Dear Guilderland Families,
Welcome back! We hope you had a safe, restful, and healthy summer. As we begin a new school year, the nursing staff of the Guilderland Central School District would like to warmly welcome all of our students and families. We are committed to supporting your child’s health and wellness so they can have a safe and successful year of learning.
Below are a few important reminders and updates from the Health Office:
New York State Physical Exam & Health Screening Requirements
As required by New York State, the following students must submit a current physical exam completed by their NYS healthcare provider:
- All new students entering the district
- Students in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades
A current physical is also required for:
- Participation in school sports
- Working papers for students age 14 and older
We also encourage families to submit a dental certificate for students in these grade levels.
In accordance with New York State guidelines our nurses will also complete vision , hearing & scoliosis screenings for students during the school year.
Immunization Requirements
All students attending school must have up-to-date immunizations in accordance with New York State law. Students who are not compliant with these requirements may be excluded from school until proper documentation is received.
You can review the current NYS School Immunization Requirements here: https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2370.pdf.
Medication Guidelines in School
To keep all students safe, please review the New York State guidelines regarding medications in school:
- All medications—including both prescription and over-the-counter (such as Tylenol, Advil, or cough drops)—require:
- A written order from a licensed healthcare provider
- Written permission from a parent or guardian
- All medications must be delivered to the Health Office by an adult
- Medications must be in their original, sealed, and properly labeled container
For safety reasons, students are not permitted to carry medications in school unless specifically authorized by their provider & approved by the school nurse (e.g., inhalers or EpiPens, with proper documentation).
When to Keep Your Child Home Due to Illness
Keeping students home when they are not feeling well helps prevent the spread of illness and supports a healthier school environment for everyone. Your child should stay home if they:
- Have a fever of 100.0°F or higher (must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning)
- Have had episodes of vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours
- Have a persistent cough, sore throat, or runny nose that interferes with their ability to participate in the school day
- Show signs of a contagious illness, such as strep throat, flu, COVID-19, conjunctivitis (pink eye), or other communicable conditions
For full details, we encourage you to review the Guilderland Central School District’s illness policy available on our website.
We are here to partner with you in keeping your child healthy and learning-ready each day. If you have questions, need medical forms, or would like to speak with your school nurse, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy, and successful school year!
Warm regards,
The Guilderland Central School District Nursing Staff