Health Services

Pleasant Avenue
Bobbie Jo Senzio, Licensed Practical Nurse
Phone: (518) 762-8216

Warren Street
Deborah Ruggeri, Licensed Practical Nurse
Phone: (518) 762-3715

Johnstown Junior-Senior High School
Stephanie Ellsworth, Registered Professional Nurse
Phone: (518) 762-4663

Knox Building
Kayla Sisum, Licensed Practical Nurse
Phone: (518) 762-4611 ext. 6112

COVID Resources

COVID Guidance for 2022-2023 School Year

(Posted September 13, 2022) Recently, Governor Kathy Hochul and State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett released updated state guidance for addressing the COVID-19 and Monkeypox viruses in schools. These plans align with recent release of updated CDC Guidance. 

As the governor stated, this year will be starting very differently than the previous two years. Masks, quarantines, and social distancing requirements will not be part of our return to school plans.  

Still, there are ongoing risks associated with these viruses that require care and attention and our district will adhere to mitigation strategies that have been proven to help keep our students and staff healthy. Here is a summary of the update guidance and practices that we will use going forward: 

  • Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should still isolate for 5 days at home following the onset of symptoms. Those whose symptoms improve may resume attending school after 5 days if they are fever-free without fever reducing medicine for 24 hours and they wear a mask through day 10. Please see the protocols here for further guidance should you test positive for COVID-19.
  • Universal mask wearing is not required. Students and staff who choose to wear masks may do so, based on their comfort level and risk factors.
  • Those exposed to COVID-19 will no longer be required to quarantine or “test to stay” in school, though they should still be watchful for symptoms and stay home if they are feeling unwell. 
  • Those who have tested positive are still encouraged to report to Fulton County Health Department so that they can keep track of trends in our area. 
  • GJSD will continue to provide free masks and at-home antigen tests as needed through our health offices.  
  • GJSD will no longer conduct screening testing for unvaccinated staff members or those participating in extracurricular activities, nor are we required to report positivity rates.
  • GJSD is no longer required to conduct contract tracing, therefore seating on the buses, during lunch, events and classroom activities will return to normal. 
  • GJSD will continue to encourage students to practice good hand washing etiquette in its schools, and when feeling unwell, to stay home and let our school health offices know. 
  • As of now, there are no Monkeypox-related requirements for school operations, as schools are considered to be low-risk.

Our primary concern remains the safety and well-being of our students and staff.  We will continue to maintain close contact with the Fulton County Health Department, the NYS Department of Health, and the NYS Department of Education and follow their recommendations regarding public health. Thank you for your efforts in helping to ensure that our schools remain healthy! 

 

Medications

The school’s nursing personnel may administer medication to a student during school hours under certain conditions. (For the purpose of this policy “medication” includes prescription and non-prescription). Per New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements, the school must receive the following before medication is given to a student:

  1. The original written order from the student’s physician stating the name of the medication, precise dosage, frequency and time of administration;
  2. A written, signed consent from the student’s parent or legal guardian requesting the administration of the medication, as prescribed by the physician, to the student in school; and
  3. The medication, properly labeled in its original container, must be delivered to the School Health Office by the student’s parent or legal guardian. (The term “properly labeled” in the context of this policy means that the container must include the following information: the student’s name, name of medication, dosage, frequency and prescribing physician).

A student is not permitted to carry any medication on his/her person in school, or on the school bus, or keep any medication in his/her school locker(s). An exception to this policy may apply for a student’s asthma inhaler or epi-pen which a student may carry and use under certain conditions. Please contact the School Health Office for more information.

Physicals

New York State law requires that all new entrants and all students entering grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 have a satisfactory health examination conducted by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner within 12 months prior to the commencement of the school year. Documentation must be provided to the school within 30 days of entry or commencing the grade levels indicated above. In addition, a certificate of physical fitness is required for all athletes prior to their first sport of the school year and for all students who need work permits. The physical examination record form your health care provider must complete is available through the  New York State Center for School Health (NYSCSH) website.

Vaccinations

Please visit the New York State Department of Health website for immunization requirements.

Vision, Hearing & Scoliosis Screenings

  • Vision screening is required within 6 months of admission to school and in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11.
  • Hearing screening is required within 6 months of admission to school and in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11.
  • Scoliosis screening is required for girls in grades 5 and 7 and for boys in grade 9.

Influenza Information

New York State Public Health Law Section 613 requires that schools post influenza educational material. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to refer to guidelines from our school district nurses below; read the NYSDOH Seasonal Flu Guide for Parents (PDF); or visit the NYS Dept of Health website.

Flu Guidelines

As important as regular attendance is for your child’s  education, his/her health and the health of our school community remain the priority. Please be sure to keep sick children home until they are well. Children should not come to school if:

  • They are vomiting
  • They have diarrhea
  • They have a fever – please wait until they have been fever free with no medication for 24 hours before sending them back to school.

REMEMBER:

  • Wash hands with soap and water to get rid of germs
  • Blow your nose with a tissue, then throw it away and immediately wash your hands
  • Cover your nose or mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze
  • Try not to rub your eyes or your nose

Concussions & Heat Related Illnesses

Please visit our Concussions & Heat Related Illnesses page for pertinent information.

Health Department Survey – BMI/Weight Status

As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or “BMI.” The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low. Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination. A sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health. If our school is selected to be part of this survey, we will be reporting to New York State Department of Health information about our students’ weight status groups. Only summary information is sent. No names and no information about individual students are sent. However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report.

The information sent to the New York State Department of Health will help Health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier.

If you do not wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the Health Department’s survey this year, please complete this opt-out letter and return it to the main office at your child’s school building.