Health Services

Mrs. Denise Bolan, RPA-C
dbolan@newcombcsd.org

Denise Bolan, RPA-C is our school physician assistant. She is a summa cum laude graduate of the SUNY at Stony Brook's Physician Assistant Program where she received the Undergraduate Honor Award. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Bacteriology from Wagner College. She has been a physician assistant for 21 years and has worked in primary care, alcohol rehabilitation medicine, and clinical education. She was a Clinical Instructor at the SUNY Stony Brook PA Program for 4 years and was also HIV Program Coordinator for the Essex County Public Health Department for 2 years. Mrs. Bolan has been a member of the New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct (responsible for the discipline of physicians and physician assistants) since 1989, and was its Vice-chair for 4 years. Her time at NCS began in 1992 as a part-time employee, but since 2003 she has been providing full-time services.

Mrs. Bolan provides all the mandated health screenings for our students, such as hearing, vision and scoliosis. As a physician assistant, she is also able to perform all the physical examinations for our students and selected staff including:

Preparticipation exams for athletics
Committee on Special Education exams
Exams mandated for 2^nd, 4^th, 7^th & 10^th graders
Kindergarten exams
Entrance exams
Exams for working papers
School bus driver and cafeteria worker exams

Health services at NCS include:

Evaluation and treatment of ill or injured students and staff as is possible at school
Administration of medication as indicated
Health counseling and education
Illness surveillance
Development and implementation of health care plans for students with chronic conditions
Advisement/counseling for students regarding issues of sexuality, growth & development
Communication with parents around health issues for their child
Development/revision of health policies as indicated

Mrs. Bolan is also the school's attendance officer, issues working papers, and handles worker compensation.

Newcomb Central School District

Mrs. Christian Fisher, Superintendent of Schools

P.O. Box 418

5535 State Route 28N

Newcomb, New York 12852

Phone: 518-582-3341 Fax: 518-582-2163

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Dear Parent:

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 health provider know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low. New York State Education Law requires that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination. Annually, 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 based upon information submitted to the school from the previous year. Only summary information will be sent. No names and no information about individual students will be 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 your name below and return this form to Mrs. Bolan at school by Friday, December 18, 2020. If this form is not returned by that date, your child’s weight status information will be included in the survey.

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Please do NOT include my child’s weight status information in the 2020-2021 School Survey.

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Print Child’s Name Date

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Print Parent’s Name Parent’s Signature

Helpful Hints: Safe Hand Sanitizer Use

By now we are all well aware that washing our hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds (especially after using the restroom, before eating and after sneezing, blowing your nose, or coughing) is an important way to stop the transmission of the coronavirus.

But if soap and water are unavailable, the use of hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is recommended by the CDC. Hand sanitizer should not however replace the use of soap & water if hands are visibly dirty or greasy.

To be most effective, use a dime-sized amount of hand sanitizer and rub it all over your hands, including the backs of your hands and between the fingers. Rub it in until it has completely dried.

It is important to know that hand sanitizers are regulated as over-the-counter drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration, so please read and follow the information on the label, particularly in the warnings section.

Store hand sanitizers out of the reach of children and pets. Hand sanitizer should not be ingested; as even small amounts can cause alcohol poisoning. Particularly young children may be tempted to drink it due to the pleasant smell or brightly colored containers, so its use should be under adult supervision. However, if your child eats with or licks their hands after hand sanitizer has been used and rubbed in well, there is no need for concern.

I realize hand sanitizer has been difficult to find in stores due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. But PLEASE do NOT make your own hand sanitizer. If it is made incorrectly, it may not only be ineffective, but it can cause injury. There have already been reports of skin burns from homemade hand sanitizer. Also, adding alcohol to non-alcohol hand sanitizer will probably be ineffective; using disinfectant sprays and wipes (intended to clean surfaces) may also cause skin and eye irritations.

Stay well. Mrs. Bolan

Source: fda.gov