Health Office

List of 10 items.

• When should my son stay home from school with the Flu?

  What you need to know about the flu
  
  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after your cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. • Try to avoid close contact with sick people. • If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way. If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should contact your health care provider. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have recently traveled. Click here for more information

• Allergies & Special Health Conditions

  if a medical or behavioral condition exists such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, seizures, anxiety or depression, please notify the health office. Allergy: It is imperative that we become aware of a student’s history of allergic reactions. An Allergy Action Plan* is required if your son is in need of medication to counteract a reaction (ex. Benadryl, Epi-Pen). Asthma: If your son is being treated for asthma, it is necessary to have a medication permission form* on file every year. Your son may self-carry his inhaler only after meeting with the school nurse and providing written permission of the physician.

• Medications, Cough Drops, etc.

  NYS Law has clear requirements for medication use at school. Students are NEVER allowed to take any prescription or over-the-counter medication at school without a written order* from a physician and a parent/guardian. If your son is in need of medication at school, the medication must be in its original container & brought into the school health office by an adult.

• Emergency Contact

  If your child becomes ill or injured at school, you will be contacted. Please advise us of any changes in your phone number, at home, place of employment, cellular phone as well as the phone number of a relative or friend that has transportation to come for your son.

• Annual Health Screening

  each year your son will have an assessment of vision, hearing, height, weight and Body Mass Index in the school health office. You will be notified if the screening results pose a health concern.

• Physical Exams

  New Students: All students entering St. Francis High School are required to have a current physical exam performed by their private health care provider before the first day of school. Documentation must be on the St. Francis Health Appraisal Form*.

  
  11th Graders & Athletes: NYS requires all students entering the 10th grade and athletes to have an updated physical exam. Because your son’s health care provider knows him well - it is advised to have the physical done at that facility. Documentation must be completed on the St. Francis Health Appraisal Form*.
  

  • 11th graders who fail to submit an updated physical within the 1st month of school will have a physical by the school nurse practitioner or school physician.
  • Athletes in need of an updated physical may choose to schedule an appointment with the school physician/nurse practitioner during sports registration.

• Illness

  In the interest of keeping a healthy school environment, please keep your son home for the following reasons:
  

  • Vomited during the night or before school
  • Fever of 100 or higher. (Return to school when fever free for 24 hrs.)
  • Sore throat with white spots or accompanied by headache and/or fever
  • Rash that cannot be identified
  • Strep throat, Conjunctivitis, Pink Eye, Impetigo, other contagious conditions. A medical note must state your son is receiving treatment for 24 hours before returning to school.

• Injury

  Any injury, regardless if associated with sport participation, must be reported to the school nurse. If your son is evaluated by the emergency room staff or private health care provider, written documentation outlining diagnosis, treatment, and restrictions is required. Verbal reporting is not acceptable. All medical notes must be submitted to the health office upon return to school. The school nurse will communicate findings with the physical education teachers and coaches.

• Health Education

  The goal of the health office is to assist students in achieving optimal levels of wellness through education of self-care management. Various health and wellness topics are highlighted in the newsletter and bulletin board throughout the year. Numerous education resources related to teen health, growth and development are available to you. Do not hesitate to contact the health office if you are in need of information.

• Athlete Injury* or Prolonged Illness

  • Any injury, regardless if associated with sport participation, must be reported to the school nurse.
  • Any illness that exceeds 3 days must be reported to the school nurse.
  • If an urgent care or private health care provider treats the athlete, written documentation outlining diagnosis, treatment, restrictions and return to play is required. Verbal approval is not acceptable.
  • All written documentation related to the injury/illness must be submitted to the health office. Coaches will not accept any health related documentation.

  
  All athletes seeking return to play after an injury or prolonged illness are evaluated in the school health office. The school nurse will confer with the school physician/ nurse practitioner if the athlete’s health status is in question. The school nurse gives written clearance for return to play to the athlete. The athlete is responsible to forward the written clearance to the coach.
  
  *CONCUSSION St Francis High School uses the most current guidelines and ImPACT testing in determining if and when a student may return to physical activity following a concussion. The ImPACT Program is a computer-based test that measures an athlete’s memory, reaction time and concentration. ImPACT stands for Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing. A baseline test is taken prior to the start of the athlete’s contact sport season. If the athlete suffers a concussion, he is re-tested on ImPACT to reassess his level of cognitive function prior to his full return to play.