COMMACK SCHOOLS

Student Health in the Commack Schools

New York State Law requires that each school-age child have a physical examination upon their first entrance into school in Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten, and when entering Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. The physical examination form can be found here, and should be completed by your family physician and returned to the school your child attends in September. 

Student Health:

If your child’s health status changes, please notify his/her school nurse so that we may accommodate any health needs that your child may have. If your child is having surgery, or is diagnosed with any health condition, please contact the nurse’s office at your earliest convenience. Please click here to read "When to keep a child home with illness."

Medical Examinations:
Annual physical exams are required for all new entrants, students in Grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, students participating in sports, students who need working permits and needed triennially for the Committee on Special Education (CSE). The ‘Health Examination Form’ (linked on the right, under Forms, Files & Links) needs to be completed by the parent/guardian and physician.  

Click here for New York State Screening & Health Exam Requirements

Medication:
If your child requires medication during school hours, the ‘Administration of Medication’ form must be completed in its entirety and returned to the health office in your child’s school. This form contains the written prescription from the doctor and a written statement from the parent requesting administration of the medication. The medication must be in a properly labeled original container. This rule also applies to non-prescription medications.

• Parents must pick up all unused medication before the last day of school or it will be discarded.

Immunizations:

New York State public health law section 2164 requires any student entering or attending school to show proof of immunization.

• Tdap Vaccine Requirement: All students who are entering 6th grade in September and are 11 years old by September 1st must have the required Tdap vaccine and submit proof to the school nurse.
• NEW Meningococcal Vaccine School Requirement: Effective September 1, 2016, all students entering grades 7 and 12 in NYS will be required to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease and to submit proof of this vaccine to the school nurse.
• Click here for the 2024-25 School Year NYS Immunization Requirements
• Meningococcal Vaccine School Requirement -  All public and private school students entering 7th and 12th grades in New York State must be fully vaccinated against meningococcal disease in order to attend school.

One dose of meningococcal vaccine is required before 7th grade. If your child had the first dose as a sixth grader, then another dose is not required until 12th grade.

A total of two doses will be required before 12th grade. Most students entering 12th grade got their first dose when they were younger and are now due for their second dose, or booster. This booster is needed because protection from the vaccine decreases over time.

The only teens who will not need a second dose before 12th grade are those who got their first dose on or after their 16th birthday.

Flu:

Click on the following links for tips to Fight the Flu at Home in English and Spanish.