School and Student Services

Assistive Technology is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a person with a disability.

Asthma : More than 10% of our elementary school children suffer from asthma. By ensuring that students have an appropriate plan for treating asthma, we can improve health and reduce school absences.

Condom Availability Program : As part of the mandated New York City DOE HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, all high schools are required to have a Health Resource Room where free condoms, health information, and health referrals are available to students.

Dental Health: Many schools host dental clinics operated by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or by other providers. Services available at these clinics range from dental screenings to orthodontics.

Health Services/Section 504 Accommodation : The Office of School Health (OSH) manages the processes surrounding students needing medication administration, medically-prescribed treatment, diabetes management, and other Section 504 and Individualized Education Program (IEP) services.

Mental Health : School-based mental health services play a vital role in addressing behavioral and emotional difficulties that threaten to interfere with a child’s ability to perform academically. When left untreated, children’s mental health problems may interfere with their readiness and motivation to learn. OSH facilitates partnerships with mental health providers by enhancing the accessibility of mental health resources and programs in our schools. Our goal is to implement and create effective ways of increasing school-based access to mental health services for underserved youth populations.

School-Based Health Centers : There are approximately 120 School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) serving over 200 schools. SBHCs bring the services of a doctor's office to the school so students avoid health-related absences and get support to succeed in the classroom. When a child is healthy they are more likely to perform better and learn more. Poor health has a direct impact on a student’s ability to learn and succeed in school.

School Nurses: OSH places nurses in approximately 60% of NYCDOE schools each year. School nurses provide first aid services to all students, and also provide skilled nursing services to those students with a documented need.

Vision and Hearing Screening : OSH is improving its vision and hearing programs to ensure that all children are screened, and that those with serious vision or hearing problems receive the evaluation and treatment they need. National data indicate that about 25% of students need glasses by the time they reach high school. Furthermore, about 3% of children suffer from amblyopia, a condition that may result in blindness in one eye if not detected and treated before age seven.

Health Related Topics

Communicable Disease/ Environmental & Food-Borne Illnesses: In suspected cases of communicable disease, environmental illness, or food-borne illness, schools will immediately notify OSH, which will conduct an investigation. If the investigation results indicate that notification of the school community is warranted, OSH will provide principals with letters to be distributed in classrooms and through the regular mail.

Obesity: Almost half of elementary school children are overweight and obese. Many are not physically fit. DOE has developed several initiatives to deal with these issues. OSH is developing and overseeing the implementation of a new fitness program for NYC schools. In addition to the fitness initiatives, OSH works with the School Food program to improve the quality of student meals and encourage participation in the universal free breakfast program.

Pediculosis (Head Lice).

Staph / MRSA:

Guidelines for Schools on Preventing Staph/MRSA Infections

Sample Letter to Parents - (for Principals)
This letter is also available in Arabic | Bengali | Chinese | Korean | Spanish | Urdu

Information on MRSA for School Health Professionals

Letter to Principals and Parent Coordinators (10-29-07)

Letter to Community Members - English (10-30-07)
This letter is also available in Albanian | Arabic | Bengali | Chinese | Hatian-Creole | Korean | Polish | Punjabi
Russian | Spanish | Turkish | Urdu

Questions and Answers: STAPH/MRSA Skin Infections -- Updated 10/31/07
This document is also available in Arabic | Bengali | Chinese | Hatian-Creole | Korean | Russian | Spanish | Urdu

Children Under 12 years Handwashing Poster

Adult Handwashing Poster

CDC: Questions and Answers About MRSA in Schools

Bureau of Communicable Disease - NYCDOHMH - MRSA STAPH Infection

About Us Academics Choices & Enrollment Schools in the Community Offices & Programs Rules & Policies Student Support, Safety & Activities Academic Support Non-Academic Support Health Entry Requirements School and Student Services General Programs and Services Forms and Resources School Food District 79 Alternative Schools & Programs Transportation Child Abuse Students in Temporary Housing Gang Prevention and Intervention Guidance and Counseling Student Attendance Homework Resources After School Safety and Discipline Performance & Accountability	School and Student Services Assistive Technology is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a person with a disability. Asthma : More than 10% of our elementary school children suffer from asthma. By ensuring that students have an appropriate plan for treating asthma, we can improve health and reduce school absences. Condom Availability Program : As part of the mandated New York City DOE HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, all high schools are required to have a Health Resource Room where free condoms, health information, and health referrals are available to students. Dental Health: Many schools host dental clinics operated by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or by other providers. Services available at these clinics range from dental screenings to orthodontics. Health Services/Section 504 Accommodation : The Office of School Health (OSH) manages the processes surrounding students needing medication administration, medically-prescribed treatment, diabetes management, and other Section 504 and Individualized Education Program (IEP) services. Mental Health : School-based mental health services play a vital role in addressing behavioral and emotional difficulties that threaten to interfere with a child’s ability to perform academically. When left untreated, children’s mental health problems may interfere with their readiness and motivation to learn. OSH facilitates partnerships with mental health providers by enhancing the accessibility of mental health resources and programs in our schools. Our goal is to implement and create effective ways of increasing school-based access to mental health services for underserved youth populations. School-Based Health Centers : There are approximately 120 School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) serving over 200 schools. SBHCs bring the services of a doctor's office to the school so students avoid health-related absences and get support to succeed in the classroom. When a child is healthy they are more likely to perform better and learn more. Poor health has a direct impact on a student’s ability to learn and succeed in school. School Nurses: OSH places nurses in approximately 60% of NYCDOE schools each year. School nurses provide first aid services to all students, and also provide skilled nursing services to those students with a documented need. Vision and Hearing Screening : OSH is improving its vision and hearing programs to ensure that all children are screened, and that those with serious vision or hearing problems receive the evaluation and treatment they need. National data indicate that about 25% of students need glasses by the time they reach high school. Furthermore, about 3% of children suffer from amblyopia, a condition that may result in blindness in one eye if not detected and treated before age seven. Health Related Topics Communicable Disease/ Environmental & Food-Borne Illnesses: In suspected cases of communicable disease, environmental illness, or food-borne illness, schools will immediately notify OSH, which will conduct an investigation. If the investigation results indicate that notification of the school community is warranted, OSH will provide principals with letters to be distributed in classrooms and through the regular mail. Obesity: Almost half of elementary school children are overweight and obese. Many are not physically fit. DOE has developed several initiatives to deal with these issues. OSH is developing and overseeing the implementation of a new fitness program for NYC schools. In addition to the fitness initiatives, OSH works with the School Food program to improve the quality of student meals and encourage participation in the universal free breakfast program. Pediculosis (Head Lice). Staph / MRSA: Guidelines for Schools on Preventing Staph/MRSA Infections Sample Letter to Parents - (for Principals) This letter is also available in Arabic \| Bengali \| Chinese \| Korean \| Spanish \| Urdu Information on MRSA for School Health Professionals Letter to Principals and Parent Coordinators (10-29-07) Letter to Community Members - English (10-30-07) This letter is also available in Albanian \| Arabic \| Bengali \| Chinese \| Hatian-Creole \| Korean \| Polish \| Punjabi Russian \| Spanish \| Turkish \| Urdu Questions and Answers: STAPH/MRSA Skin Infections -- Updated 10/31/07 This document is also available in Arabic \| Bengali \| Chinese \| Hatian-Creole \| Korean \| Russian \| Spanish \| Urdu Children Under 12 years Handwashing Poster Adult Handwashing Poster CDC: Questions and Answers About MRSA in Schools Bureau of Communicable Disease - NYCDOHMH - MRSA STAPH Infection