Physicals

New York State Law requires a physical exam for all new entrants and students in Grades prekindergarten or kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th & 11th grades. An exam is valid for twelve months through the last day of the month in which it was conducted. This is also a good time to have a full dental examination completed and submitted to the school nurse with your health certificate. Updated health appraisals are also required for students going through the Committee on Special Education triennially. The Board of Education recommends that your child have all mandated examinations done by your family health care provider within one year before the child enters these grades. Failure to provide proof of a mandated physical examination, as required by law, could result in your child’s exclusion from school as well as a report to the Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health. Please send in your child’s Health Appraisal report as soon as it is completed.



From NYSED School Health Examination Guidelines (August 2013)

A student’s mental and physical health can contribute to, or inhibit, their ability to function satisfactorily in school. Administrators and school health personnel should have current and complete information on each student’s health, along with any specific conditions which may interfere with the learning process. It is particularly important for schools to have this information prior to school entrance for students with significant medical concerns, fragile medical conditions, or social–emotional issues that require routine or emergent medical care by school personnel. Ideally, the student’s primary medical provider (a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) should perform the health examination. Knowledge of the student’s family and home, previous illnesses, immunization status and other background factors assist in evaluating the total health status of the student. The primary medical provider is also in a position to institute any necessary therapeutic measures without delay. Schools should encourage parents/guardians to have their child examined by their primary medical provider and provide a copy of the written report of the findings and recommendations of that health examination to the school.

The health examination serves multiple purposes, whether it is provided by the student’s primary medical provider or by the district medical director. Among the purposes are: 
        • To make an appropriate assessment of the student’s current health status.
        • To determine the student is free from contagion and fit to attend and participate in 
          all aspects of the school program 
        • To indicate the need and extent to which the school program should be modified to 
           benefit the student.
        • To communicate to the parent/guardian any findings which require further 
           investigation and treatment.
        • To provide an opportunity to counsel the student and the parents/guardians  
           concerning: 
           1. Any health issues or conditions detected. 
           2. Securing appropriate care and supports in the school environment. 

A health certificate is the written document that is completed by a private medical provider following a complete history and physical examination. Each such certificate or appraisal shall describe the condition of the student when the examination was made, which shall not be more than twelve months prior to the commencement of the school year in which the examination is required, and shall state whether such student is in a fit condition of health to permit his or her attendance at the public schools (Education Law Article 19 §903). 
Education Law Article 19 Section 903 requires public schools to request a dental health certificate at the same time a health certificate/appraisal is required. Parents/guardians are encouraged, but not required, to submit a completed certificate of dental examination form signed by their dentist or registered dental hygienist to the school. 
Health certificates are required to be submitted within 30 days of the start of the school year (Education Law §903, 8 NYCRR §136.3 [c][1]).