Hagan Elementary School:
Health Office

As required by NYS Education Law (Article 19), the new Commissioner’s regulations for vision screening recommends distance visual acuity once within six months of admission to school, in Kindergarten, grades 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10. Additionally, the guidelines state that near visual acuity, color perception and plus lens (hyperopia) should be done once within six months of admission to school. Hearing screening must be administered to all students within six months of admission to school, in Kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10. Scoliosis screening is to be done at least once each school year to all students in grades 5 through 9. Screenings may also be done at other times as deemed necessary by school personnel. The minimum requirement for heights and weights are on the years that health appraisals are completed. The goal of the requirement is to assess each student’s status, identify problems that may impede learning, create a parent contact list for referrals, if necessary, and notify teachers when appropriate.

Screenings are conducted by the school nurse in each building as an integral part of the total school health program. Early detection will provide a child more opportunity for educational success. The earlier impairments are diagnosed and treated the more favorable the outlook for correction or improvement of the child’s well-being.

Mandated health appraisals (physical examinations) are now required for new entrants, Kindergarten, grades 2, 4, 7 and 10. Parents are encouraged to have their children examined by their family physician. Results of the examination must be noted on health forms signed by a physician and returned to the appropriate school health office. Students who do not present a signed form by the family physician will have a medical examination by the school physician. Those students wishing to participate in any interscholastic sports in middle school or high school are also required to have a physical exam by the school physician. Any health conditions which seem to require more complete diagnosis or treatment will be referred to the parents for appropriate medical follow-up.

If you have any further questions please call your school nurse.