1. Medication During School Hours
A written order from a licensed prescriber and written parental permission are required for any medication to be given in school. This applies to both prescription and over the counter medications. All medication should be delivered by an adult to school in the original labeled container.

2. Illness During School Hours
If your child becomes ill at school, you or the person designated on your emergency card will be notified. NOTE: Please notify the office of any changes in telephone numbers of the name of the person to be notified.

3. Communicable Diseases/Extended Illness
All communicable diseases are to be reported to the school nurse as soon as the parent knows the diagnosis. For other illnesses or conditions, please notify the nurse if your child will be out more than two days. NOTE: In case of extended absence where a parent feels some work is needed and the child is well enough to do it, a request phoned in one day in advance will be honored.

4. General Guidelines for Parents
Please keep your child home for the following:
*Fever over 100 degrees in the last 24 hours.
*Unexplained rash or eye inflammation with discharge.
*Vomiting in the last 24 hours.
*Persistent diarrhea.
*A cold with fever, persistent cough, or extremely runny nose.
*Child is receiving medication for a communicable disease (strep throat, pink eye, etc.). Child may return to school after being on medication for at least 24 hours.

5. Physical Examinations and Health Screening
New York State Education law requires that all new students, and students in kindergarten, grades 2, 4, 7 and 10 have physical examinations. Ideally, the child's primary health care provider should perform the physical examination. However, a school physician can perform physicals in the school health office if needed. The school nurse will provide screenings as recommended by the New York State Department of Education.
Hearing screenings: Grades K, 1, 3, 5
Vision screenings: Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5
Scoliosis screening: Grade 5

6. Call-back Procedures
In the continued effort to enhance Birchwood's child safety program, a voluntary "call-back" procedure is currently in use. The purpose of this program is to inform parents in the event their child does not arrive at school. Parents are asked to telephone the office of the school nurse (Mrs. DeLuke - 344-2910, Ext. 10704) prior to 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival. If a student is not in school, the parents will be notified. In the event that further action is warranted, the principal will speak to the parent directly.

Call-back Guidelines
a. Between 3:00 p.m. (the day before) and 8:00 a.m. (the morning of the absence) call the answering machine in the nurse's office (344-2910, Ext. 10704).
b. Identify yourself by name and relationship to child.
c. Give date and time of call.
d. Give child's name, grade and teacher's name. State whether the child will be absent and why, or whether the child will be late to school and the expected time of his/her arrival.

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