Enrollment Requirements and Health Services
The goal of Ithaca City School Health Services is to keep students healthy and in an optimal condition for learning, growing, and developing. A school nurse is on staff and provides health services to students in each elementary school, middle school, and the high school in the ICSD. The school nurses are there to assure the health and safety and promote the well-being of all children in school. The school health services program is directed by the head nurse in consultation with the school physician.Jump to:
Health Care CommunicationKeeping students healthy and safe requires good communication between school nurses and students, their guardians, teachers, other school staff and health care providers in the community. For that reason, we ask you to provide the following:
All encounters with school nurses are documented in a student’s confidential electronic medical record. School nurses communicate about visits with parents and guardians when medical follow up is needed (even if the child remains at school) or other matters that they feel guardians should be aware of. New York State Education Law mandates compliance by students and their guardians with regulations intended to keep students safe and in optimal condition for learning. The school nurses will oversee the implementation of the state mandates. |
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ImmunizationsNew York State Public Health Law, Section 2164, requires all school children to be adequately immunized. Immunization records are due when the child starts school. They must be in the nurse’s office within 14 days of school entry for a child living in New York State or within 30 days of entry for a child coming from outside New York State. Immunizations are usually obtained through a child’s healthcare provider as part of routine health care. If that is not possible, the Tompkins County Health Department (607-274-6616) will provide immunizations on a sliding fee scale.For more information, view the NYS Immunization Requirements or our Immunizations FAQs. Please check with your child’s physician or school nurse if you have any questions. |
Physical ExaminationsStudents entering the school district for the first time (new entrants) and students in pre-K, kindergarten, and grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 are mandated to have a physical examination performed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner. Students wanting to participate in interscholastic sports are required to have a history and physical examination within one year of the start of the sport season. Students requesting working papers must present a copy of a New York State certificate of physical examination done within one year of the date the working papers are issued. It is important for children to have a medical home and health care provider. A student’s mandated physical examination should be performed by their health care provider.Health care insurance is available to nearly all children in New York State. If your child does not have health insurance, the school nurses will help you find health care resources. |
Dental CertificateNew York State Education Law requests dental certificates for students in pre-K, kindergarten, and grades 2, 4, 7, and 10. |
Mandated ScreeningsSome screenings mandated by New York State Education Law include:
Screenings are conducted by the school nurse if results are not provided to the school on the student's health certificate (the physical exam completed by a private healthcare provider). |
Medications Administered in SchoolThe Ithaca City School District has a medication administration policy (available on BoardDocs). Medications should be administered by parents/guardians outside of school hours whenever possible. The school nurse will administer medications when it is not feasible for parents/guardians to administer medication to a student at home. In the interest of safety, we require parents/guardians to do the following:
New medication orders and permission must be signed annually and when medication doses change. |
Special Health ConcernsSchool nurses provide care for children with special needs such as asthma, diabetes, allergies, and emotional health concerns. If a child needs special health care services, the nurse in the child’s school will be glad to discuss and arrange the needed services with the child and parent or guardian. |
Physical EducationPhysical education is a required class in all grades. If a student is unable to participate in physical education or has a medical condition for which they need modification of the required physical education, a parent or guardian must provide a written statement from the student’s health care provider. If a student has been restricted from participation in physical education by a health care provider, when the student is ready to return, the student must bring a written statement from the health care provider stating the student is cleared and can participate. |
