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Health & Safety

Introduction to Health & Safety at BH-BL

Health

Whether a child feels healthy, safe, and supported can have a significant impact on student performance. In order to create a positive learning environment, the district supports health and safety policies and practices that address the physical, social and emotional needs of all students. [Download a copy of the BH-BL Health Office Parent Handbook]

Districtwide Safety

Emergencies and violent incidents in school districts are critical issues that must be addressed in an expeditious and effective manner. Districts are required to develop a district-wide school safety plan designed to prevent or minimize the effects of serious violent incidents, declared state disaster emergencies involving a communicable disease or local public health emergency declaration and other emergencies and to facilitate the coordination of the district with local and county resources in the event of such incidents or emergencies. The district-wide plan is responsive to the needs of all schools within the district and is consistent with the more detailed emergency response plans required at the school building level. The District-wide School Safety Plan provides the framework for the Building-level Emergency Response Plan. [Download a PDF of the district’s safety plan.]

School Nurses

A child’s ability to learn is influenced by his or her health. The BH-BL school nurses provide both health assessment and health information to enhance the quality of education and the quality of life for our students.

The role of the school nurse is to assess a student’s condition through objective and subjective data in order to make appropriate decisions and recommendations to parents/guardians about illnesses or injuries occurring during the school day and when/ if to seek out medical evaluation and treatment. Please do not send students to school to be diagnosed.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the nurse at your child’s school.

Student Emergency Information Update Forms

We rely on the Student Emergency Information Update form to provide up-to-date contact information for family, emergency contacts in case we are unable to reach parents/guardians for students, and a brief statement of any pertinent health issues that the nurse should be aware of.

If your child does not feel well

If you suspect your child may be ill, please do NOT send him or her to school. We are committed to reducing the spread of infectious conditions and are not equipped to manage a sick child at school for any extended period of time.

Some other considerations:
  • A student should NOT attend school if:
  • A fever (100º or greater) is present. A student’s temperature should be normal without medication (Tylenol or Advil) for 24 hours before he or she returns to school.
  • The student has a cold with persistent heavy nasal discharge.
  • A persistent uncontrollable cough is present.
  • Vomiting occurs before school.
  • An unidentified rash is present.
  • The student has a very painful sore throat or a sore throat lasting longer than 24-48 hours and is getting worse. (Note: Students who have a strep throat infection should take their prescribed antibiotics for a full 24 hours before returning to school. It takes 24 hours of an antibiotic regimen before the child is no longer contagious.)
  • He or she generally does not feel well.

Your child’s physician is the best source of information and advice in regard to your child’s health or illness. You are also welcome to contact your school nurse.

COVID Protocol

As a result of updated guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Center for School Health has issued a recommendation for school districts to update their protocols for when students should stay home and subsequently return to school following a positive Covid test. This protocol now matches our requirements for the flu and other respiratory illnesses.

  • Students should stay home if they have any of the following symptoms:
    fever, chills, fatigue, persistent cough/ runny nose, and headache.
  • Students may return to school when symptoms have improved and they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.
  • It is recommended that students take added precautions over the next 5 days,
    including masking and enhanced hygiene (covering coughs and sneezes,
    handwashing).
  • Keep in mind that people may still be able to spread the virus that made them sick, even if they are feeling better, so it is important to take extra precautions after resuming normal activities.

Please contact your child’s school nurse if you have any questions.

School Social Workers

These individuals are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy. The school social workers provide a safe and confidential place for students to receive support for emotional issues that are impeding their academic achievement. School social workers provide crisis counseling, short term counseling, and outside resource recommendations to address mental health concerns. School social workers also support communication between home, school, and community based resources. [Webpage]

More District Health Procedures

Allergies

Parents of children with severe allergies who wish to work with the district on developing a care plan for their child should so inform their school principal and/or school nurse by August 1 of each year.

Tutoring or Transportation for Sick or Disabled Students

Special tutoring or transportation may be arranged for a student with an extended illness or an injury that prevents attendance at regular school or use of regular bus transportation. Special tutoring must be requested by the parent and recommended by a physician. Special transportation must be recommended by the attending physician and should be requested from the Superintendent.

School Insurance Policies

The district’s pupil accident insurance policy contains the provision that the family’s insurance will be used first in the event of an injury to a student in school. The amount that is not covered under the family policy may, in certain circumstances, be submitted to the school district’s insurer. Contact Human Resources at 518-399-9141, ext. 85006 for more information.

Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-342-3720