Health Services
| Medical Director Ted J. Triana, D.O. Director of School Health Services Nancy Bailey, MS, PNP-BC, NCSN |
| Physical Adress 104 Central Office 725 Harrison St. Syracuse, NY 13210 |
| Mailing Address Health Services Department 1025 Erie Blvd. Syracuse, NY 13204 |
| Contact info: Phone: (315) 435-4145 Fax: (315) 435-4859 healthservices@scsd.us |
About the SCSD Office of Health Services
The Health Services department staff includes 51 nurses working directly with students in the schools with 32 health aides supporting the nursing staff with clerical services and basic first aid. The school nurses provide care for the majority of the health issues seen in our schools. They are a compassionate and passionate group working to keep your child healthy.
Health Services monitors physical exams and hearing and vision screenings for mandated grades. The department also approves transportation and homebound instruction for medical reasons. Additionally, we provide medical reviews and clearances for employees returning to work after illness.
Comprehensive health services are offered at eight of our schools: STEAM @ Dr. King Elementary , Dr. Weeks Elementary , Delaware, PSLA at Fowler, HW Smith, Syracuse STEM at Blodgett, Franklin Elementary, and Grant Middle School. For more information, please visit our School Based Health Centers Page.
Updated COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Guidance
Please note: this is updated guidance as of March 2024.
Following the change in guidance from the CDC and the NYS Department of Health, the Syracuse City School District is revising its guidance for when to stay home and when staff and students can return to work or school. These SCSD updated guidelines pertain to respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- Individuals should stay home and away from others, including people they live with who are not sick, if they have respiratory virus symptoms that are not better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache.
- Individuals can go back to work, school, and normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true:
- Symptoms are getting better overall, and
- They no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- When going back to normal activities, staff and students should take added precautions over the next 5 days, including taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and testing when they will be around other people, especially older adults, young children, and those with weakened immune systems. Children under age 2 should never wear a mask.
- Keep in mind that people may still be able to spread the virus that made them sick, even if they are feeling better, so it is important to take extra precautions after resuming normal activities.
- If individuals develop a fever or start to feel worse, they should stay home and away from others again. They should use the same criteria for returning to normal activities as when they first had symptoms and take added precautions over the next 5 days.
- There is no longer quarantining for those exposed to COVID-19. However, it is recommended an individual wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
- At-home COVID-19 tests are available upon request from your school’s main office.
- At-home COVID-19 tests must be done at home and not at work or school.
Immunization requirements for school attendance
As a reminder, immunization requirements for students must be met for school attendance. A student may not be permitted to attend school without proof of required immunizations. There is a 14 day grace period following the 1st day of school to provide documentation of required immunizations. For those students who are transferring from out-of-state or from another country and can show a good faith effort to get the necessary evidence of immunization(s) there is a 30 day grace period.
Please click here for more information!
Health Screenings
Health Appraisals and screenings are required for new students and at mandated grade levels.
- Scoliosis screening for girls in grades 5 & 7 and boys in grades 9.
- Vision screening for distance, near vision acuity & color perception required within 6 months of admission to school; distance & near vision acuity in grades Pre K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, and at any other time deemed necessary.
- Hearing screening to all students within six months of admission to the school and in grades Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11, and at any other time deemed necessary.
- Physical exams for all new students to the district and in grades Pre-K or K, 1,3,5,7,9 and 11.
- All student athletes and students needing working papers are required to have a physical preferably performed by their own healthcare provider and completed within one year of the beginning of the athletic season or employment.
New Cardiac Arrest Prevention Information
The Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act is a new law as of July 1, 2022. This law requires schools, students, and parents/guardians have information on sudden cardiac arrest risks, signs, and symptoms.
Please note that sudden cardiac arrest in children and youth is rare. The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) on the playing field is 0.61 in 100,000. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is an emergency that happens when the heart suddenly stops working. SCA can cause death if not treated immediately, and even with treatment death may occur. Immediate treatment is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED). All public schools must have a staff member trained in the use of CPR and AED in school and at all school athletic events.
Preventing SCA before it happens is the best way to save a life. Both your family health history and your child’s personal history must be told to healthcare providers to help them know if your child is at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Ask your child if they are having any of the symptoms listed below and tell a healthcare provider. Know your family history and tell a healthcare provider of any risk factors listed below.
The signs or symptoms are:
- Fainting or seizure, especially during or right after exercise or with excitement or startled
- Racing heart, palpitations, or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or extreme fatigue with exercise
- Chest pain or discomfort with exercise
- Excessive shortness of breath during exercise
- Excessive, unexpected fatigue during or after exercise
- Use of diet pills, performance-enhancing supplements, energy drinks, or drugs such as cocaine, inhalants, or “recreational” drugs.
- Elevated blood pressure or cholesterol
- History of health care provider ordered test(s) for heart related issues
- Family history of known heart abnormalities or sudden death before 50 years of age
- Family members with unexplained fainting, seizures, drowning, near drowning or car accidents before 50 years of age
- Structural heart abnormality, repaired or unrepaired
- Any relative diagnosed with the following conditions:
- Enlarged Heart/ Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy/Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
- Heart rhythm problems, long or short QT interval
- Brugada Syndrome
- Catecholaminergic Ventricular Tachycardia
- Marfan Syndrome- aortic rupture
- Heart attack at 50 years or younger
- Pacemaker or implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD)
Finally, the law requires any student who has signs and symptoms of pending SCA be removed from athletic activity until seen by a physician. The physician must provide written clearance to the school for the student to be able to return to athletics.
Please contact the State Education Department’s Office of Student Support Services for questions at studentsupportservices@nysed.gov or 518-486-6090.
Important Note to Families: Religious exemption from immunizations for religious reasons
On June 13, 2019, the New York State Legislature passed an amendment to public health law section 2164, eliminating the exemption from immunizations due to religious beliefs for school attendance. The new law is effective immediately. All families of previously exempt students will receive a letter with more details on what is now required.
Upstate Triage line (315) 464-3979
