Access nurse and health information
Nurse's Office Phone Numbers
Main Number: 845-758-2241
Mill Road K-2 Nurse's Office, ext.47000
Mill Road 3-5 Nurse's Office, ext. 37000
Linden Avenue Middle School Nurse's Office, ext. 27000
Red Hook High School Nurse's Office, ext. 17000
Body Mass Index Survey - the form letter to opt out of having your child's body mass index reported to the New York State Department of Health is located here.
General Information
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The Red Hook School District nurses would like to take this opportunity to explain the role of school health services and to ask your help in our work with your children.
Special Health Needs
If your child has any special health needs or issues, it is essential that you communicate this information to your child's school nurse. Health information about your child is kept confidential and can be very important to a successful learning experience in school. Examples of health information important for your school nurse to know are:
1. Allergies - food, insect bites, latex, other substances
Appropriate teachers, aides, and cafeteria staff will be notified of life threatening allergies.
2. Vision or hearing difficulties
3. Need for medication during the school day
4. Medication taken at home on a daily basis
5. Need for special aides such as crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, either on a temporary or permanent basis
Medication in School
Every effort should be made to administer medication at home as it does represent a disruption in the student's day to come to the nurse's office for medication dosing. However, if your physician feels that medication is necessary during the school day, either daily or on an as-needed basis, the following procedure MUST be followed BEFORE any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, can be administered to your child while in school.
1. The parent/legal guardian must obtain a written physician's order for the medication. The order must state the student's full name, name of medication, dosage and route information, frequency and time of administration, date order was written, prescriber's name, title, signature, and phone number. If the medication is to be used as needed, the conditions under which the medication should be administered should be noted.
2. The parent or legal guardian must sign a permission form giving the school the authority to administer the medication.
3. The medication and all forms MUST be brought to the school nurse by an adult. MEDICATION SHOULD NEVER BE SENT TO SCHOOL WITH THE STUDENT. Medication will not be accepted by the main office staff. It must be brought directly to the school nurse.
4. The medication must be in a pharmacy labeled container, or if the medication is over-the-counter, in the original, unopened container.
No medication will be accepted by the school nurse unless all of the above procedures are followed.
Please note that students are at no time allowed to carry medication of any kind on their person or to take medication without official written documentation from physician and parent/guardian. Students are not allowed to take medication without supervision unless special arrangements are made with the school nurse. Students are permitted to self-carry and self-administer metered dose inhalers with the written permission of their physician, parent/guardian, and submission of written permission to the school nurse. The school nurse will also assess the student to verify his or her ability to self-carry and self-administer.
Emergency Phone Numbers
The importance of the school having current emergency contact phone numbers cannot be be overlooked. Many parents/guardians are away from home during the day and it is essential for the protection of your child that the school is able to reach someone if your child is ill or has a medical emergency. Please send back the Emergency Information Contact Form to school within the first few days at the start of the school year. Please notify the main office of your child's school for any changes to your emergency contact information throughout the school year.
Attendance
Written parent/guardian explanation is required by state law for ALL absences. If a written note is not received, the absence will be marked illegal. If you child will be absent, please notify the following:
1. At Red Hook High School, call the Main Office
2. At Linden Avenue Middle School, call the Guidance Office
3. At Mill Road, call the Nurse's Office
A student should be kept home from school if:
1. A fever (100 degrees or higher) is present or has been in the past 24 hours.*
2. The child has a cold with heavy nasal discharge and/or persistent cough.
3. The child has vomited and/or had diarrhea before school or within the past 24 hours.
4. The child has an unidentified rash.
5. The child is generally not feeling well.
*Please note: If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, he or she must remain home until fever free, without the use of medication, for 24 hours. If your child has experienced vomiting or diarrhea, he/she must remain home until 24 hours after last episode and can tolerate food.
Immunizations
All students must comply with the New York State immunization requirements for school entrance and enrollment.
You must show documented proof, signed by a physician or by the Department of Health, that your child has had all the immunizations required by New York State Public Health and Education Law to attend school. The school nurse must have this proof on file in order for your child to start classes.
Physical Examinations
The New York State Education Law requires an annual physical examination for students upon entrance to school (including Pre-K and Kindergarten) and routinely at grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. Please note: sports physicals do not fulfill the requirements for mandated grade-entrance physical examinations.
Screenings
Under New York State law, the following screenings are performed in school:
Vision: grades Pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 11
Hearing: grades Pre-K, K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 11
Scoliosis: Girls grades 5 and 7
Boys grade 9
Parent/Guardians will be notified by mail if any abnormal results are detected. We are grateful for your cooperation and look forward to working with you to make your child's school year a healthy and positive experience. If you have any questions, please call us at 845-758-2241 using our extensions listed below.
Sincerely,
Gerianne Carey, RN - Red Hook High School, ext. 17000
Email: Please see our staff directory
Leanne Kelly, RN - Linden Avenue Middle School, ext. 27000
Email: Please see our staff directory
Cara Jackson, RN - Mill Road Intermediate School, grades 3 - 5, ext. 37000
Email: Please see our staff directory
Holly Grant, RN - Mill Road Primary School, grades K - 2, ext. 47000
Email: Please see our staff directory
Peg Lewis, RN - RHCSD, ext. 22580
Email: Please see our staff directory