Health services

Philosophy: 

The registered nurses of the Marcellus Central School District believe a healthy child in a safe and healthy environment is the best learner. Our mission is: 

• to support student success by helping them reach their maximum health potential in the school setting with: 
  • timely and accurate nursing assessment for students and staff.
  • intervention that is appropriate.
  • evaluation and referral for our students and colleagues.
• to contribute to a healthy school environment for all through:
  • infection control.
  • accident prevention.
  • health promotion/education.
  • collaboration with school and community resources. 

District: Amy Steigerwald, asteigerwald@marcellusschools.org

School Nurses:

K.C. Heffernan Elementary School
Melissa Zacholl
mzacholl@marcellusschools.org
Phone: (315) 673-6105
Fax: (315) 673-0227

Driver Middle School
Mary Hughes
mhughes@marcellusschools.org
Phone: (315) 673-6205
Fax: (315) 673-0727

Marcellus High School
Amy Steigerwald
asteigerwald@marcellusschools.org
Phone: (315) 673-6305
Fax: (315) 673-6326

When to keep your Child home from School

Many parents ask, "When is my child sick enough to stay home from school?"

Sometimes this is not an easy question to answer!  We hope that these tips can help.

• Fever in the past 24 hours that is greater than 100 degrees orally without medication

• Vomiting or Diarrhea in the past 24 hours

• Sore Throat or Strep Throat (must be taking antibiotics for 24 hours to return to school)

• Bad cold with a very runny nose or bad cough that is disruptive to sleep and other students

• Red, runny eyes or large amounts of nasal discharge especially if accompanied by facial pain or headache

• Severe ear pain or drainage from the ear

• Any condition that is serious or can be contagious to other students or staff

• Unidentified rash that could be contagious to others

• Head lice- until your child has been treated according to your school nurse's instructions

 Physical Exam Requirements

New York State Law requires health exams (physicals) for students who:

• Enter the school district for the first time

• Are in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11

• Participate in interscholastic sports in grades 7-12  

Health exams are acceptable if administered no more than 12 months prior to the beginning of the school year in which the examination is required.

It is recommended that the health exam (physical) be done by the family physician as he/she is the one who knows the child best. Students who have not returned a health exam to the school nurse will be scheduled with the school physician in late fall. 

NYS Health Physical Examination Form

Dental Certificates

New York State Education Law 903, Chapter 281, permits schools to request a dental examination report for all newly enrolled students and for students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.

 “The department shall, in collaboration with the department of  health, compile and maintain a list of dentists to  which  children  who need comprehensive dental examinations may be referred for treatment on a free or reduced cost basis. Such list shall be made available to all public schools  and  be made available to parents or person in parental  relationship upon request.”

https://www.schoolhealthny.com/domain/137

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Each year 50% of public-school districts are notified they have been selected to report student weight status category and health conditions information to the New York State Department of Education electronically.  The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low. New York State Education Law requires that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination. School districts typically get chosen to participate every 2-3 years.

If you do not want your child’s unanimous BMI stat to be included in this report, please contact your school nurse.

Immunization Requirements

New York State Department of Health recently made some changes to immunization requirements.  It is recommended that parents/guardians discuss requirements and questions with their child’s physician to be sure the child is ready for school.

All students must have a record of having received the proper immunizations prior to starting school.

 2022-23 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance

School Health Screenings

Marcellus Central School Nurses provide care for students by performing health screenings mandated by New York State. The following screenings will be completed at school if not done by the child's primary care physician. Parents/guardians will receive a letter with the results during the school year. Contact your child’s  health office with any questions.

Vision

• Distance and near acuity for all newly entering students and students in kindergarten and grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.

• Color perception screening for all newly entering students.

Hearing

• Hearing screening for all newly entering students 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.

Health Concerns

Please keep your school nurse updated on your child's health status, such as surgeries, medications, illness/diseases, new diagnoses or other conditions that might affect your child's school performance.  Please make sure the emergency card is completed, signed and updated as needed.

Medication in School

If it is necessary for a child to take or use medicine (prescription or over-the-counter) during school hours, the following rules apply:

• The parent or guardian must submit a signed request to the school nurse.
• The family physician must also submit a written request, detailing the frequency and dosage of the medication and the purpose for which it is being taken.
• All medicines must be delivered to the nurse by a parent or guardian.
• The medication will be kept in the nurse’s office and will be administered by or under the supervision of the nurse, unless the student has an order from a physician to carry and self-administer medication (i.e., an inhaler).
• The medication must be in the prescription bottle or over-the-counter container.

Concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is sometimes referred to as a mild TBI. Concussions are injuries to the brain that occur as the result of a fall, motor vehicle accident, or any other activity that results in an impact to the head or body.  A concussion is a reaction by the brain to a force transmitted to the head from an impact or blow occurring anywhere on the body. Essentially, a concussion results from the brain moving back and forth or twisting rapidly inside the skull. The symptoms of a concussion result from a temporary change in the brain’s function causing a short-term impairment of brain function. The signs of a concussion may occur immediately or evolve over minutes or days. There is a range of symptoms from a concussion, and students with concussions may display very different signs and symptoms. In most cases, the symptoms of a concussion generally resolve over a brief period ranging from a few days or weeks; however, in some cases, symptoms can last for several weeks or months. In a small number of cases, or in cases of re-injury during the recovery phase, permanent brain injury is possible. Children and adolescents are more susceptible to concussions and take longer than adults to fully recover. 

If a student sustains a concussion at a time other than when engaged in a school-sponsored activity, the district expects the parent or guardian to report the condition to the school nurse, athletic trainer or coach so that the district can support the appropriate management of the student's condition.

The student shall not return to school or activity until authorized by an appropriate health care professional.  The school's Medical Director will make the final decision regarding the student's return to activity which includes physical education class and after school sports.  Any student who continues to have signs and/or symptoms of a concussion upon return to activity must be removed from play and re-evaluated by their health care provider.  

Water Testing

On Sept. 6, 2016, the governor signed into law Chapter 296 of the Laws of 2016. This law requires school districts and BOCES to conduct testing of school potable water sources in occupied buildings and to monitor for lead contamination and remediate where necessary.  This legislation also requires that we notify the general public of the test results and, when applicable, efforts to remedy sources of water containing lead levels greater than or equal to 15 parts per billion.

Results of testing of school potable water sources can be found by clicking on this link.

If you have difficulty accessing this document, please contact Business Administrator Anthony Sonnacchio at asonnacchio@marcellusschools.org, who can provide the document/information in an alternative format.