Health & Attendance

The district is committed to providing students with the comprehensive education and support that meets their health and wellness needs. This commitment is reflected by our school nurses,  wellness policy,  health & physical education curricula, and ongoing attendance initiatives.

Automatic Phone Messages
When a student is absent from school, parents/guardians will receive a call from the automated school message system. Attendance calls go to the home phone number listed in the student records.
Absence Note:  A written excuse, signed by parent/guardian, should be presented by the student on the day her or she returns to school.

Excused vs Unexcused Absences
 

District Attendance Policy
Attendance is a critical factor for educational success. Regular attendance and punctuality will improve a student’s grades, enthusiasm for education, involvement in school activities, and social life. District Attendance Policy
 

As early as kindergarten, too many absences can cause a child to start to fall behind.
Click here for tips to develop good attendance habits and strategies to encourage children to avoid missing school.
 

Flu shots recommended for all children
Flu season is on its way. This year, the Orange County Health Department and the Orange County Medical Society are recommending all children, ages 6 months to 18 years, receive the flu (influenza) vaccine or FluMist.
Click here to read the Health Department letter.   

Helpful Information
Seasonal Flu Guide for Parents - Prepared by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), this brochure contains helpful information about the flu, including how to protect your child and what to do if your is sick. 
Flu.gov - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Web Site dedicated to providing families, schools & communities with helpful, up-to-date information about the flu. 

Port Jervis must submit student weight/health data this year to NYS Health Department
New York State Education Law requires districts to weigh and measure students during their required school health examinations. These numbers are used by the school doctor and nurse to calculate student body mass index (BMI) and determine if a student's weight is in the healthy range for his/her height and age group. Port Jervis was selected to provide a summary report during the 2011-12 school year for students who were in grades kindergarten, 2, 4, 7 and 10 in 2010-11. MORE

IMMUNIZATIONS
New York State law requires all students to be immunized against polio, rubella, hepatitis B, diphtheria, mumps, and measles. Proof of immunization for new students must be presented for admission.

Pre-K children born on or after Jan. 1, 2000, and sixth graders born on or after Jan. 1, 1994, must be immunized for varicella unless parents can present proof of vaccination or a doctor's note verifying the date the child had the chicken pox disease. Students entering sixth grade, who are 11 years or older, must receive the Tdap vaccine.

Free immunizations available
All required shots are available from family doctors or at the free Orange County immunization clinic.
  150 Pike Street, Port Jervis  
  First Wednesday of every month
  9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
  Appointments are required, 845-291-2369

FLUORIDE DISTRIBUTION
The district, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Health, is offering elementary students (grades K-6) a free supplemental fluoride tablet program to help reduce the risk of tooth decay. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends fluoride supplements for children who live in communities with less than optimum levels of fluoride in their drinking water. The fluoride tablets are distributed daily to students in grades K-6 under direct supervision. 

SPORTS PHYSICALS
Students who do not have a physical will be considered ineligible for sports until they are cleared by the nursing staff. Athletes need to bring the required sports forms, signed by their parents, with them to the physical.

The sports forms can be downloaded below or obtained in advance from the Middle School or High School Health Offices. Questions can be directed to the PJHS Health Office, 858-3100, Ext. 11700, or the Athletic Office, 845-858-3100, Ext. 11880.

• District Health Form  (PDF)

• Athletic Interval Health Form (PDF)

• Athletic Health History Form  (PDF)

• Medical Insurance Form (PDF)

• District Attendance Policy

• Excused vs
Unexcused Absences

• Build Habit of
Good Attendance
 

• District Health History Form

• District Health & Sports Physical Form

• Athletic Health History Form

• Medication
Release Form

• Medical
Insurance Form

• School Health Screenings

• District Wellness Policy

• Orange County
Health Department

• Community Health Outreach

• NY State  Department
of Health 

• Alcohol & Drug
Information