Medical Issues/Health Alerts

We have one full time school nurse and one Health Assistant who are available to provide medical service to students and to work with teachers. The nurse’s office is in the back half of Room 123. The nurse also does in-class or small group prevention work, such as asthma information classes. Staff members, other than the school nurse, are not permitted to administer any medication (with the exception of an Epipen in the case of emergency). Teachers are also not permitted to hold medication for a child to self-administer (other than the Epipen).

Epipen

According to NYCDOE regulations, students requiring an Epipen in school must have the medication with them at all times, including when they travel to recess/lunch, other classes and on trips. We have staff trained in administering Epipens and renew that training each year. Fortunately, we almost never have to use this medication, but it is important to have it close at hand in an emergency.

We ask that you do the following, if your child has an Epipen:

• Make sure to complete and return medical documentation to the school nurse. You can find the form HERE
• Please label the Epipen with your child’s name and picture.
• Inform your child’s teacher that your child has an Epipen.
• Send in a fanny pack/hip sack or other small case that your child can use to carry the Epipen in school. It should be something that is hands-free and easy to wear during playtime.

CPR

We have about 10 staff members (many of whom are out of classroom staff) who are trained and certified in CPR and the use of the defibrillator. (We have two defibrillators–one located in the lobby close to the doors and one across from the security desk in the minischool.)

Playgrounds

The front playground is for the exclusive use of Kindergartners and first graders. Kindergartners play in the front daily; first graders rotate each week between the front and back play yards. The rear yard is used for morning line-up, and throughout the day for play by second through fifth graders. The playgrounds are reserved for school use between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm on school days. Please refrain from ball playing, scooting, skating or biking until 3:15 pm, while the yard is crowded with parents and children at dismissal. Outside of those hours, there is no supervision by school personnel (parents of older children who come to school by themselves in the morning, take note). It is the parent’s/caregiver’s responsibility to make sure their children are playing safely and courteously. Except for students attending before or after school programs in the building, school bathrooms are not available for use before 8:30 and after 4:00. Please refrain from smoking in the playground, or letting children or pets in your charge urinate on school property.

Broken Legs & Arms

In the unfortunate event that your child breaks or fractures a limb requiring accommodations, you must bring in the necessary forms before your child will be allowed to attend class. This applies to a fracture of the arm, wrist or shoulder, or of any limb where crutches must be used. In order to prevent delays and last-minute scrambles for forms, please be sure to do the following:

Email your child’s teacher and Assistant Principal Liz McCormack to arrange accommodations before your child returns to school.

Fill out a 504 form and have it signed by the doctor. You can download one here. If your child also requires medication (including ibuprofen or acetaminophen), find a full list of health forms here.

Get an 012-S report from the school nurse, to be filled out by your orthopedist and returned.

Bring in a copy of the medical release form from your doctor or ER, if you have one. This report can serve to readmit your child to school while other paperwork is being processed.