms develop.
• Should your child exhibit symptoms, please keep your child home from school and contact the school nurse.

Important Flu Information:

The Department of Health recommends everyone over the age of 6 months old be vaccinated against influenza. Flu vaccines are widely available. For more information, click on the attached link "The Flu: A Guide for Parents."

Lice:

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.

Peanut/Tree Nut/Sesame Awareness:

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.

School Accidents:

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.

Hand Sanitizer Use:

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.

Sun Screen:

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.