Health Office

The Health Office at Holy Angels is staffed by two full-time nurses who share the position. We are here to provide the students with First Aid, health monitoring, NYS screenings, school physicals, and medication administration, when necessary. We also teach the students how to acquire healthy habits and make good nutritional choices. We wear many hats but first and foremost is to keep your child safe and secure while in our care. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at any time.  We are in the office from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. 
 
Parents are also welcome to email healthoffice@holyangelsregional.org for absences or any questions or concerns to Mrs. Sweeney and Mrs. Hannigan.

Please Note: There has been a change in NYS  Law regarding religious exemptions for immunizations of children. As of June 13, 2019, there is no longer a religious exemption to the requirement that children be vaccinated against measles and other diseases attending public, private, and/or parochial schools for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Please read the attachments for further clarification from NYS.  

The nurses at Holy Angels Regional School support your student’s academic success by promoting health in the school setting. One way that we provide care for your students is by performing the health screenings as mandated by Laws of the State of New York.

During the school year, the following screenings will be required or completed at school. The school physical may be done by your child’s private physician or at no cost by the school physician. The scoliosis screening is also done at this time.

Vision:

• Distance acuity for all newly entering students and students in PreK, Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, 3 and 7.
• Near vision acuity and color perception screening for all newly entering students, except PreK and Kindergarten. Screening for this is done in 1^st grade.

Hearing:

• Hearing screening for all newly entering students and students in PreK, Kindergarten, Grades 1, 3, 5 and 7.

Scoliosis

• Scoliosis (spinal curvature) screening for all students in Grades 5-8

Health Appraisals

• A physical examination including blood pressure, scoliosis screening, Body Mass Index and Weight Status Category Information is required for all newly entering students and students in PreK, Kindergarten, Grades 2, 4 and 7.
• Height and weight is done yearly on every student in the health office.

Dental Certificates

• A dental certificate is requested for all newly entering students and students in PreK, Kindergarten, Grades 2, 4 and 7.

A form letter will be sent home if there are any findings on the screening done at school that would cause concern or need for medical follow-up. Please call the School’s Health Office if you have any questions or concerns.

Please note the following New York State regulations regarding the dispensing of medication to school children. This procedure must be followed. There will be no exceptions.

1. The nurse must have on file a written and signed request from the physician in which he/she indicates the frequency and dosage of prescribed medication.
2. The nurse must have on file a written request from the parent to administer the medication as specified by the family physician.
3. The medication must be delivered to the school nurse by the parent or authorized adult.
4. No medication should be sent to the school nurse by the child. The temptation to“share” a single dose or multiple doses is a real danger. Every year there are a number of cases of severe drug reaction reported as a result of this hazard.

Over-the-counter medications require a written and signed request form from the physician and parent and must be in the original manufacturer's container/package with the student’s name affixed to the container.

Doctor/Dental note policies

1. If students have been absent from school for 5 or more consecutive days.
2. Any operations, hospitalizations, special treatments or procedures.
3. Any contagious diseases (like conjunctivitis-pinkeye or strept) need the diagnosis, treatment and release date to return to school.
4. Any broken bones, sprains, etc. need diagnosis and release date for gym, sports and school recess.
5. Any medical problems developed during the school year for your child’s health record including eye glasses.

The note is necessary so we can assess your child’s needs while in school. We need information as to the activity level recommended for the specific injury sustained or treatment given. If the doctor releases your child from gym, sports, and there is no return to activity date, the only way he/she can resume gym/recess or sports is by another follow-up note from the doctor. Not participating in gym/sports also means NO recess. This is a school district policy. No exceptions will be made. 

Fever/Vomiting Policies

If a student is ill or sent home with a fever, he/she must be free from fever (below 100◦) for 24 hours before returning to school. If they are sent home due to vomiting, they also need 24 hours before returning to school. No exceptions will be made. 

Please make contingency plans.

Please be aware that if your child comes to school with any of the following listed items WITHOUT A DOCTOR/DENTIST NOTE, he or she will not be allowed to participate in gym/sports or go outside for recess until one is received. Until then, we will use our judgment and restrict their activity for up to 3 days as per school district policy or until a note is received.

• Stitches/sutures splints
• Staples crutches
• Cast – air or plaster braces of any kind
• Ace-type bandages slings
• Heavy bandaging of any kind eye patches

Remember we are responsible for the safety and physical well-being of the students while they are in school. Parental cooperation with this policy is essential to enable us to do our job in caring for your children. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call. 

Student Absences

If your child is absent from school for any reason, school policy dictates you notify the nurses office. If you are planning a long term absence (Ex: vacation or pre-planned event), you must advise the nurses office in advance. Failure to notify the nurse’s office will result in a daily phone call regarding your child’s attendance.

If your child is in grades 6-8^th, they are eligible to play sports at Holy Angels. The student must submit a current physical for the school year. It must be accompanied by the Athletic Health History form filled out and signed by the parent/guardian.

If you are unable to get your child’s physical done by your physician, the school can provide a sports physical at no cost to you in school performed by the district school physician. In order to do this, the Health Office must be advised of the request to have a school physical. The parent is still responsible for completing the Health History which your child needs to get from the Health Office.

Students will be eligible to play only when all the documentation are completed, handed into the Health Office, and reviewed by the Patchogue-Medford School District physician as per Patchogue-Medford School District’s sports policy. Additionally, when students change sports from season to season ( i.e. Cross Country to Volleyball)  the Medical Update form must be completed by the parent/guardian and signed by both the parent/guardian and the student. This completed form must be handed into the Health Office and is the only requirement to qualify and participate in the next sport.

There are NO exceptions to these procedures.

All required forms are readily available in the Health Office. Your child is responsible to pick up the forms from our Health Office.