Middle/High School Health Office
Elementary School Health Office
Catherine Conroy |
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MS/HS Registered Nurse |
Rhonda Goeke |
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LPN |
Nicole Montesano |
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ES Registered Nurse |
Michelle Moody |
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LPN |
MS/HS Health Office Fax: (585) 226-1736 |
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ES Health Office Fax: (585) 226-1723 |
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Be sure to ask your provider when it is safe for your child to return to school, not only for your child's health, but for the health of the other members of the school.
Your child must be symptom free (without medication) for 24 hours before returning to school.
Tips to follow to help minimize and prevent the spread of colds and viruses:
Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
Avoid touching of eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially is someone is sick
Being familiar and aware of your child's signs and symptoms will not only improve your child's health, but will protect others from becoming infected, too.
Influenza:
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Fever or feeling feverish/chills
Cough and/or sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)
Vomiting or diarrhea
CDC: Influenza (Flu)
NYSDOH: The Flu - What you Should Know
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye):
People often call conjunctivitis “pink eye” because it can cause the white of the eye to take on a pink or red color. The most common causes of pink eye are viruses, bacteria, and allergens.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Pink or red color in the white of the eye(s)
Swelling of the eyes and/or eyelids
Increased tear production
Itching, irritation, and/or burning
Discharge (pus or mucus)
Crusting of eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning
Enterovirus D68:
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a virus that can cause an infection similar to the common cold and most commonly affects children.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Fever
Runny nose and/or sneezing
Cough
Body and muscle aches
Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Mayo Clinic: EV-D68
CDC: Enterovirus D68
Measles:
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
Cough and/or running nose
Red, watery eyes
Tiny white spots inside the mouth
Small, red bumps or spots appearing on the face and hairline, spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
CDC: Measles
CDC: Vaccine for Measles
Mayo Clinic: Measles
The Difference in Symptoms: A Cold vs. The Flu
Symptoms | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|
Fever | Occassionally | Ususally High (100-102 degrees), |
Headache | Occassionally | Common |
General Aches/Pains | Slight | Usual; Often Severe |
Fatigue & Weakness | Mild | Extreme; Can Last up to 2-3 Weeks |
Extreme Exhaustion | Never | Early and Prominent |
Nasal Congestion | Common | Sometimes |
Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes |
Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes |
Chest Discomfort | Mild-Moderate; Hacking Cough | Common; Can Become Severe |
Overall Milder | Can Become Serious |
COVID-19:
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is caused by a the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is very contagious. COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Fever or chills
Cough or sore throat
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache, congestion, or runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Avon CSD COVID-19 Resource Page
CDC: COVID-19
Group A Strep:
Bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep) can cause many different infections; strep throat, impetigo, cellulitis and more. The best way to protect yourself from group A strep infection is to practice good hygiene, like washing your hands often.
CDC: Group A Streptococcal
Strep Throat: Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep). In general, strep throat is a mild infection, but it can be very painful.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Sore throat
Pain when swallowing
Fever
Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches
Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth
Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
CDC: Strep Throat
Impetigo: Impetigo is a mild infection that can occur anywhere on the body. It most often affects exposed skin, such as around the nose and mouth or on the arms or legs.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Red, itchy sores around the face and mouth that break open and leak
Yellow, crusty scabbing around the sores
CDC: Impetigo
Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin.
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Red, swollen, and painful area of skin that is warm and tender to the touch
Skin may look pitted, like the peel of an orange, or blisters may appear
Fever or chills
CDC: Cellulitis
Food allergies are a growing food safety and public health concern that affect an estimated 8% of children in the United States. A food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system sees a certain food as harmful and reacts by causing symptoms - an allergic reaction. Explore the links below for more information on food allergies and reaction prevention:
Non-Food Ideas for Birthday Celebrations:
If you would like an alternative to food treats for your child’s birthday celebration, see the suggestions below. Always check with your child's teacher first to see what he/she finds acceptable for their classroom.
Party Favors (bouncy balls, matchbox cars, erasers, tops, magnifying glasses, notepads, balloons, whistles, bubbles, etc.).
Come read a book to the class.
Buy something for the classroom (books, games, etc.).
Send in the supplies and directions for a craft the kids can do.
Arrange for the kids to play a game instead of eating a snack.
Immunizations should be as complete as possible when school starts. In accordance with Public Health Law #2164, all children entering school must be immunized against polio, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, and diptheria. Proof must be presented at the time of registration that these immunizations are completed or in process of being completed. If booster shots haven’t been given, please let the school nurse know the scheduled date.
NYS Immunization Requirements for School - English & Spanish
Non-Medical Immunization Exemption FAQs, Follow-Up 1 & Follow-Up 2
An adult must drop off the medication. Your child is not allowed to carry the medication to and from school.
A new medication authorization (doctor's orders) with the medication is required at the beginning of each school year.
Parents/Guardians must fill out the Avon Medication Authorization Form and submit it to the school nurse with the medication when it is completed by the parent/guardian and the child's physician.
Medication must be in the original bottle with your child's name on it.
Over the counter medication must be brought in as an unopened bottle.
Make sure the new medication authorization forms are sent to the health office prior to the 1st day of school. This will ensure that your child has the medication they need on the 1st day of school.
Any questions please contact the school nurse.
Applications for work permits can be found at the High School Main Office. To obtain proof of physical (physical fitness certificate), a copy of the student's most recent physical must be on file in the nurse's office. Please contact the school nurse to check on the status of your physical.
If you need proof of physical and you are unable to reach the school nurse, this Physical Fitness Certification can be filled out by your primary physician.
ACL Injuries: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Concussion Management - Avon CSD BOE Policy 7522 & Regulations
HEADS UP:
Impact Applications Inc. - Concussion Management
NYSPHSAA - Concussions: The Invisible Injury
NY State of Health Marketplace - Individuals & Families
Authority Dental: Oral Health America
Students who are able to self-apply sunscreen are allowed to self-carry and use topical sunscreen products approved by the FDA. Students MUST have written permission to do so from their parent/guardian.
Recognize signs and symptoms early
Practice good hygiene
Avoid sharing clothing and personal objects
Contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns
Education Law Article 19 and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education require physical examinations of public school students who are;
entering the district for the first time
in UPK, kindergarten, and in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11
wishing to partcipate in strenuous physical activity, such as interscholastic athletics
requesting an employment certificate
Children should have a physical done every year around their birthday. ALWAYS keep a copy of your child's physicals in a safe place at home. Do not assume your doctors office will fax the school a copy. Please ensure Avon CSD receives a copy of your child's physical. You can confirm a copy has been received by calling the school nurse at (585) 226-2455 ext 1435 (MS/HS) or ext 1123 (ES).
NYSED: School Health Examination Guidelines -
These guidelines include the purpose for health examinations, as well as the components of a health examination.
A law was recently passed that expands health screenings to include the dental health of all students in New York State. Proof of a dental is requested for students entering the district for the first time, in UPK and kindergarten, and students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The exam must be completed no more than one year prior to the current school year. A certificate needs to be handed in once the exam is completed.
Avon CSD Dental Health Certificate
Commissioner’s Regulation §136.3(e)(1)(iii) requires hearing screening to be conducted in school if results of a hearing screening are not provided to the school on the student’s health certificate (the physical exam completed by a private healthcare provider) within six months of admission to the school and in grades Pre-K or Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11, and at any other time deemed necessary. The hearing screening shall include, but is not limited to, pure tone screening.
Commissioner’s Regulation §136.3 (e)(1)(ii) requires a vision screening to be conducted in school if the results of a vision screening are not provided to the school on the student’s health certificate (the physical exam completed by a private health care provider) within six months of a student’s admission to the school and in grades Pre-K or Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11, and at any other time deemed necessary. The vision screening shall include but is not limited to, distance acuity, and near vision, except within six months of admission to the school, the student will also be screened for color perception.
Please Note: School vision screenings are not diagnostic and should not state that a student has a vision deficit, but instead should state that findings indicate a possible issue that requires a more thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider.
We conduct our scoliosis screenings at school (required for girls in grade 5 and 7, and for boys in grade 9) during PE swim unit classes.
Scoliosis is the medical term for sideways curvature of the spine, the cause is unknown. It becomes more apparent during adolescence because of growth spurts. This condition can more often be corrected if found at an early stage. If untreated, the deformity could become unsightly and cause impairment of the body’s range of motion and endurance. In advanced stages, the distortion of the spine can affect the function of other parts of the body, including the heart and lungs. If longstanding, the condition can also cause back pain. There is a tendency for scoliosis to run in families.
If your child appears to have a deviation slightly from the norm you will be contacted and a letter will be sent home. It will be recommended that this problem be noted by your family health care professional. They may just want to keep an eye on it, or they may refer you for x-rays or to an orthopedic surgeon for examination and treatment.
If you child was screened at their most recent physical and it was documented then a screening at school does not need to be conducted.
If you would prefer that your child does not participate in this screening please contact the school nurse and provide written documentation.
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