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7511 – Student Physicals

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7511 – Student Physicals

Health Examination

Each student enrolled in District schools must have a satisfactory health examination conducted by the student's physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner within twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the school year of:

  1. The student's entrance in a District school at any grade level;
  2. Entrance to pre-kindergarten or kindergarten;
  3. Entry into the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades.

Evidence of the health examination must be provided to the school health office on the health examination form required by the New York State Education Department within thirty (30) days after his or her entrance into school and within thirty (30) days after his or her entry into Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. The District may also require an examination and health history of a student when it is determined by the District that it would promote the educational interests of the student.

In addition, the District requires a certificate of physical fitness for:

  1. All athletes prior to their first sport of the school year, then only those who were injured or ill during their first sport before participating in a second sport during the school year;
  2. All students who need work permits; and
  3. All students either suspected of or sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) must receive a written and signed authorization from a licensed physician before returning to athletic activities in school.

Dental Certificate

The dental certificate law became effective on September 1, 2008. This law applies to new entrants and students in PreK, K, Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. In accordance with this law, a notice of request for a dental health certificate shall be distributed at the same time that the parent/person in parental relation is notified of health examination requirements, such certificate to be furnished at the same time the health certificate is required. At this time, students will be permitted to attend school regardless of whether or not they have a dental certificate.

The dental certificate shall be signed by a duly licensed dentist, or a registered dental hygienist, authorized by law to practice in New York State or one who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the assessment was performed, provided that the Commissioner has determined that the jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to New York State. The certificate shall describe the dental health condition of the student upon assessment, which shall not be more than twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the school year in which the assessment is requested, and shall state whether the student is in fit condition of dental health to permit his/her attendance at the public schools.

Requests are not required when the student or parent/person in parental relation objects on the grounds of conflict with their genuine and sincere religious beliefs. Within thirty (30) days following the student's entrance in the school or grade, the certificate, if obtained, shall be filed in the student's cumulative health record.

Examination by School Medical Services Personnel

The Principal or the Principal's designee will send a written notice to the parents of, or person in parental relation to, any student who does not present a health certificate, that if the required health certificate is not furnished within thirty (30) days from the date of such notice, an examination by School Medical Services personnel will be conducted. At least once prior to such examination, the Principal or designee will make phone contact with the parent (guardian) of the child to inform them of the impending health examination to be conducted by medical services personnel.

The Director of School Health Services shall cause such students to be separately and carefully examined and tested to ascertain whether any such student has defective sight or hearing, or any other physical disability which may tend to prevent the student from receiving the full benefit of school work or from receiving the best educational results, or which may require a modification of such work to prevent injury to the student.

As per the School Health Services Manual, all health screenings will be conducted by a gender medical professional and with a known BP like gender staff member present in the examination room. At no time will a closed door examination be conducted without a gender staff member present.

Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if it is ascertained that any students have defective sight or hearing, or a physical disability or other condition, including sickle cell anemia which may require professional attention with regard to health, the Principal or Principal's designee shall notify, in writing, the student's parents or persons in parental relation as to the existence of such disability. If the parents or persons in parental relation are unable or unwilling to provide the necessary relief and treatment for such students, such fact shall be reported by the Principal or Principal's designee to the Director of School Health Services, who then has the duty to provide relief for such students.

Health Screenings

The District will provide, at intervals required by the New York State Center for School Health:

  1. Scoliosis screening
  2. Vision screening
  3. Hearing screening – The results of all required NYSED required health screenings (dental, hearing, vision and scoliosis) shall be recorded on appropriate forms signed by the health professional making the examination, include appropriate recommendations, and be kept on file in the school. The health records of individual students will be kept confidential in accordance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and any other applicable federal and State laws.

Accommodation for Religious Beliefs

No health examinations, health history, examinations for health appraisal, screening examinations for sickle cell anemia and/or other health screenings shall be required where a student or the parent or person in parental relation to such student objects thereto on the grounds that such examinations, health history and/or screenings conflict with their genuine and sincere religious beliefs. A written and signed statement from the student or the student's parent or person in parental relation that such person holds such beliefs shall be submitted to the Principal or Principal's designee, in which case the Principal or Principal's designee may require supporting documents.

Homeless Students

For homeless children, the enrolling school must immediately refer the parent or guardian of the student to the District's homeless liaison, who must assist them in obtaining the necessary medical records.

References

  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
  • 20 USC Section 1232(g)
  • Education Law Sections 901-905, 912 and 3217
  • 8 NYCRR Parts 135 and 136

NOTE: Refer also to Policies:

  • #5690 — Exposure Control Program
  • #5691 — Communicable Diseases
  • #5692 — Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Related Illnesses
  • #7121 — Diagnostic Screening of Students
  • #7131 — Education of Homeless Children and Youth
  • #7511 — Immunization of Students
  • #7522 — Concussion Management