Health Services & Medical Information
The Southern Cayuga Central School District recognizes that good student health is vital to successful learning and realizes its responsibility, along with that of the parents, to protect and foster a safe and healthful environment for the students.
Compulsory Immunization Law
Effective September 1, 2007, students who are entering 6th grade or a comparable age level special education school or program who are 11-years-old or older must receive an immunization containing tetanus toxoids, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap). If a student has received a Td, DT or DTaP vaccination within the last two years, the student’s Tdap vaccination should be deferred until a period of two years has elapsed. Ten-year-old students who are entering 6th grade will not be required to receive a Tdap vaccine and will not be excluded from school, but they must be flagged, tracked and immunized when they turn 11-years-old.
As of July 1, 1980, no child shall be admitted or allowed to attend school in excess of 14 days without appropriate certification of immunization against polio, diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus (DPT), measles, mumps, rubella (MMR). Any child born on or after January 1, 1993 must have the Hepatitis B series. A child may be exempt from immunization requirements if his/her parents or guardian(s) are bona fide members of a recognized religious organization whose teachings are contrary to immunization or if a physician certifies that immunization may be detrimental to the child's health.
Meningococcal Vaccine School Requirement
As of September 1, 2016, all public and private school students entering 7th, 8th and 12th grades in New York State must be fully vaccinated against meningococcal disease. The meningococcal vaccine protects against serious and sometimes deadly diseases such as meningitis (an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (blood infections). That's why the vaccine is sometimes called the meningitis vaccine. The vaccine is administered as a shot. A child needing immunizations may receive them at the Cayuga County Health Department in Auburn; please call 253-1584 for an appointment. A fee is charged for this service. If there are any questions regarding immunization, parents are encouraged to contact the school nurse.
Emergency Information
At the start of each school year, the school will send an emergency contact card home. Parents must complete this form and return it as soon as possible with their child. Parents must insure that the names and numbers they give the school can be reached during an emergency. If a child is injured, or too sick to stay in school, the school will need to be able to reach someone. Please let the school know when there are changes in these items (day care provider, phone number, place of work, etc.) during the school year (September-June). If a child needs emergency medical attention, 911 will be called and the parents, guardians, or caregivers will be located.
Physical Examinations
New York State Education Law and the Southern Cayuga Central School Board require that these following students have a yearly physical:
-- New students entering the district
-- Students in Pre K or K, grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and at any grade level by school administration, in their discretion, to promote the educational interests of the student
-- Students (grades 7-12) participating in interscholastic sports
-- Students who need working papers
If a student health certificate is needed for your child/student for the new/upcoming school year, a letter will be sent home (prior to the start of the new school year). Health certificates are required to be submitted within 30 days of the start of the school year [Education Law §903,8 NYCRR § 136.3 (c) (1)]].
*Tanner developmental staging is only required for 7th and 8th graders who are seeking a waiver to be permitted to participate in high-school-level interscholastic athletics or high school students seeking a waiver to participate in lower-level interscholastic athletics (See NYSED Athletic Placement Process.)*
Please note: If a student of either gender refuses such an examination, parents will be notified and should arrange to have the examination done privately by the student’s health care provider.
You can download the dental and health examination forms here and here.
Administration of Medication to Students
For those students who need prescribed medication or over-the-counter medication during school hours, the following conditions must be met:
-- The medication must be brought to the school nurse by the parent or guardian in the original container. The label must be intact and legible.
-- No medication should ever be sent in with the student (unless cleared by the school nurse).
-- Under no circumstances should a student self-medicate without the consent of the school nurse.
-- The school nurse may administer the medication if the parent submits a written request (forms are kept on file in the nurse's office) accompanied by the physician's statement indicating the: name of person receiving medication, name of medication, time to be given, dosage, route, and duration of treatment.
NYS Commissioner’s guidelines state that, based on the “severity of health care problems, particularly asthmatic or allergic conditions” a student may be permitted “to carry and self-administer her/his own prescribed medication.” This guideline is for students with asthma or with severe bee or food allergies who require inhalers and/or epi-pens. Again, a record of written permission should be on file with the school health office.
*Effective November 11, 1998, a student who has been diagnosed by a physician to have an asthmatic condition may carry and use a prescribed inhaler during the school day. Additionally, a student who has been diagnosed by a physician to have a severe food or bee allergy may carry and use an epi-pen in the event of an emergency during the school day. A record of written permission from the physician and parental consent must be on file in the nurse’s office.
