Middleburgh Central School District > Elementary School > Nurse’s Office

Nurse’s Office

Welcome to the Middleburgh Elementary School Health Office.

COVID-19 Return to School Protocol

For Individuals Displaying Symptoms of COVID-19

According to the Commissioner’s testing determination issued pursuant to 10 NYCRR 2.63, all students, teachers and staff with new or worsening symptoms must be excluded from school, regardless of vaccination status and either:

  • provide a negative COVID-19 test result or
  • remain excluded from school for a minimum of 10 calendar days from symptom onset

If symptoms are improving and an individual is fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, they may return to school with either:

  • a note from HCP indicating the negative test, or
  • a copy of the negative test result

Return to School Protocols for Students

Your child has been identified with symptoms which could be consistent with a COVID-19 diagnosis. We strongly recommend that you have your child seen by a healthcare provider or the local Department of Health, within 48 hours.

Per New York State Department of Health regulations, if you do not have your child evaluated by a healthcare provider or produce a negative COVID-19 test, within 48 hours of symptom onset, Middleburgh is required to report this to the Schoharie County Department of Health (SCDOH) for follow-up. Once reported, SCDOH will contact you to discuss the case and begin contact tracing.

The following describes the protocols the NYS Department of Health has put in place to ensure a safe return to school.

Return to School Protocols for Students

Your child has been identified with symptoms which could be consistent with a COVID-19 diagnosis. We strongly recommend that you have your child seen by a healthcare provider or the local Department of Health, within 48 hours.

Per New York State Department of Health regulations, if you do not have your child evaluated by a healthcare provider or produce a negative COVID-19 test, within 48 hours of symptom onset, Middleburgh is required to report this to the Schoharie County Department of Health (SCDOH) for follow-up. Once reported, SCDOH will contact you to discuss the case and begin contact tracing.

The following describes the protocols the NYS Department of Health has put in place to ensure a safe return to school.

If you choose to have your child evaluated by a healthcare provider within 48 hours and your child receives a negative COVID-19 test result:

  • Provide results of a Negative COVID-19 test (copy of lab results or physician documentation).
  • Ensure that all symptoms must be improving.
  • Ensure that the child is fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
  • Ensure that there is no vomiting or diarrhea for at least the previous 12 hours.

Please Note:

  • If your child is diagnosed with another health condition and prescribed an antibiotic, the child must complete 24 hours of the antibiotic medication prior to returning to school.
  • A Middleburgh nurse may be contacting you to inquire about the status of the child.

If you choose to have your child evaluated by a healthcare provider within 48 hours and your child receives a positive COVID-19 test result:

  • Obtain a written release from isolation from the local DOH, stating that the child is able to return to school, which is typically:
  • 10 days have passed since the date of the positive test or the first symptoms have appeared.
  • The child has been fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
  • The child’s symptoms are improving.
  • There has been no vomiting or diarrhea for at least the previous 12 hours.

Please note:

  •  While the ill person is in isolation, all members of the household must quarantine at home until released by the local health department, typically 14 days.
  •  If your child is diagnosed with another health condition and prescribed an antibiotic, the child must complete 24 hours of the antibiotic medication prior to returning to school.
  • A local health department will notify parent/school and provide an exact return to school date.
  • A Middleburgh nurse may be contacting you to inquire about the status of the child.

If you choose to have your child evaluated by a healthcare provider within 48 hours and your child receives a laboratory confirmed alternate diagnosis:

  • Obtain a written diagnosis from the healthcare provider for a laboratory confirmed acute illness (ex: laboratory-confirmed influenza, strep-throat, etc.).
  • The healthcare provider must indicate that COVID-19 is not suspected.
  • The note from the healthcare provider must detail the alternate diagnosis as well as a release to return to school.
  • Note: a signed note from a health care provider documenting an unconfirmed acute illness, such as a viral upper respiratory illness or viral gastroenteritis, will not suffice.

Please note:

  • A Middleburgh nurse may be contacting you to inquire about the status of the child.
  • If your child is diagnosed with a health condition and prescribed an antibiotic, the child must complete 24 hours of the antibiotic medication prior to returning to school.

If your child has a pre-existing condition that presents itself with COVID-19-like symptoms (runny nose, cough, etc.):

  • Obtain a written diagnosis from the healthcare provider of a known chronic condition with unchanged symptoms.
  • The note from the healthcare provider must detail the pre-existing condition, along with all-related symptoms, and must indicate that COVID-19 is not suspected.

If you choose NOT to have your child evaluated by a healthcare provider within 48 hours:

  • Your child must remain out of school for at least 10 calendar days after the first symptom is identified. At the end of the 10 days:
  • Ensure that all symptoms are improving.
  • Ensure that your child has been fever-free for 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

Please note:

  • Per New York State Department of Health regulations, if you do not have your child evaluated by a healthcare provider or produce a negative COVID-19 test, within 48 hours of symptom onset, Middleburgh is required to report this to the Schoharie County Department of Health (SCDOH) for follow-up.
  • Once reported, SCDOH will contact you to discuss the case and begin contact tracing.
  • A Middleburgh nurse may be contacting you to inquire about the status of the child.

COVID-19 Testing On Campus

Bassett’s School-Based healthcare practitioners have the ability to do COVID testing for any symptomatic student as long as you are enrolled in the school-based health program.

Our Bassett school based health center will be open when school is in session virtually or in-person. Telehealth visit options are also available. Please call 518-827-3793 or 844-255-7242 Mon – Fri 8:00-4:00 to schedule an appointment. Schedules are subject to change.

Other Local Testing Sites in Schoharie County:

·Bassett Healthcare Network, Cobleskill Regional Hospital: Appointment required, referral NOT required, tests limited to certain patients, drive through. 518-234-3456

· CVS Pharmacy, Cobleskill, NY: Appointment required, referral NOT required, drive through. 518-234-8150

Other Testing Sites Outside of County:

The following are Well Now Urgent Cares; no appointment or referral required:

· Well Now, Oneonta (rapid test): 5001 NY-23, Oneonta, NY (607-376-5346) 

· Well Now, Albany: 1438 Western Ave, Albany, NY (518-649-9986)

· Well Now, Clifton Park: 1694 U.S. 9, Clifton Park, NY (518-930-7496)

· Well Now, Latham: 800 New Loudon Rd, Latham, NY (518-218-4220)

· Well Now, Schenectady: 445 Balltown Rd., Schenectady, NY (518-264-9000)

Taking Medications in School

Here is a letter from the nurse to parents about the use of medicines at school.

NYS Guidelines: Every effort should be made to administer medications

Student Physicals

A physical is required for the following elementary school students:

  • New students registering at the elementary school
  • Pre-K students
  • Kindergarten students
  • First grade
  • Third grade
  • Fifth grade

School physicals may be done in the child’s birth month if required for
insurance purpose. Otherwise, they should be done prior to entering
appropriate grade levels.

Physicals can be done at the school if your child is enrolled in the school-based health center.

If the physical is done outside of school, please turn in completed physical to the school nurse along with any updated immunizations. To contact the School-Based Health Center, call 518- 827-3793.

Influenza

Here are some simple guidelines that can help protect you and your family:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (long enough for children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue. (If a tissue is used, throw the tissue away immediately).
  • Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
  • Stay home from activities if sick, and stay away from sick people until they are better. Your child may develop flu-like symptoms that include a fever of over 100.0 degrees F and a cough and sore throat. If that occurs, please contact your healthcare provider and follow medical advice before your child returns to group activities.

Medications

If medications are to be administered in school, they must be accompanied by a prescription from their primary care provider and a note from the parent or guardian giving permission for the medication to be taken at school.

All medications are to brought in a properly labeled container labeled with the student’s name, name of the medication, dose and strength, and what it is being given for, time medication is to be given, and student’s grade. This applies to all medications, including those sold over the counter such as Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Motrin and Advil (Ibuprofen).

Parents MUST bring medication to school nurse. It is not appropriate for students to carry medications on the bus or in their backpacks.

Please remember to pick up your child’s medication by the last day of school. Medications will not be sent home with students.

Dental Health

Another bill that has been passed by the New York State Assembly requests that students enrolling in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or first grade in a public elementary school present a dental health certificate. Such a dental certificate must contain a report of a comprehensive dental examination performed on the child.

Vaccinations and Physicals

Just a reminder that vaccinations can be given at the school-based health center as well as physicals. If you haven’t enrolled your child and would like an enrollment form, you can call the school nurse at 518-827-3686.

Please click here for the district’s policy on immunizations.