Nurse’s Office

Immunization and Physical Exam Requirements for School Attendance 

Immunizations: 

• All Todd students must have immunization proof on file and be in compliance to attend school. 
• 2024-2025 Immunization Requirements.
• Please send in immunization proof BEFORE the first day of school. No later than mid-August.
• See below for resources if needed.

Physical Exam: 

• Physicals are mandatory at Todd for all new entrants and in Grades K, 1, 3, and 5, and must be submitted within 30 days of school entrance. 
• Physicals must be on the Required NYS Health Examination form.  If needed, see school physician physical information. 

Dental Certificates:  A dental certificate is requested for all newly entering students and students in grades Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5.  

Immunization (Vaccine) Resources: Where Can I Get My Child Vaccinated? 

• Most private health insurance plans cover the cost of recommended vaccines. Check with your insurance provider on your coverage and where you and your children can get vaccinated or visit:
  • Back to School Immunization info from Westchester County Executive George Latimer. 
  • COVID Vaccine Clinics in Westchester 
• Contact the Westchester County Department of Health 914-995-5800 if need further assistance. 

Health Screenings:

• The district's School Health Services program supports your student's academic success by promoting health in the school setting. One way that we provide care for your student is by performing health screenings as mandated by the State of New York.
• During this school year, the following screenings are required on the physical exam form and/or will be completed at school:
  • Vision Screenings: Grades K, 1, 3, and 5 and all students who are new to the district
  • Hearing Screenings: Grades K, 1, 3, and 5 and all students who are new to the district
  • Scoliosis Screening: Girls in Grade 5
• A notification will only be sent home if there are any findings that would cause concern or need medical follow-up.

Weight Status Category Reporting: 

• As part of a required school health examination form, a student’s weight and height is recorded. A sample of school districts are selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health each year. No names or information about individual students are sent, just a summary. However, you may choose to have your child's information excluded from this survey report. The NYSDOH uses the data to help health officials develop child health programs. 
• To opt-out: If you do not wish to have your child's weight status group information included as part of the Health Department's survey you must notify the school nurse in writing prior to December 1^st each school year.

See NYS and NYC Screening & Health Exam Requirements

Medication Administration Guidelines

• All medication, including over the counter drugs such as Tylenol, require a written doctor's note as well as written parental permission.  Your doctor may also fax a medication order to the nurse at 432-8221.
• All medication must be in an original labeled pharmacy bottle.
• All medication should be delivered to the nurse by an adult, not sent with the child.
• Doctor's orders are valid for one school year only. All orders must be renewed by the physician yearly.
• All medication needs to be picked up on the last day of school or it will be destroyed, as per New York State law.

Protocol for Response to Food Allergies

1. Every student with a written food allergy history that includes medication (ie. Benadryl or EpiPen) must have an Emergency Care Plan developed with the parents, the physician and the nurse, including the prescribed orders. All teachers who work with the student will be provided with the necessary elements of the plan, including information on the medications required. At Todd Elementary School, the plan will include parent preferences for "peanut/treenut free" cafeteria tables. In the Todd cafeteria there will be clearly labeled "peanut/treenut-free" tables. Classrooms that serve students with peanut/treenut or other food allergies must be clearly labeled as such. A process for providing this information to substitutes will be in place.
2. If a student has a Care Plan for a food allergy at Todd School, the classroom must be free of  that allergen.  If there are birthday or other celebrations at Todd School, parents of students with allergies should make "snack and celebratory food" available in the nurse's office freezer. By middle school, students are more prepared to take charge of their food intake. By high school, students should be fully prepared to control food intake independently. Food brought from outside should be in original containers and clearly labeled with the ingredients. Home cooked or baked food should be labeled with the ingredients so the students can make correct choices. All cafeteria food should be labeled as well. Any severely allergic student should only eat food brought from home.
3. In all schools, parents and nurses will be notified of celebrations in schools that include food. Teachers will inform parents and nurses when food is used for celebrations or curriculum-based programs in the classroom. A list of ingredients must be posted with each food that will be served.
4. A standard letter will be sent home by the nurse at Todd to all parents of students in classrooms that serve students with food allergies, informing them of the prohibited foods and ingredients. 
5. Field trips at Todd and the Middle School should be discussed with the family of the food-allergic child to decide appropriate strategies for managing the food allergy on the trip. Food should be provided by the parent for the field trip unless otherwise determined. Middle and high school students should be responsible for carrying EpiPens on field trips. Todd personnel will carry the medical equipment required by the care plan, including EpiPens. 
6. Each year the school nurse will provide a presentation on symptoms of anaphylactic shock to all staff, including information on recognition of symptoms and appropriate responses. It is important to note that anyone at any time can experience anaphylaxis. Basic instruction in the use of the EpiPen will be included in the training process.
7. At Todd School, any student sent to the nurse's office must be accompanied by another student, or an adult if there is a known allergy situation or medical condition. At the middle and high school, students with minor issues may come independently to the nurse without escort. A student with a known allergy or other medical condition must be accompanied by an adult.
8. In most situations, the child should be sent to the nurse accompanied by an adult, but should there be a serious symptom of concern to the teacher, the nurse should be called immediately to the classroom with a signal of emergency situation. In this instance, 911 should be dialed immediately as well.
9. We advise parents of students with severe food allergies to provide a one day supply of safe food from home in case the food at school is not safe during an emergency. 
10. Federal/State/District laws and regulations will be followed regarding the sharing of medical information about the student.

At Todd: The parents/guardians of students with severe allergies must submit the following ANNUALLY and BEFORE school starts:

• Submit the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Careplan (aka FARE form) signed by both the provider and a parent/guardian AND
• Submit Medication Orders signed by both the provider and a parent/guardian AND
• Electronically fill out and submit the Food Allergy and Pizza Day Waiver. 

Head Lice

Head Lice are a common problem in all elementary schools and unfortunately Todd is no exception. The primary mode of transmission is head-to-head contact; however it is possible for head lice to be spread through contact with inanimate objects. The head louse is a 6-legged, wingless parasite that has plagued humanity since the beginning of recorded time. Its life cycle is 30 days and the female louse will lay 5-10 eggs or nits per day. Nits will hatch within 7-10 days. The most common symptom of head lice infestation is itching, however many children do not experience any itching at all. The presence of nits is the best way to detect lice. Nits are small whitish ovals, smaller than a sesame seed that are cemented to the hair shaft. Unlike dandruff, they cannot be brushed away.

There are three important steps in treating head lice:

• Kill the lice- There are various products on the market including pediculocides and natural or organic. The organic products smell nice and are gentle. At the same time, they break down the lice exoskeleton and nitshells so that there is little chance of survival if properly applied and reapplied during your treatment cycle. Use products as directed.
• Remove all nits —This is the single most important step in preventing re-infestation. It is best done by hand or with a special fine toothed metal comb. Many pediculocides claim to kill nits, however no product is 100% ovicidal. Even one viable nit left in the head can cause a re-infestation.
• Clean the household -Thoroughly vacuum and clean the home, paying special attention to bed linens, pillows, upholstery and carpeting. Wash items in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. Dry cleaning is also effective. Items that aren't washable can be sealed in a plastic bag for a period of two weeks. Combs and brushes should be boiled. Household insecticide sprays should not be used, since they may be harmful and are not effective.

Parents should check their children on a regular basis to prevent the spread of lice.

Children should be instructed not to share hats, combs, brushes and hair ornaments. Head-to-head contact should be avoided. It is a good idea to send in a bag for your child to store jackets, hats, and other personal belongings. There are several myths regarding head lice that contribute to a lot of unnecessary anxiety. Head lice do not jump or fly.
They do not spread disease. They do not live on animals, nor can animals spread them. They do not spread to other parts of the body.
Unfortunately, there is still a stigma associated with the condition. There is no need for embarrassment. Head lice are more commonly found on clean, healthy heads. They do not like dirty hair. Head lice are transmitted from person to person and hygiene is not a factor.
Although the diagnosis of head lice is very distressful, it is important to keep it in perspective. Lice are very tenacious and adaptable creatures and even the most thorough prevention techniques do not always work.

Household Hints

1. Wash everything that your child has come in contact with in hot water, and dry in the dryer for 20 minutes. This includes clothes, washable soft toys, blankets, quilts, sheets, pillows and pillowcases. Any clothing items that cannot be washed should be dry cleaned or stored in a plastic bag for no less than 2 weeks.
2. Vacuum all carpets, furniture, mattresses, drapes, car seats etc., that the child may have come in contact with. Remember lice can live 48 hours without a human host.
3. Clean all brushes, combs or other hair items by boiling or soaking in hot water and a disinfectant. It is best for each family member to have his/her own comb and brush. Make a family policy not to share hats, scarves, hair items not only with each other, but with others outside the home.
4. Check your child's head frequently after treatment. Live lice may live up to 24 hours after treatment and may need to be removed manually. Frequent head checks and removal of all nits is the only way to guarantee elimination of this pest.
5. Lice do not die in the shower or at the pool. They have a breathing tube which they can close in adverse circumstances and will survive for some time without air.
6. Lice are not killed by the blow dryer. If your child is not burned by the dryer, it is not hot enough to kill head lice. Heat is not the solution.
7. Be compassionate. No one chooses to be infested with lice. It is an age -old problem that needs to be addressed by the community at large. Working together and sharing ideas and solutions that may have worked for you will go so much farther than blame and ridicule.
8. Take a lesson from the children. They are very matter-of-fact about lice. It's no big deal to them. And in reality, although an annoyance, lice are not dangerous and do not spread disease. We should not make them more important than they are.

More information and resources:

American Academy of Pediatrics: Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know 

CDC: Head Lice FAQs

NYSDOH: Fact Sheet

Lice and nit removal (optional):

The Lice Lady of Westchester (Anna Krosche) - (914) 497-5465 

Licenders (Debra Rosen) - (888) LICE ENDERS

Lice Doctors - (914) 730-6821

The Lice Chicks, Inc - (914) 953-6448 

LiceOut911 - (914) 689-3655

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Our school building is located within the ten-mile emergency-planning zone (EPZ) of the Indian Point nuclear power plant. In January 2001, the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission amended its policy on the availability and usage of the over-the-counter drug potassium iodide (KI) during a radiological emergency. As a result, New York State also revised its policy regarding providing KI to the general population in the 10-mile emergency planning zones surrounding the Indian Point, Nine Mile Point and Ginna commercial nuclear power sites.

KI is an over-the-counter drug that protects the thyroid from exposure to radioactive iodine. KI only protects one organ against one radioactive substance. It is not an alternative to evacuation or sheltering. In fact, evacuation and sheltering remain New York's primary public protective actions in the event of an accident at any nuclear power site. Should the County and/or State Department of Health recommend the use of KI during an emergency, the School District will have KI available on-site for your child. Evacuation from the ten-mile EPZ remains our primary protective radiological action. In the event that evacuation is not immediately possible and/or KI use is recommended by County and/or State health officials, an appropriate dose of KI would be available for your child.

If you do not want the school to provide your child with KI in a radiological emergency, you must sign and return the opt out form to the health office. Please note that if you do not return the opt-out form and KI use is recommended by health officials, your child will receive KI. If you have any concerns regarding the emergency use of KI or questions on your child's health and the use of KI, please discuss this with your child's health care provider.

If you have any questions about the school's program, please contact my office at 914-432-8002. 

Potassium Iodide (KI) and Radiation Emergencies Fact Sheet

 

General "sick" guidelines: Unless your child is significantly ill, the best place for them is in school.  However, there are certain situations in which you should keep your child home, or your child may be sent home, and you should consult with a healthcare provider, such as: 

• Temperature of 100 degrees or more*
• Vomiting and/or Diarrhea*
• Persistent stomachache
• Persistent coughing, headache, non-clear nasal discharge, sore throat, or earache
• Red, itchy eyes with drainage or crusting
• Significant rash

*If your child is sent home from school with a temp of 100 or greater, vomiting and/or diarrhea, they must remain home for at least 24 hrs.

Return to School after Illness, Surgery, or Injury:  Prior to a child’s return to school after a communicable illness, prolonged illness, hospitalization, injury, concussion* or surgery, a healthcare provider’s note should be submitted with the date of clearance for both school and activity.  All notes note should include instructions, recommended accommodations and for how long. ie: a provider note is required to use crutches or other equipment at school. *If your child sustained a concussion, the parent/guardian must contact the nurse. The provider must state the diagnosis of concussion and provide instructions.

Physical Education (PE) is mandated by NYS as part of the school curriculum. If your child is unable to participate:

• for one day only, they can be excused with a parent/guardian email or note.
• for more than one day, for any reason, a primary care provider’s note is required to excuse them and they must state the date they are cleared to fully resume activity.
• Any time a child is excused from PE, they cannot participate in active recess.

Parents Fight Flu at Home and School - guide from the NYSDOH:  (Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean) 

Influenza information from the CDC

COVID-19 webpage from the CDC

Concussion Handout for Parents from the CDC

• Physical Forms (required NYS form)

• Forms needed for students with severe allergies: 

  • Anaphylactic Emergency Care Plan (aka FARE form) (Versión Español) 

  • Food Allergy / Pizza Day Waiver (Versión Español)

• Authorization for Medication to be Administered at School 

• Sample Asthma action plan

• Sample Seizure action plan

• (KI) Potassium Iodide Opt-Out Form (Versión Español) 

• Dental Forms