Message From The Center and Dr. Marino, NYSCSH Medical Director Consultant

Recommendations, guidelines and the knowledge-base itself regarding COVID-19 is changing rapidly. Information shared by agencies and experts can be contradictory and often does not provide detailed guidance for all aspects of school operations. As School Medical Directors, our ability to remain flexible will be critical in the coming months as we continue to provide consultation and leadership to our school communities. Please let us know how we can support you. Email us at nyscsh@monroe2boces.org or use the Online Assistance Form.

Join with us in taking the pledge to #ThinkCheckCorrect
See how you can be part of the solution by taking a selfie or video with one of our pledge cards and posting it to our FB Medical Director Group! All you need to participate is provided below. Be part of the solution to communication confusion!

Connect with Us
Subscribe to our Health Information Portal for Medical Directors to receive updates and resources from the Center and NYSED

Connect with Each Other
Like and follow the NYSCSH FB page for additional resources. Join the School Medical Directors FB Group to connect with your colleagues and share your ideas and challenges.

Sports Season Reminders from the NYS Public High School Athletic Association

March 1st
Low/ Moderate risk Fall Season II sports official start date is Monday, March 1st. Sections have the authority to determine a later start date. High-risk sports are not permitted until authorization is received from state officials.
April 19th
Low/ Moderate risk spring sports official start date will be Monday, April 19th. Sections have the authority to determine a later start date. High-risk sports are not permitted until authorization is received from state officials.

News You Can Use

1/5/21 | AAP Continues To Advocate Measures To Allow Students To Return Safely To School

The AAP has updated its interim guidance on measures schools can take during the COVID-19 pandemic to conduct classes safely in person, which is critical to students’ well-being.

The school guidance, which is available at https://bit.ly/2BMPtW5, is one of two guidance documents that were updated today. The other addresses emotional and behavioral health during the pandemic.

The school guidance details the important role schools play in children’s educational, social, physical and emotional development as well as being a source of special services and nutrition. Without access to the support systems schools provide, disparities among students who are Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native and living in poverty will continue to widen, according to the AAP.The guidance presents new research findings that schools have not been a significant driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in their communities when they take safety precautions. Transmission has been especially low among younger children.

Read the entire article here.
12/20/20 | Sample NYSCSH Non-Patient Specific Order and Consent for Testing Forms

NYSCSH COVID-19 Sample Resources now include Sample School COVID-19 Testing Consent Form Instructions, Sample Non-Patient Specific Order for Testing, and Sample Your Child was Seen in the Health Office Due to Symptoms of COVID-19 that may be adapted for use after approval by the school medical director. They are located on the NYSCSH Communicable Disease | Illness | Injury Notifications | Consents | Non-Patient Specific Orders page of the website.
12/17/20 | COVID -19 Athletic Sample Protocol Resources

Athletic Resources

Golisano Children's Hospital (GCH) and healthcare partners have provided the community with a sample protocol for children returning to sports activities. This document contains interim suggested guidance based on current information available to inform assessment and risk stratification for release to participate in physical education, sports, and moderate to vigorous play for pediatric patients. (12/17/20).
12/15/20 | Updated Interval Health History With COVID-19 Questions Now Available
Interval Health History Forms-This form may be modified by local school districts. If modified, it should be reviewed and approved by the School Medical Director and Administration prior to use.
11/04/20 | COVID Testing in Schools Information for Medical Directors (includes CLIA Waivers)

If your school district is considering in-school COIVD -19 testing you must obtain a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) waiver or a Limited-Service Laboratory(LSL) request. Click here to access COVID Testing for School information which provides information and resources on what it is required to perform COVID testing in schools.

Any questions can be directed to the NYSODH Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program (518) 485-5378 or clep@health.ny.gov
10/26/20 | Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the Athletic HeartEmerging Perspectives on Pathology, Risks, and Return to Play (JAMA Network)

Special Communication October 26, 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the Athletic HeartEmerging Perspectives on Pathology, Risks, and Return to Play

Jonathan H. Kim, MD, MSc¹; Benjamin D. Levine, MD^2,3; Dermot Phelan, MD, PhD⁴; et alMichael S. Emery, MD, MS⁵; Mathew W. Martinez, MD⁶; Eugene H. Chung, MD, MSc⁷; Paul D. Thompson, MD⁸; Aaron L. Baggish, MD⁹

Author Affiliations Article Information JAMA Cardiol. Published online October 26, 2020.

Cardiac injury with attendant negative prognostic implications is common among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Whether cardiac injury, including myocarditis, also occurs with asymptomatic or mild-severity COVID-19 infection is uncertain. There is an ongoing concern about COVID-19–associated cardiac pathology among athletes because myocarditis is an important cause of sudden cardiac death during exercise.

Read the article here.

Professional Organization Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Academy of Family Physicians

American College of Physicians

American Association of Nurse Practitioners

NYSCSH Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Provides answers to questions being sent to the Center and NYSED. This page is updated continuously as new information is provided.

Comments (-1)
NYSCSH Hand Sanitizer Resources- Use of Hand Sanitizer in the School Setting

Sample school protocol which includes: product selection, handling, storage, procedures for use, parent, student, and staff education and sample notification form. This resource should be reviewed by your district medical director and school administrator. (3/4/20)

Comments (-1)
NYSDOH Health Care Provider Page

This page contains resources for NYS healthcare providers. It includes recorded webinars of the weekly provider updates and other resources.

Comments (-1)
ThinkCheckCorrect | Finding, Evaluating and Using Credible Health Information

Your knowledge and expertise make you a key health resource for your school staff, students and families. Take the pledge to #ThinkCheckCorrect and commit to making sure that any information you share is correct, credible and current before sharing it with others and teach others to do the same.

Comments (-1)

Please call your local health department for specific guidance regarding the management of students or staff who exhibit symptoms or are diagnosed with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Directory of local NYS Department of Health

NYSDOH 2019 Novel Coronavirus Hotline 1-888-364-3065

Last Modified on Wednesday at 11:10 AM

New York State Center for School Health

Supporting Student Success Through Health and Education

Resources

Message From The Center and Dr. Marino, NYSCSH Medical Director Consultant

News You Can Use

1/5/21 | AAP Continues To Advocate Measures To Allow Students To Return Safely To School

12/20/20 | Sample NYSCSH Non-Patient Specific Order and Consent for Testing Forms

12/17/20 | COVID -19 Athletic Sample Protocol Resources

12/15/20 | Updated Interval Health History With COVID-19 Questions Now Available

11/04/20 | COVID Testing in Schools Information for Medical Directors (includes CLIA Waivers)

10/26/20 | Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the Athletic HeartEmerging Perspectives on Pathology, Risks, and Return to Play (JAMA Network)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the Athletic HeartEmerging Perspectives on Pathology, Risks, and Return to Play

Professional Organization Resources

NYSCSH Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

NYSCSH Hand Sanitizer Resources- Use of Hand Sanitizer in the School Setting

NYSDOH Health Care Provider Page

ThinkCheckCorrect | Finding, Evaluating and Using Credible Health Information