Lansingburgh Health Services

  • At Lansingburgh Central School District, our healthcare team understands that the health of our students directly impacts their ability to be successful in school. We work hard to ensure that all students are healthy and we are vigilant about attending to any health issues.

    Our District's Team of Healthcare Professionals

    Each Lansingburgh school has a health office staffed by a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN). In addition, the district's medical director Matthew Hickling (PNP) is a nurse practitioner and is available if any serious health concerns or issues arise.

    Clothing: Important Parent Reminders

    Please Dress Your Child Appropriately for the Weather

    All students should dress appropriately for weather conditions. Dress your child appropriately, even if he or she takes a bus to school. There are still times when they may be exposed to cold weather for long periods of time. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to make sure students are dressed warmly, including hats, boots and gloves. Elementary students will play outside for recess unless the weather is very cold, so dress students appropriately for it. Even teenagers who may not want to wear hats and gloves should be encouraged to wear warm clothing on the coldest days.

    District Wellness Policy

    Visit the district's Wellness page here for the full Student Wellness Policy and online wellness resources for students & families. 

    Dental Certificates

    The New York State Education Department requires all students to have a dental exam (as well as a physical exam) as follows:

    • All students enrolling in the district for the first time (including Pre-K, Kindergarten or any other grade level)
    • All students in grades 2, 4, 7 and 10
    • As with the health exams, dental exams performed on or after September 1 of the year before the student enters the district or the mandated grade may be used in any of the mandated grades. Your school nurse must have documentation of the exam on the state-approved dental certificate form or other official documentation from the dental office. The district cannot accept a parent/guardian report of an exam or a handwritten note from the dentist saying the student received an exam.

    Immunizations 

    On June 13, 2019, New York State passed a law stating schools can no longer allow religious exemptions for immunizations required for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. This includes students in public schools (including charter schools), private schools and parochial schools. 

    Minimum Immunization Requirements

    Parents/guardians are required to provide proof that every student admitted to school has all the required immunizations in order to attend school. Immunization requirements for the 2022-2023 School Year are below:

    The following guidelines are applicable regarding immunizations and exclusions:

    • Parents/guardians will be notified by the school nurse of needed immunizations soon after school registration for new students.
    • No immunizations are given at school. Parents/guardians should contact their healthcare provider or the local health department, for information about where their student can receive immunizations.
    • If you believe your students should be exempt from required immunizations, for medical or religious reasons, you must discuss this with the school nurse. State regulations will be followed for all exemption requests. Medical exemptions must be renewed annually.
    • If a student is homeless, the school nurse will work with the student (and family) to get immunizations.

    Parents/guardians are responsible for:

    • Getting their student properly immunized, including boosters.
    • Getting written verification of these from the medical office or clinic that gave them.
    • Providing that written verification to the school's health office as soon as possible, and keep a copy of it at home.

    Rensselaer County Health Department Immunizations

    The Rensselaer County Department of Health provides some children with free immunizations. Parents may call the Rensselaer County Department of Health (518-270-2655) to find out if their student is eligible to receive immunizations there, or if they will need to see their own healthcare provider for these.

    Physical Health Exams for School

    The New York State Education Department requires all students to have a physical health examination as follows:

    • All students enrolling in the district for the first time (including Pre-K, Kindergarten or any other grade level)
    • All students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11
    • Within the past year for students who are trying out for a school sports team (modified, junior varsity or varsity)
    • At least every 3 years for students receiving special education services (students with an Individualized Education Plan)

    The school nurse must have documentation from the healthcare provider of the physical examination. We cannot accept a parent/guardian report of a physical or a written note from a doctor. Your student's pediatrician will likely have the proper health examination form or can print it out below to bring with you to your pediatrician's office.

    Sick Day Guidelines

    When to Keep a Student Home Because of Illness

    Sometimes it can be hard to decide whether to send a student to school when they wake up with early symptoms of an illness or complaints that they do not feel well. There are times when it is best to keep your student home for the day to rest and recuperate or to arrange for an appointment with your healthcare provider. Some of these situations could include:

    • Fever greater than 100° orally, including a fever that requires active control with medication to keep down to normal.
    • Significant cough that makes a student feel uncomfortable or disrupts the class.
    • Sore throat that is severe, accompanied by fever and/or simply feeling ill, that persists longer than 48 hours, or after known exposure to a confirmed case of streptococcal (strep) throat infection.
    • Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth that might be impetigo, or a rash in various stages including boils, sores and bumps that may be chicken pox, OR a significant rash accompanied by other symptoms of illness.
    • Red, runny eyes until cleared as non-contagious by a physician.
    • Large amount of discolored nasal discharge, especially if accompanied by facial pain or headache.
    • Severe ear pain or drainage from the ear - this needs to be evaluated by your healthcare provider.
    • Severe headache, especially if accompanied by fever - this should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.
    • Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours.
    • Any condition that you think may be serious or contagious to others.

    If you know your student is running a fever, do not give them fever-reducing medicine and send them to school. When the medicine wears off, you could get a call from the school nurse to come to pick up your student. If you find a pattern of your student frequently asking to stay home from school and there do not appear to be any obvious physical symptoms, it may be a good idea to contact your student's teacher, the school nurse and your healthcare provider to discuss your concerns.

    Students Who Become Sick or Injured at School

    If the student is experiencing a serious or repeated health issue, parents/guardians will be contacted.

    Emergency and Health History Forms: Please Make Sure They're Always Up-To-Date

    It is very important that parents/guardians keep their school up-to-date on their contact information and important student health information, including health history and current conditions. In cases of serious health issues, the district will notify the emergency contact on file for your student. Please keep your student's school informed and up-to-date with current phone numbers for emergency contacts. 

    What Happens When a Student Becomes Ill or Injured at School?

    In most instances, first aid will be given and, if necessary, parents/guardians will be contacted to pick up their student. Beyond first aid, medical care is the responsibility of parents/guardians.

    The district cannot make a medical diagnosis of what is wrong with a student, nor can it provide treatment beyond basic first aid. The district cannot provide the same types of care provided at your pediatrician's office or in a hospital. In some serious or potentially life-threatening situations, 911 may be called to provide emergency medical services.  

    Students With Special Health Needs

    It is important that parents/guardians inform the school nurse of any health concerns a student has that might require special attention. These include diabetes, asthma, severe allergies (such as peanuts or bee stings), hearing/vision loss, mobility issues, etc.

    If your student is receiving special education services and has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), they should receive a physical at least every three years, depending on progress and Committee for Special Education (CSE) requirements. Special health needs will be documented in the IEP. The school nurse may be a valuable resource for the family, school staff, and CSE committee in cases where students have special health needs. Alternately, some students may benefit from having a plan for accommodation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ("a 504 plan"). Please ask your school principal or school nurse if you believe this would benefit your student.