Health and Wellness

Children attending pre-K through 12th grade in New York state must receive all required doses of vaccines on the recommended schedule in order to attend or remain in school. For more details, visit the New York State Department of Health School Vaccination Information webpage.

Rockland Central School District offers physicals to all students who may need them to play sports, for working papers or for required physicals for their grade levels (Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11) Families may also submit a physical form from their doctor instead of having a physical done by the school physician. 

Nurses also conduct state required screenings for height, weight, vision, hearing and scoliosis.

Notifications of screening and required physicals are sent home to families in advance.

The school nurse is not allowed to use any medical products, such as Calamine lotion, antibacterial creams, Tylenol, etc. Medication can only be taken in school when the parent/guardian submits the following information:

1. A note from the family doctor containing the student’s name, the date and name of the medication, dosage and time to be administered, and list of possible side effects; and
2. A note from the parent or guardian giving the school nurse, teacher, principal or other school staff permission to administer the medication; or
3. A medication request form (which includes the family doctor and parent signatures) must be filed with the school nurse.

Students are not allowed to bring medication to school. This includes over-the counter medications such as aspirin, Tylenol or Claritin. If students are found to be in possession of these types of any medication, disciplinary action may result.

Under certain circumstances health care providers may request that a student carry and self-administer their own medication via a form. This requires a specific request by the health care provider and must show that the student has been instructed in and understands the purpose and appropriate method of administration and frequency of use. 

Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Q: Is the flu more serious for kids?

A: Infants and young children are at greater risk for getting seriously ill from the flu. That’s why the New York State Department of Health recommends that all children 6 months and older get the flu vaccine.

Flu vaccine may save your child’s life. Most people with the flu are sick for about a week, and then they feel better. But, some people, especially young children, pregnant women, older people, and people with chronic health problems, can get very sick. Some can even die. An annual vaccine is the best way to protect your child from the flu. The vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older every year.

Q: What is the flu?

A: The flu, or influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu can spread from person to person.

Q: Who needs the flu shot?

A: Flu shots can be given to children 6 months and older. Children younger than 9 years old who get a vaccine for the first time need two doses.

Q: How else can I protect my child?

A: Get the flu vaccine for yourself. Encourage your child’s close contacts to get the flu vaccine, too. This is very important if your child is younger than 5, or if he or she has a chronic health problem such as asthma (breathing disease) or diabetes (high blood sugar levels). Because children under 6 months can’t be vaccinated, they rely on those around them to get an annual flu vaccine.

Wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneezes. It’s best to use a tissue and quickly throw it away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. This will prevent the spread of germs.

Tell your children to:

• Stay away from people who are sick
• Clean their hands often
• Keep their hands away from their face

Cover coughs and sneezes to protect others

Q: What are signs of the flu?

A: The flu comes on suddenly. Most people with the flu feel very tired and have a high fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and sore muscles. Some people, especially children, may also have stomach problems and diarrhea. The cough can last two or more weeks.

Q: How does the flu spread?

A: People who have the flu usually cough, sneeze and have a runny nose. The droplets in a cough, sneeze or runny nose contain the flu virus. Other people can get the flu by breathing in these droplets or by getting them in their nose or mouth.

Q: How long can a sick person spread the flu to others?

A: Most healthy adults may be able to spread the flu from one day before getting sick to up to 5 days after getting sick. This can be longer in children and in people who don’t fight disease as well (people with weaker immune systems).

Q: What should I use to clean hands?

A: Wash hands with soap and water for as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. If soap and water are not handy, use a hand sanitizer. It should be rubbed into hands until the hands are dry.

Q: What can I do if my child gets sick?

A: 

• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks lots of fluids.
• Talk with your child’s health care provider before giving your child over-the-counter medicine.
• Never give your child or teen aspirin, or medicine that has aspirin in it. It can cause serious problems.
• Call your child’s health care provider if your child develops flu symptoms and is younger than 5 or has a chronic medical condition like asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung disease.
• If you are worried about your child’s illness, call your health care provider.

Q: Can my child go to school or day care with the flu?

A: No. If your child has the flu, he or she should stay home to rest. This helps avoid giving the flu to other children.

Q: When can my child go back to school or day care after having the flu?

Children with the flu should be isolated in the home, away from other people. They should also stay home until they have no fever without the use of fever-control medicines and they feel well for 24 hours. Remind your child to protect others by covering his or her mouth when coughing or sneezing. You may want to send your child to school with some tissues, and a hand sanitizer, if allowed by the school.

If you suspect a child is being abused or maltreated (neglected), report it by calling 1-800-342-3720, a toll-free 24-hour hotline operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department. Information about reporting child abuse and maltreatment (neglect) is available online at Child Protective Services

The state requires schools to track each student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight status category as part of school health examinations. Every year, the New York State Department of Health will survey some schools for the number of pupils in each of six possible weight status categories. If Rockland Central School District is surveyed by the state, the district will share summary group data only, and will not share individual names or information. Parents/guardians who wish to exclude their child’s data from such group calculations must contact the nurse in their child’s school building by Oct. 1.

Safe Swimming Tips

• Always swim with someone else and keep an eye on each other.
• Pay extra attention to your children around water.
• Consider your health. Medical conditions like a seizure disorder or heart condition can put people at greater risk of drowning.
• Avoid water that is greater than chest deep if you can’t swim.
• Don’t use alcohol or drugs if you plan to swim.
• Don’t dive into water less than eight feet deep or of unknown depth.
• Pay attention to the weather and never swim during storms or lightning.
• The safest place to swim is at a public beach or at a pool with lifeguards

Know the Signs of Drowning

Each year, hundreds of New Yorkers drown. It can happen to anyone, anywhere there is water. Drowning occurs quickly and silently. Someone drowning may appear to be splashing or waving when they are struggling to stay afloat. Reduce your risk. Learn basic swimming skills. Consider taking a CPR class. Rescue breathing, first aid, and calling 911 could save a life.

Keep Kids Safe

Kids and teens have the greatest risk of drowning. Always keep little ones within arm’s reach, even in the shallow end. Lifeguards and life jackets don’t take the place of close adult supervision. Make sure your pool has a secure enclosure that makes it inaccessible to children.

Stay Healthy

Germs can spread through water. Avoid getting sick by not swallowing water, and rinsing off before and after you swim. Never swim in cloudy or discolored water. Stay out of the water if you are sick with diarrhea, or if you have open cuts or wounds. Don’t pee or poop in the water. Take children on frequent bathroom breaks.

When Boating

Always follow safe boating practices and wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved (I-III label) life jacket. Air-filled swimming aids, like water wings and floats, should never be used.

For more information, visit the New York State Safe and Healthy Swimming page.

Source: New York State Department of Health. (August 2025). Safe Swimming Tip Card.

More information is also available on The American Red Cross Water Safety Page.