Health Office

 2023/2024 Health Welcome Letter

Dear Parent:                                                                              

We would like to take this opportunity to acquaint you with our school's Health Policies and Procedures.

Physical Appraisal

Prior to entrance, all new students must submit a health appraisal, which may be dated anytime within the 12 months prior to the child’s start date.  Thereafter, health appraisals are required yearly.

HIPPA

A HIPPA form requesting parental permission for authorization for use or disclosure of protected health information is included with the physical appraisal form.  This form allows for coordinated care and communication between your health care provider and the school nurse.

Immunizations

All schools in the state of New York are required to adhere to state laws regarding immunizations.  The goal is to have all students adequately immunized unless they have been exempted for medical reasons. Requirements are based on age and grade. 

Dental Exam

It is strongly recommended that children receive a dental exam at least once a year.  Therefore, we request a yearly dental certificate.

Medication

Our Medication Policy is based on New York State Law.  Only those medications which are necessary to maintain the student in school and which must be given during school hours should be administered.  Such medication may only be given by school nursing personnel.  Physician and parental authorization is necessary to administer medication at school and orders must be renewed annually or when there is a change in medication or dosage.  This refers to all medication including nonprescription over-the-counter medication.  The parent must assume responsibility to have the medication delivered directly to the health office in a properly labeled original container.  Over-the-counter medication must be in the original manufacturer’s package with the student’s name affixed to the

Medications in the controlled substance category must be dispensed in blister packaging.  If your pharmacy is not able to meet these requests please speak with your school nurse who can suggest a pharmacy that is able to deliver medication right to our school building in blister packaging.

No medication should be brought into school without knowledge of the health office.

The need for communication between parents and appropriate Tiegerman staff is a necessary component of IDEA. Many of our children are placed on various medications by neurologists and psychiatrists. When your child's medications or medication schedules are changed it may impact his/her behavior that results in classroom disruptions and may also impact his/her emotional well-being, and learning style. Tiegerman has established the following policy to benefit all children:

•      Psychotropic medications are often used for treatment of neurological and psychiatric illnesses. It is our recommendation that students using psychotropic medications be under the care of a psychiatrist or neurologist.
•     Communication between your health care provider and Tiegerman's nurse and/or physician is integral to managing the child within the school and, therefore, it is imperative that parents sign appropriate release forms for this communication to take place.
•     Parents should notify Tiegerman as soon as a psychotropic medication is prescribed and/or dosage changes.

Nut Allergy Policy

Based on the needs of our student population, Tiegerman requests that parents not send in any nut/peanut products.  However, we will continue strict supervision of our nut/peanut allergic population. 

•     Staff are advised of which children are allergic/and their specific symptoms, if known.
•     Allergic children can only eat what is sent in from home. No sharing of food. 
•     All snacks sent in by parents for classroom celebrations must come from the com list, which is posted on our website.
•     In addition, all snacks provided by TIEGERMAN at school sponsored activities will also come from this list.
•     Lastly, we are requesting that parents of the students with the nut/peanut allergy please send in their own food/snacks for both classroom parties and school wide celebrations. You will be notified by your child’s teacher when such parties/celebrations will take place. 

Attendance

If you know that your child is going to be absent, you must notify the health office, preferably by 8:00 AM, and state the reason for the absence. We require a written note when the child returns and a doctor's note for an absence of 5 or more consecutive days.  If your child exhibits any symptoms indicating an illness, please do not send your child to school. Children will not be readmitted into school unless they are fever free for 24 hours.   Also, please be aware that all children who have had any contagious illness will not be readmitted to school without a doctor's note stating that they are under treatment and no longer contagious.

If your child has sustained an injury, has visited the emergency room, is having in hospital testing or is scheduled for surgery, we must be notified. A doctor's note indicating medical clearance to resume full school activity, including gym, recess, OT and PT is required upon returning to school. If your child has any physical condition limiting his/her ability to participate fully in all activities, we must be notified.

Each child has specific needs and we want to address each of them. Please complete and sign the Allergy/Medication Form found in your packet. Notify us if your child has allergies, asthma, seizures or other medical problems that we should be aware of. This will enable us to give your child the best possible attention. Also, if your child has had a neurological, psychological, ENT consult or any other evaluations, please have those reports forwarded to the health office.

Thank you for your cooperation. We are looking forward to ensuring the health and safety of your child.  Please feel free to call us if you have any questions or issues you would like to discuss.

Sincerely,

The School Health Office