The following information should prove helpful if you have questions or concerns regarding health related matters at Schalmont Middle School. Have additional questions or need to submit student health information? Please contact our school nurse, Linda Mortensen, by phone at 355-6255, x2062.

Health requirements
Dispensing of Medication
Sick Student Policy

Health Requirements

The following requirements apply based on a student's grade level:

• All seventh-graders and new students are required to have a physical. Forms may be found in the school nurse's office or by clicking here. The nurse also will screen students' vision, hearing, height, and weight during seventh grade. This generally takes place during October/November.

• All sixth- and eighth-graders are required to have a scoliosis screening. (Seventh-graders have this done during their required physical.) Scoliosis screening is done by the school nurse during physical education class, typically in February.

• All students entering sixth grade as of September 1, 2007, must have received the Tdap vaccine. They also must have received the Varivax vaccine or have had chickenpox (physician documented) by the start of sixth grade. Please click here for more information and call your family physician, Schenectady County Public Health Clinic (346-2187) or the middle school nurse if you have any questions.

The following requirements apply to all students who plan to participate in sports:

• Students must have a physical. This physical may be completed by a student's family physician. The school physician will conduct sports physicals in August. Generally an interest meeting is held by the applicable sports coach, and he/she hands out the necessary sports packet.

• Students must have a signed permission form. They must also have an interval health form when the most recent physical date is more than 30 days from the start of the applicable sports season. These sports forms should be handed into the MS nurse prior to tryouts.

• The MS nurse will be available for fall 2008 sports clearances Monday through Friday, August 4-15, from 8 a.m. to noon during summer school. She also will have limited hours available on September 2-3 during staff development days.

Health cards are handed out by homeroom teachers in early September. These cards are very important because they are used to keep teachers aware of students' important medical information.

Dispensing of Medication in the School Setting

In order for the school nurse to give your child medication (prescription or over the counter, including Tylenol) during school hours:

• Medication must be in its original pharmacy container with the following information: 

  • Student’s name

  • Name of medication

  • Prescribing doctor

  • Dose and time to be given

• The school nurse must be given a signed note from the prescribing physician containing all the information above.

• The school nurse must be given a signed note from a parent giving the school nurse permission to dispense the medication.

• Inhalers for asthmatics also require signed notes from a parent and the prescribing physician.

• All medication must be hand-delivered to the school nurse or principal by a parent or responsible adult. Students should not carry medications to and from school.

Early morning medications should be given at home so that the medication has time to take effect before the student arrives at school.

Sick Students Policy

To insure the health of our students, school policy regarding sick students is as follows:

• A full 24 hours of medication must be administered before returning to school (Strep Throat or Pink Eye).

• Temperature has to be normal (98.6) for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.

• If your child is experiencing diarrhea on the morning of school, they should remain at home for the day.

• Children who are experiencing vomiting should remain at home until they are healthy enough to return to school (24 hours after the last vomiting episode).