The Fire Island School Health Service program supports student's academic success by promoting health in the school health setting. One way to support academic success and make sure that students are physically ready to learn is by performing the health screening as mandated by the state of New York.
Education law and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education require physical examinations of children when they:
- Enter the school district for the first time
- Are in grades 1, 3, 7, and 10
- Participate in interscholastic sports
- Need working papers
- Are referred by/to the committee on Special Education
- Are deemed necessary by school authorities to determine a child’s education program
Parents or guardians have a choice to fulfill this requirement by the child’s physician, pediatrician, nurse practitioner, or by the school physician. We strongly urge that the examination be given by your child’s physician because s/he is the one who knows the child’s medical history and can best care for any problems which might be detected. The examination provided by the school is merely a screening, and although it fulfills the law, it should not be considered a substitute for the complete examination a private physician can provide.
School screenings include:
- Scoliosis (8 years old and up). Parent note required
- Blood pressure
- Height and weight
- Color vision (grade 2 and up; performed only once)
These screenings are conducted by Nurse Janet and the results are recorded on the child’s cumulative health record. All significant findings are reported to the parent(s) or guardian(s) to facilitate further evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, if indicated. Reports of such follow-up evaluations should be returned to Nurse Janet.