Nurse News

Meet Our School Nurse:

I'm Kathy Honsinger the nurse at St. Mary's Academy. I am a graduate of St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Syracuse. I worked at St. Joseph's Hospital for 10 years before coming to SMA. The most rewarding aspect about being at St. Mary's is that it's a wonderful place to work and to be around a very caring staff and amazing kids!

Below you will find helpful information and links to required forms needed to be registered at St. Mary's Academy and other forms that may be required on a situational basis.

Nurse's Notes:

Be A Fit Kid

There's a lot of discussion these days about fit kids. People who care (parents, doctors, teachers, and others) want to know how to help kids be more fit. Being fit is a way to saying a person eats well, gets a lot of physical activity, and has a healthy weight. If you're fit, your body feels good, and you can do all the things you want to do! There are 5 rules to live by to make sure you stay fit:

1. Drink water and milk most often - cold water is the best thirst quencher an dkids need calcium to build strong bones.

2. Listen to your body - when you're eating, notice how your body feels when your stomach feels comfortably full.

3. Limit screen time - limit the time you spend watching TV, playing video games and using the computer. Try not to spend more than 2 hours a day on screen time (this does not include computer use related to school)

4. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables - you may have a favorite food, but the best choice is variety. If you eat different foods, you're more likely to get the nutrients your body needs.

5. Be active - ask your parents to help you find ways to be active every day - it is your one job and it's a fun one! Figure out which activity you like best!

~ Kids Health

Health Notice:

All students who are ill must stay home until they are free of symptoms. The following are guidelines from The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Students should stay home for at lease 24 hours after they are free of: fever (100 F), or signs of a fever without the use of fever reducting medicines (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc.), sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea. Students should stay home even if they are using anti-viral drugs. 

Students exhibiting these symptoms should not attend or participate in settings outside of school, such as extracurricular sports or clubs.

Always seek medical advice from your Health Care Provider.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Required Forms for New Students:

For us to get a summary of your child's health, please print the Health History Form and return to St. Mary's Academy prior to the start of school.

Education Law and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education require physical examination of all children when they enter the school district for the first time. The exam "shall not be performed more than 12 months prior to the start of the school year in which the exam is required". St. Mary's Academy can provide free access to a phyical exam; a physical with the child's primary provider (duly licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practicioner) is preferred. A Health Appraisal Form is required to be completed and signed by the person performing the exam. Proof of immunizations is mandatory. The Immunization Law contains information on the minimum requirements.

Additionally, New York State Education Law requires physical examinations of children when they: 

• Enter the school district for the first time (including Kindergarten)
• Are in grades 2, 4, 7 and 10
• Participate in interscholastic sports, yearly
• Need working papers
• Are referred by/to the Committee on Special Education
• Are in need of a physical to determine the child's education program

The Physical Exam Information Form is provided to update your school on the status of our childs physical.

New York State Law (Chapter 281) permits schools to request a dental examination in the following grades: school entry, K, 2, 4, 7 and 10. Please print and bring the Dental Health Certification Form to your child's dentist to be signed, completed and returned to St. Mary's Academy.

Occasionally it may be necessary for a student to take prescription or nonprescription medication during school hours. Please review our Guidelines For Internal Medication & Tube Feedings. If additional information is needed, please see the appropriate forms below:

Additional Forms:

Under special circumstances, additional forms may be required. Please check with Mrs. Honsinger for which form is needed by contacting the school.

Authorization for Administration of Medication in School Form

Allergic Reaction/Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan - Page 1

Allergic Reaction/Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan - Page 2

Asthma Student Action Information - Page 1

Asthma Student Action Information - Page 2

Post-Procedure Instructions for School

Additional Information:

Scoliosis