Telemedicine services will now be available to students and staff in all four district schools for the 2026-2027 school year
The Greater Johnstown School District has announced that Warren Street Elementary School will join the District’s telemedicine program beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. With this expansion, telemedicine services will now be available in all four GJSD schools.
The District’s telemedicine program, offered in partnership with Albany Med Health System’s EmUrgentCare, provides students with convenient access to high-quality healthcare without requiring them to leave school. The program helps reduce common barriers to receiving necessary medical care, including transportation challenges, family work schedules and financial constraints.
“Expanding telemedicine services to all four of our schools reflects our continued commitment to supporting the whole child and reducing barriers for our families,” said Superintendent of Schools Alicia D. Koster.
“By providing students with necessary access to healthcare during the school day, we can support their health, safety and well-being while also helping them remain engaged in their learning when appropriate. This important service strengthens our partnership with families and supports our broader efforts to address chronic absenteeism by helping students receive medical care as quickly and conveniently as possible,” she added.
Through the program, students can receive comprehensive virtual examinations from the school nurse’s office. Specialized diagnostic equipment allows healthcare providers to conduct thorough assessments and determine appropriate next steps for care.
Services are billed through the student’s health insurance. Significant financial assistance is available for families who may need additional support.
Parents and guardians may participate virtually in their child’s appointment, helping ensure they remain informed and actively involved in their student’s care. Enrollment is required for students to use the service, and families are encouraged to register before the beginning of the new school year to support timely access when care is needed. Warren Street principal Andrea Polikoski will send Warren Street families a registration link through ParentSquare.
The expansion of the telemedicine program further demonstrates GJSD’s commitment to innovative, accessible and family-centered services that promote student wellness and create the conditions necessary for students to learn and thrive.
For additional information, please visit the District’s website: https://www.johnstownschools.org/telemedicine-services/
A student at Knox Middle School participates in a telemedicine appointment with the school nurse. Working in tandem with the nurse, a remote physician conducts a thorough examination using digital diagnostic tools, including a digital stethoscope to assess the heart and lungs and a digital otoscope to examine the ear canal and eardrum. Based on the physician’s evaluation, the student may be able to remain in school or, if they are ill, be sent home to recover. If medication is needed, the physician can send a prescription to the family’s pharmacy, allowing a parent or guardian to pick it up on the way to the school. Telemedicine provides comprehensive care without requiring the student to leave campus for a doctor’s appointment.