Health Office

 

*HEALTH OFFICE UPDATES*

 

*NYS and Monroe County guidelines now allow for at home COVID tests to be used for return to school.  If you child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, they should stay home from school and a COVID test is required:    Fever, chills • Shortness of breath • Sore throat • Loss of taste or smell • Headache • Loss of appetite • Cough • Nasal congestion • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches.  (Stomachache will be decided on a case to case basis depending on quality, severity, and duration).  To submit an at home COVID test, please label the test with your child’s name and date test was given.  You can then send the picture directly to the school nurse at cbarbera@hilton.k12.ny.us

*If you need a home test, please contact the school nurse at 392-1000 ext. 6155, and a test kit can be sent home with your child or will be available for pick up at security per your request*

*If your child is exhibiting symptoms, and you do not want to test them, then they must remain out of school for 5 days from onset of symptoms.  The first day symptoms start is day zero.

*The district still offers free rapid PCR testing for students that have COVID symptoms.  Testing is done from 7:30 am – 9:20 am M, W, F at QUEST Elementary.  An appointment is necessary and can be made using this link: https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24143402&appointmentType=28359299  You will need to leave the building for one hour from testing time.  If you do not receive a call, your child may come to school if they are fever free and symptoms are gone or improving.  You will only receive a call if your child has tested positive.  If your child tests positive, the school nurse will contact you to explain to explain the process for return to school. 

*Masks are no longer required.  However, if your child tests positive for COVID, then a mask is required for days 6-10 after completing the 5-day quarantine.  This is a requirement from NYS and Monroe County.

*Exposed individuals, regardless of vaccination status, may remain in school and should wear a well-fitting mask and undergo recommended testing and may participate in school-based extracurricular activities. These individuals also may continue to ride the school bus and attend school, administered childcare programs and programs licensed or permitted by OCFS to care for school age children. (whether on-site at the school or off-site at a different location and whether they include students from a single or multiple schools). 

 

*Contact tracing has NOT been resumed by Monroe County.  If your child tests positive for COVID, it is your responsibility to notify any close contact.

 

**Even if your child tests negative for COVID, they should still not attend school if they do not feel well.  A negative COVID test does not exclude them from being sent home if they visit the nurse not feeling well**

 

*IMPORTANT INFO FOR UPK, 5^th and 6^th GRADERS*

 

UPK:  Incoming kindergartners must receive their kindergarten immunizations before the 1^st day of school.  Specific number of doses are required, please reach out to your child’s pediatrician for further information and to be sure that your child has met the requirements to attend school in the Fall.  Your child can no longer attend school after Tuesday, September 20, 2022 without proof of all required immunizations.

 

5^th grade:  All students entering 6^th grade for the 2022-2023 school year will need a Tdap vaccine.  This is REQUIRED by New York State Law Section 2164 in order to attend school. Please submit proof of immunization to the school nurse at cbarbera@hilton.k12.ny.us or fax to 392-1065 BEFORE the start of the school year.  Your child can no longer attend school after Tuesday, September 20, 2022 without proof of all required immunizations.  Transportation will be discontinued, and all student accounts and devices will be locked until proof of vaccination is received. You may contact your pediatrician to schedule a Nurse visit to receive the immunization.  Immunizations are not able to be given by the school nurse.

6^th grade:  All students entering 7^th grade for the 2022-2023 school year will need a Meningitis vaccine.  This is required by the NYS education law.  Proof of this vaccine must be sent to the Merton Williams health office over the summer, before the start of the 2022-2023 school year. ( If they receive this before the end of this school year, you can send to the QUEST nurse at cbarbera@hilton.k12.ny.us )    Your child can no longer attend school after Tuesday, September 20, 2022 without proof of all required immunizations.  Transportation will be discontinued, and all student accounts and devices will be locked until proof of vaccination is received. Please note that the NYS education law also requires a Health Appraisal for all students entering 7^th grade. 

 

*HEALTH APPRAISALS*

 

*Education Law requires all New York State (NYS) public school

students to have a health exam when they are a new student in a school district and when they enter Pre-K or Kindergarten, and grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. 

 

Beginning on 1/31/21, schools cannot accept the health exam if it is not on the required form or the required health record equivalent.  This exam must be completed and signed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.

 

*Please send an updated copy of your child’s health appraisal to the school nurse at cbarbera@hilton.k12.ny.us or fax 392-1065 as soon as you receive it.  Health appraisals are good for one year from date of completion.  Contact the school nurse directly at 392-1000 ext. 6155 for any questions.

 

*OTHER NOTES*

 

*With warmer weather coming and snow melting, the ground is very muddy.  It would be helpful if students brought extra clothes to change into in the event they fall and get muddy/wet. The health office has limited clothing and it is mostly small sizes for younger student who have accidents.  Students are encouraged to bring extra clothes to leave in their locker. **We will happily accept any clothing donations**

 

*Please make sure your child has proper footwear for outdoor and playground activities.  Students should wear closed toe shoes, as flip flops, sandals, and crocs do not provide adequate protection when outside.