Contact Information
Renae Sawyer
School Nurse
(518) 273-1422 ext. 1
Charisse Abellard-Knight (She/Her)
Clinician, School-Based Behavioral Health, Green Island UFSD
Northern Rivers Family of Service
Mental Health Clinic Information
Research proves that students with access to behavioral health services in school-based health centers are ten times more likely to seek care for mental health or substance abuse than those who do not. Green Island UFSD is partnering with Northern Rivers, providing the following services both individually and in the classroom:
- Individual counseling
- Family counseling
- Group counseling
- Behavioral intervention
- Family support services
Case management, psychiatric consultation, and medication management for children are available as complementary services to the counseling.
School personnel, including the principal and school social worker, can access services for a child and family. Parents or caregivers may also directly contact one of our Behavioral Health Centers to inquire on additional options or for more information.
Our school-based behavioral health offices are open whenever school is in session. Services continue throughout the year including all vacations and summer months. After hours and during vacation periods, our staff can be reached by cell phone.
Immunizations information
Physicals
Physical exams must be done on all students who are new to the district, and students in Prek or Kindergarten, and grades 1,3,5,7,9,11 per NYS law. If your child has had a recent physical by his/her own physician, please send in the documentation. If a copy is not received, your child will be scheduled with our school physician for a physical.
BMI Exclusion
As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed, and his/her height is
measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’. The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low. Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination. A sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health. If our school is selected to be part of the survey, we will be reporting to New York State Department of Health information about our students’ weight status groups. Only summary information is sent. No names and no information about individual students are sent. However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report. The information sent to the New York State Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier.
If you do not wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the
Health Department’s survey this year, please print and sign this form and return by January 2, 2025 to the health office.
Vision, Hearing & Scoliosis Screenings
- Vision screening will be provided for students who are new to the district, and in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11 if not included in their physical.
- Hearing screening will be provided for students who are new to the district and in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11 if not included in their physical.
- Scoliosis is screened for Boys in Grade 9 and Girls in Grades 5 & 7 if not included in their physical.
Referrals are made in accordance with screening results.
Dental Form
Dental Health Certificates are recommended and requested to be returned for all students who are new to the district, and students in PreK or Kindergarten, and grades 1,3,5,7,9,11. A list of dental practices, dentists and registered dental hygienists to which children may be referred for dental services on a free or reduced cost basis is available upon request.
Medications
Medications administered at school must have:
- A written order from physician including diagnosis, medication, dose, frequency and time for giving medication
- A written request from the parent to administer medication as ordered
- The original, labeled bottle from the pharmacy.
- If over the counter medication (i.e., Tylenol, Motrin), parents must provide student’s own bottle with name labeled.
A new order and parental permission are required each school year and the medication must be delivered to the nurse by the parent or guardian. Students are not allowed to keep medication on them unless ordered by the physician for age-appropriate students. This includes cough drops and OTC medications.