New York State Education Law allows for the administering of first aid by school nurses and by any other staff members who have been trained in first aid. First aid is defined as the immediate, temporary care given to the victim of an accident or illness. School nurses, or any other school personnel, are not permitted to render care beyond First Aid (e.g. wounds may not be re-bandaged). The care that is rendered is limited to the first aid protocols that have been approved by the District's school physician.

1. If an accident or illness occurs, first aid will be rendered and parents will be notified as necessary.

2. If emergency medical attention is needed and a parent cannot be reached, the individuals designated by the parents as emergency contacts will be called.

3. In the event that neither a parent nor the emergency contact is available, the child will be transported, by ambulance, to a local hospital and will be accompanied by a district representative.

4. In the event a student who reports to the Health Office is determined to have a communicable disease, or if a child is kept home because of a communicable disease, a physicians note will be required for the child to return to school.

New York State Education and Public Health Law strictly forbids the administration of any prescribed or over-the-counter medications without a physicians order and parental permission. A parental request to have medication administered to a child while in school or in a school sponsored activity, must include the following: 

	Name and Grade of student
	Possible side effects
	Physician's order and signature
	Name of Medication
	Date of prescription
	Parent's signature
	Dosage and time of administration

The medication must be in its original container, properly labeled by the pharmacist, and school nurse by the parent. Permission forms may be obtained from the school nurse, or the physician may write this order on his office stationary. In an emergency, a physician's verbal orders can be accepted, but it must be followed by a written doctor's order.

Parents are responsible for picking up unused medication at the end of the school year.  Medication that is not claimed will be discarded.

In order to promote the physical well being of all children, New York State Education Law requires proof of immunization against childhood diseases before children can be enrolled in school and mandates certain medical examinations and screenings.

Medical examinations are required of all students in grades K, 2, 4, 7 and 10 and for all new entrants to the East Williston UFSD. (It is recommended, however, that all children receive an annual medical and dental examination.) Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status category must be submitted to the school on the Health Appraisal Form.  The family private physicians report must be returned to the schools Health Office no later than October 1. Failure to provide this information will result in having the child examined by the school physician.

Students in grades 6 through 11 who are interested in participating in the District's Interscholastic Athletic Program for the next school year, must have an approved medical examination performed by either the School Physician or a family physician. A report of the medical examination performed by the family physician must be completed on the district form, which must be submitted to the School Nurse for review and approval. The School Physician will be available to conduct sports physicals in June, August and September of each year. The results of all approved sports medical examinations will be valid for participation in the athletic program throughout the school year. Each sports season, students must complete and return a parent consent and medical update form. Coaches, at their pre-season team meetings, will distribute these forms. These forms are also available at the Health Offices and the Athletic Director's Office.

Annual vision screenings will be conducted by the School Nurse for students in grades K-3, 5, 7 and 10. A color perception test will be administered once by the School Nurse to all Kindergarten students and new entrants.

An annual hearing screening will be conducted for students in grades K, 1, 3,5,7, and 10. 

Children between the ages of 10 and 14 are also required to be screened for scoliosis annually.

Parents will be advised of the results of these screenings in the event the need for the referral to a private physician is indicated. When treatment by a family's private physician is initiated, parents are requested to provide the school nurse with a note, signed by the physician, that the child is under a physician's care.

Any injury or illness that limits or curtails a student's participation in physical education and the athletic program, must be documented by a physician's note. The note must include a description of the injury/illness, length and duration of the absence, recommendations regarding participation in an adapted capacity, if appropriate, and the date of expected return to full activity. The student's return to full participation in physical education and athletics must be accompanied by a signed physician's note.

Students who are unable to attend school for reasons of illness, accident, or handicapping conditions may be entitled to home instruction. The projected absence must be for a minimum of three weeks in order for home instruction to be instituted, A doctors note indicating the projected time of absence should be submitted to the building principal at the North Side School. Further questions should be directed to the Administrator of Educational Services.