The supervision of the child's health needs in school is the responsibility of all school personnel. Its success depends upon a coordinated effort including the leadership of the school physician and school health staff, as well as the valued assistance, input, and cooperation of administrative and teaching staff. The health program, which must deal with the student as a total person, has as its primary goal the promotion of health in youngsters and young adults.
The nurse at Hillel Community Day School, Debora Houghtalen RN BSN, continually supervises students' health and safety, administers first aid, medications, TLC, and cares for ill and injured students and faculty.

HOURS AND PHONE NUMBER

The Health Office is covered from 8:00am-3:00pm on school days. The direct line is (585)271-6877 ext 105. Attendance messages may be left there. The HCDS Fax line is (585)473-8039. If you would like to send an email message, I check my email each morning. Send your messages to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Attendance:

There are many factors that contribute to your child's school success. Messages about the importance of school are clear to children when their parents make sure they have enough sleep, proper nutrition, needed supplies and are at school on time. One area that is particularly "visible" to children is that of attendance. Children need to be in school in order to benefit from all facets of the educational experience. Parents whose children experience frequent illness are asked to work with school personnel to develop a plan that supports continued learning. For children who are illegally absent and/or tardy, we ask that parents consider the lessons that your children are learning about being organized, responsible, prepared for work and being on time. As part of the school's effort to support good habits and positive attitudes, student attendance is monitored on a regular basis. We notify parents in writing in January and again in June if there appears to be excessive illegal absenteeism or tardiness. Should you receive such a letter, please know that our intent is to support you, as parents by letting you know what your child's attendance record is. I know there may be times when circumstances beyond your control will result in illegal absences or tardiness. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss the letter you receive. The only recognized excuses for legal absences are:

Personal illness

Family illness

Death in the family

Religious Holiday

Thank you for your support and cooperation in making sure your child is in school regularly and on time.

Student Absences:

If your child is tardy or absent, please leave a message on the voice mail at (585) 271-6877 ext 105. When your child returns to school a note is needed indicating the name of your child, your child's teacher, the date and reason for the absence.

Medications:

The Health Office may dispense prescribed medication to a student if we have a doctor's order, the medication is in its original bottle and a note from the parent giving permission. The medication must be brought to school and dropped off by an adult. Any remaining medication may not be sent home with the child. Many pharmacies will give a labeled bottle to be used in school. Students may use cough drops in school as long as they are brought in with a note from a parent and kept in the Health Office.

Physicals:

NYS Education Department requires an annual physical examination for new entrants, students entering grades K,2,4,7,10, sports, working permits and triennially, for the Committee on Special Education (CSE). This exam complies with NYSED requirements and is valid for one year through the last day of the month. A physical form will be sent home in the March report card for each student in first, third, and sixth grades. Please have it filled out by your physician and returned to school as soon as possible. The form may be faxed to HCDS at (585) 473-8039. If you need a form, you may call the Health Office at (585) 271-6877 and it will be sent home with your child. We use the Monroe County physical form and each pediatrician's office should have a copy.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS STATE REQUIREMENT COULD RESULT IN EXCLUSION OF YOUR CHILD FROM SCHOOL.

Updating Records:

It is important that our office be kept abreast of address and phone number changes. Our firm belief is that children belong in school, but there are times when parents need to be contacted. When a child becomes ill (fever over 100 or vomiting etc) or injured, it is our responsibility to contact parents. This becomes very difficult when we have outdated information. The new information may be sent in by a note, phone call, fax, or sent to me by e-mail.

It is important to contact the nurse if your child has any health problems. Please note that for your child's protection, certain serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, seizure disorder and severe allergies are made known in a confidential manner to appropriate faculty and staff members on a need to know basis and the transportation director. This will ensure that these individuals can properly respond in the event of a medical emergency.

Immunizations:

The minimum immunization requirements for attendance at HCDS are as follows

*3 doses Diphtheria (DPT,DTaP, DT or Td)

*3 doses Polio (OPV, IPV)

*2 doses MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella)1ST SHOT MUST BE AFTER CHILD'S 1ST BIRTHDAY!

*3 doses Hepatitis B (Children born on or after January 1, 1993)

*1 dose Varicella or physician verification of having disease. Must be after child's first birthday

Please include the month, day and year.