Nurse: Cheryl Kelly
P: (845) 624-3474, option 2
Absence/Late:
Please contact the nurse's office to report any absence or lateness. Please also follow up your call regarding an absence with a note to be sent to your child's teacher upon return to school. If you know of your child's absence or vacation ahead of time, please email or copy the school nurse on any emails sent to teachers regarding this.
An absent note must accompany your child on the return to school, even if you used the call-in system. Please make every effort to get your child to school on time. It is a good habit to instill when they are young. It is disruptive to other students and the teacher to have a child arrive late when class has already begun, and stressful for the student as they miss those first important instructions for the day.
Physical and Dental Exam Requirement:
As of Spring 2006, NYS Education Law requires that all new students and those entering kindergarten, Grade 2 and 4 have a physical and dental exam. Please be on the lookout for these forms in the report card envelopes in June, and return them in September.
General Health Information
Hand Washing:
This remains the number one defense against germs. Remind children to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and then to wash their hands – especially after going to the bathroom and before eating. Repeat this to them on a daily basis to make sure it becomes a lifetime habit.
Healthy Snacks:
One of the school nurse's goals at West Nyack Elementary School is to promote healthy eating habits for our growing students. Please remember: no candy, cookies, cupcakes, chips, etc. for morning snacks. Birthday celebration treats will be given out after lunch. Some suggestions for a healthy snack are: apples, bananas, carrots, celery, crackers, granola bars, popcorn, pretzels, raisins or yogurt. Please limit to one snack and one drink.
Lice:
These seem to multiply in the summer and fall months due to sleepovers at friends and camp. Please check your child’s head frequently, starting at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. If you treat your child for head lice, please notify the school nurse who will then check their classmates to help limit the spread.
Other:
Asthma and allergy-exposure to smoking and allergens (i.e. house pets, dusty environments and cockroaches) increase the probability that a child will develop asthma. Remember: the greater the exposure level, the greater the risk!
Peanut Allergy:
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in peanut allergies here at West Nyack. As a courtesy to their fellow classmate(s), please do not send any type of peanut snack in with your child. Peanut allergies can be life threatening in some children, even by just touching any peanut residue. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Rash:
If your child has a rash that is itchy or oozing, keep them home and seek the advice of your physician.
Strep Throat:
If a throat culture is pending for your child, please do not send them to school until the final results are determined. A rapid test can be negative even when a strep infection does exist. Students must be home for 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotic medication before returning to school.
Temperature:
If your child has an elevated temperature (over 100 degrees) in the evening or morning before school and exhibits symptoms of a cold, cough or sore throat, keep them home and seek the advice of your physician. A child should remain at home for 24 hrs after an elevated temperature returns to normal.
Ticks:
Check your child from head to toe after playing outside. The tick should be removed as soon as possible. Use fine-point tweezers making sure to not squeeze the body. It should be grasped by the mouthparts that enter the skin. Tug gently and repeatedly until it releases. Do not apply heat or Vaseline. Instead, wipe the area clean with antiseptic after removal. Be patient: it takes time!
