September 2021

Welcome OLQA Family of Families!

I have been a Registered Nurse for almost 35 years and started my career in school nursing in 2012 when I joined the OLQA Family.

Please contact me with any concerns regarding your child's health. If your child has any allergies or requires medications to be administered at school, please contact me for the required paperwork.

As we enter another school year with COVID-19 guidelines from NYS Department of Health (DOH) and our local DOH, we will continue to forge ahead as we did last year and offer a safe environment for your children to learn. 

As always, I seek your cooperation in informing me of your child's absence, but in addition, I ask that you contact me if your child or a member of your household tests positive for COVID-19. For more information about COVID-19, click the link to the left under "From the Nurse".

Besides the daily triage that goes on in the health office, the following mandated screenings are performed to support your child’s academic success by promoting health in the school setting:

Vision      

• Distance acuity and near vision for all newly entering students and students in kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.
• Color perception screening for all newly entering students.

Hearing   

• Hearing screening for all newly entering students and students in kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11.

Scoliosis  

• Scoliosis (spinal curvature) screening for girls grades 5 & 7 and boys in grade 9.

A letter will be sent home if there are any findings on the screening done at school that require medical follow-up. Please call the school’s Health Office if you have any questions or concerns. 

Health Examination

• A physical examination including Body Mass Index and Weight Status Category Information is required for all newly entering students and students in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.
• If we do not receive the NYS health examination form completed by your child’s primary care physician (PCP) dated within one year of the school year, a physical will be performed by the school’s Medical Director unless you request, in writing, otherwise and provide documentation from your child’s PCP of the expected exam date.

Medication
All medication (prescribed and over the counter) that needs to be given at school must be brought in by an adult, in the original pharmacy bottle, along with medication administration forms signed by both, parent and primary care provider before it can be administered in school.

If your child gets injured at home, please contact me so we can discuss any accommodations and medical letters that may be necessary to return to school.

The health office hours are 7:45 am to 2:45 pm. If you should need to reach me, call 631-878-1033 X 202 or email me at gplechner@olqany.org.

Warmest Regards,
Gerri Plechner
School Nurse