NYSED Guidelines and Memos by Content Area
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Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management (including Epinephrine)
School districts must develop guidelines and procedures to be followed for the prevention of anaphylaxis and during a medical emergency resulting from anaphylaxis in the school. This section contains regulations, guidelines, and memos related to anaphylaxis management and epinephrine use in schools. Includes NYSDOH Public Health Laws related to this topic.
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Asthma (includes stocking and providing Albuterol)
Laws, Memos and Guidelines for managing students with asthma in the school setting
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Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Each school district, BOCES, county vocational education and extension board and charter school shall provide and maintain on-site in each instructional school facility functional cardiac automated external defibrillator equipment for use during emergencies. This describes the process of having AEDs
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Hands-Only CPR and AED Instruction-Section 100.2(c)(11) of Commissioner’s Regulations requires that all students complete hands-only instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and instruction in the use of AEDs at least once between grades 9-12 prior to graduation
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Child Abuse | Child Protective Services
It is critically importance to report and investigate of allegations of child abuse or neglect, and take appropriate steps to protect children from abuse. This page includes laws and memos regarding child abuse
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Code of Conduct
Review of Code of Conduct to Include Synthetic Cannabinoids (Marijuana) as
Illegal Substances -
Communicable Disease
Guidance from NYSDOH and NYSED concerning communicable diseases in the school setting
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Concussion
The Concussion Management and Awareness Act requires the creation of rules and regulations related to students who sustain a concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). This Guideline gives direction for schools to follow.
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Dental Health Certificates
A dental health certificate is requested from each student when a health certificate is required. Education Law Section 903 addresses this.
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Diabetes (including Glucagon, insulin pumps, and training unlicensed staff)
Laws, Regulations, and memos pertaining to Diabetes, including blood glucose testing, insulin pumps and training
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Dignity for All Students Act - DASA
Provides information regarding the NYS Dignity Act(DASA) which seeks to provide public school students supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function.Includes memos and resource related to Transgender, Non-conforming students, and Immigration.
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E-Cigarettes and Tobacco Products
Guidance and resources from the NYSED and NYSDOH regarding e-cigarettes.
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Emergency Response Planning | Procedures
Guidance about School Emergency Response plans is detailed in these memos
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Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education and is detailed here
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Flu Vaccination and Education Resources
Regulatory requirements for posting of Influenza resources in schools by NYSDOH, NYSED Guidance and memos
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Foster Care
NYSED in collaboration with the Office of Children and Family Services has developed guidance and resources to assist school districts and LDSS in meeting the new requirements for ensuring educational stability for students in foster care.
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Hand Sanitizers, Soaps and Facilities Cleaning
Includes NYSED guidance on use of alcohol based hand sanitizer, hand soaps and cleaning of facilities.
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Health Examinations
School Health Examination Guidelines provides information on student health examination requirements and guidance for administrators and school health personnel in establishing the mandated health program.
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Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA)
HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act - provides an overview of HIPAA Privacy Rule, HIPAA Security Rule, HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, Patient Safety Rule, which protect identifiable information being used to analyze patient safety events and improve patient safety.
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Health Notifications To Parents/Guardians Regarding Illness or Ijury
NYSED Memo: Parent/Guardian Notifications Regarding Student Illness or Injury-States that schools should provide timely information to parents/guardians about student illness or injury so they may obtain appropriate care for their children.(10/13)
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Homeless | Displaced | Refugee Students
Resources and information for schools regarding rights of students under McKinney-Vento Act, Displaced students of natural disaster, foster care, adoption, or refugee circumstance.
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Immunizations
Immunization Guidelines for Schools provides a framework for developing policy and procedures that meet the immunization requirements for school attendance as defined in state law and regulation. Laws, guidelines and memos are included
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Laboratory Testing
NYSED Memo: Information on the Limited Service Laboratory Registration Certificate (June 2012). Describes the Public Health Law requirement that schools must obtain a certificate if performing laboratory tests such as blood glucose testing or urine dipstick testing. This memo was shared for informational purposes as the requirement will also be shared via a Medicaid Memo. No action is needed at this time
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Medications
NYSED Guidelines for Medication Management in Schools 2015 Provides a framework for developing policy and procedures that meet the requirements for medication administration in a school setting, both public and non-public, defined in state law and regulation. Memos regarding medication delivery are also here.
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Mental Health Education
An amendment to Health Education Law goes into effect July 2018. It will require mental health education as a part of a Health Education program. Here are some links to the law and resources for educators.
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Military Children-Interstate Compact On Educational Opportunity
Effective September 2017, if official education records cannot be released to the parents for purposes of transferring to another school, the custodian of the records in the sending state shall prepare and furnish to the parent a set of unofficial records. Upon receipt of the unofficial records by the school in the receiving state, the student must be enrolled and placement decisions must be made in accordance with the information on unofficial records and then later validated. It also requires that states that enter into the interstate compact, including New York State, give families 30 days from the date of enrollment to obtain any immunizations required by the receiving state.
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Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs and Naloxone
Heroin and opioid abuse continues to grow in NYS and throughout the nation. The NYSED Opioid Overdose Prevention Resources may be used in consultation with the school medical director, administration and school counsel in implementing a school or school district opioid overdose prevention program. Memos from NYSED and NYSDOH are listed as well
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Pre-Kindergarten Resources
Guidelines for Supporting Toilet Learning - NYSED Memo March 2016 responds to the many questions in regard to whether or not children must be toilet trained to attend a NYS-funded PreK or kindergarten program and Provision of Nursing Tasks and Health-Related Activities in Approved Preschool Special Education Settings for Children with Disabilities, Ages Three and Four Years - NYSED Memo January 1996 - Clarification of preschool special education program's responsibility regarding the provision of nursing tasks and health related activities.
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Pregnancy
Provides link to NYSED memo on SED position on responding to student disclosures of pregnancy.
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Restraints and Behavioral Interventions in Schools
Each school's code of conduct and discipline and behavioral interventions must be developed consistent with NYSED regulations that promote the use of positive behavioral supports and interventions and prohibit or limit use of certain types of behavioral interventions for students.
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Restroom Availability and Access and Feminine Hygiene Products in School
Includes memos on the requirement to provide students with sanitary facilities (restrooms) and make them available to building occupants at all times of occupancy. Schools must also provide feminine hygiene products in public schools. at no cost to students
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School Nurses | Nursing Services
Memos including: Provision of Nursing Tasks & Health-Related Activities in the School Setting for Students with Special Health Care Needs; Use of LPN & the Term "School Nurse in the School Settings 2004; Differentiated Scope of Practice of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Professional Nurses (RNs) 2009 and District Responsibilities in Hiring Self-Employed Nurse 2010
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Screening Guidelines | Resources
Screening Guidelines including Hearing, Vision and Scoliosis Resource. This page also provides a link to parent Notifications and Referral forms for screening results on the Forms|Notifications page.Screening Guidelines were last updated May 2018.
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Sepsis
Includes NYSED memos related to Sepsis and an overview of NYSED partnership with the Rory Staunton Foundation to create resources for schools to teach students about this severe infection.
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Sexual Health
Resources related to Part 23 of New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) regarding the right of minors to consent for sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV prevention and treatment services.
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Substance Abuse Education Materials and Resources For Implementation of Education Law §3038
Education Law §3038 requires the superintendent of each school district, in consultation with the local Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) District Superintendent (DS) where applicable, to designate an employee of the school district or BOCES to provide materials and/or resources upon request to any student, parent or staff regarding where and how to find available substance use related services.
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Ticks and Tick-borne Disease
Memos provided to schools on tick and tick born disease education and resources for schools.
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Toileting
This memorandum responds to the many questions our office receives in regard to whether or not children must be toilet trained to attend a New York State-funded prekindergarten (Pre-K) or kindergarten program
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Transgender and Gender Expansive Students
Guidance to School Districts for Creating a Safe and Supportive School Environment For Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students JULY 2015
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Trauma-Informed Care|Suicide Resources
NYS Education Department sent a memo: Resources for Schools on Trauma-Informed Care and Youth Witnessing a Suicide(1/18/17), sent to Superintendents of Public Schools and Administrators of Public, Charter, and Nonpublic Schools in response to a video recently streamed on social media and potential trauma for any youth viewing this video. School staff can help reduce the impact of trauma on students and their families by recognizing, responding and appropriately referring youth who may be experiencing trauma. To assist schools, NYSED has provided a list of resource materials and informational links in the memo.
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Tuberculosis
Schools may not require students to submit tuberculosis testing results to enter schools as it may have the effect of prohibiting or discouraging children, especially unaccompanied immigrant children, from enrolling in schools.
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Vagal Nerve Stimulator
"The State Board for Nursing has opined that the procedure of vagal nerve stimulation through use of a magnet is critical to the welfare of select children with seizure disorders. Unlicensed persons may apply this technique in school settings provided that such persons understand the particular child’s seizure patterns and are trained in the proper technique and potential side effects."
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Zika
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has worked with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to provide information to schools on available resources and information related to the Zika virus.