Mandated Physical Examinations
New York State law requires parents or guardians to furnish a certificate of physical examination for all new students and for students in grades kindergarten, 2, 4, 7, and 10, and for those students participating in sports, requiring special education services, or seeking work permits. It may take over a month to schedule examinations with private providers during busy seasons such as the summer and before sports. Please, plan ahead.
The Board of Education recommends that your own physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner conduct all examinations for optimal continuity of care. If you require, but cannot afford health insurance to secure private health care for your child, please contact the school nurse for confidential assistance in applying for Child Health Plus. Affordable health care is available at each area hospital’s child and teen clinic and at Rochester Primary Care Network at Rochester Primary Care Network 259 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, New York 14607.
A physical exam is valid for twelve months through the last day of the month in which the exam was conducted and is valid for an entire school year for new entrants and mandated exams as well as the entire sport season for interscholastic sports even if the exam expires during those time frames. Students wishing to participate in interscholastic sports must have proof of their updated health exam, including vision, and tetanus vaccine in their school’s health office before the sport begins so the clearance process has time to take place. Physical certificates completed by your private physician may be faxed to the school Health Office at (high school numbers) or (middle school numbers).
In the rare event that a family does not supply a valid certificate of private examination, a physical examination may be conducted in the school by scheduled appointment at the convenience of the district and with prior written parental informed consent. Though announcements are made daily to remind your child to check his/her health clearance status with the school nurse prior to the start of sport seasons, it is always a good idea to remind your child what is needed if you know he/she intends to participate in a sport, so last minute scrambling is avoided for everyone. A parent has the right to attend these examinations and/or to review history questions asked of your child. Please make prior arrangements with the school nurse.
