Health Services

School Health Services personnel care for the emotional as well as the physical needs of all children in the City School District of Albany. Parents and guardians should contact the nurse in their child's school if they have concerns or to report any changes in the health status of their child.

It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to inform the school of any contagious diseases, changes in health status or unusual health concerns that a child may have. With this information, we are better able to meet the health and safety needs of your child.

We are committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children’s health, well-being and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity.

The district formed a Wellness Committee represented by administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents and community members. That committee reviewed existing programs and practices, identified needs and established goals that would promote a healthy school community. Those goals are reflected in the district's Wellness Policy.

New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164, mandates that schools not permit a child to be admitted unless the parents/guardians provide the school with a certificate of immunization or proof from a physician that the child is in the process of receiving the required immunizations.

View the full list of required immunizations here.

Education Law (Section 903) and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education require physical examinations of children multiple times throughout their academic careers.

Learn more about physicals and when they are required here.

If your child's doctor feels it is necessary for medication to be administered to your child in school, contact your child's school health office to obtain a "Medication Permission" form or download it from above. 

To administer medication to students in school, the following steps must be taken for both prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

1. Obtain written order from your child's physician. The pharmacy label does not constitute a written order. Faxed requests from licensed physicians are acceptable. Verbal permissions from a physician to administer medication are not acceptable.
2. Submit your written request that medication be administered to your child in school as ordered by his/her physician.
3. Deliver your child's medication directly to the Health Office in the original, properly labeled container. (Parents/guardians should ask the pharmacist for two containers, one to remain at home and one at school. Medications cannot be carried by students on school buses or on their person during the school day.)

Influenza (also known as flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. Flu is different from a cold, and usually comes on suddenly.

For more information, view the Center for Disease Control's flu guide for parents.

In addition to physicals and immunizations, there are additional screenings required by state law, including vision, hearing and lead.

Learn more about additional health screenings here.

If for any reason a child is unable to participate in the district's physical education program, the parent/guardian must provide appropriate documentation from the attending physician indicating the problem, the specific limitations and the duration of those limitations.

If a child is to be excused from the regular physical education program for more than two weeks, the parent/guardian must obtain information from the attending physician regarding the students' ability to participate in an adaptive physical education program.

Download the form above, of vist the Health Office at your child's school.

• Mobile Dental Health Services. A partnership with St. Peter's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
• Seal a Smile. A partnership of the Healthy Capital District Initiative and Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Services.
• School-based Health Centers. A partnership with Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Services.
• Child Health Plus. Does your child have health insurance? Follow this link for information.