General Programs/Services and Other Information

E-mail to a friend

Wellness Policy

AED/CPR Program
New York State law requires that schools participate in an Automated External Defibrillator program. Each of our over 1400 schools is a Public Access Defibrillation site. OSH works with a vendor to provide service to the AED’s, and to provide CPR and AED training to our staff.
Automated Student Health Record (ASHR)
This tool is available in all elementary and intermediate schools. It has greatly expanded the ability of school nurses to care for students. It also assures that records are immediately available when a student transfers from one school to another.
Communicable Disease/ Environmental & Food-Borne Illnesses
In suspected cases of communicable disease, environmental illness, or food-borne illness, schools will immediately notify OSH, which will conduct an investigation. If the investigation results indicate that notification of the school community is warranted, OSH will provide principals with letters to be distributed in classrooms and through the regular mail.
Fitness
OSH is working closely with the Office of Fitness and Physical Education to implement a new fitness program. Components include the Physical Best curriculum, the NYC FITNESSGRAM Fitness Assessment program and a new middle school intramural/interscholastic sports and fitness league.
Health Education
OSH supports the efforts of the Office of Health Education and Family Living to implement comprehensive health education, including HIV/AIDS instruction; to collaborate with the NYC DOHMH on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and other initiatives; and to provide professional development and technical assistance to the field.
Health Insurance
Almost all children in New York City public schools are eligible for public health insurance at minimal or no cost. School records show that approximately 10% of our school children are uninsured. OSH collaborates with the Human Resources Administration to provide access to public health insurance to our students and their families through the schools.
Obesity
Almost half of elementary school children are overweight and obese. Many are not physically fit. DOE has developed several initiatives to deal with these issues. OSH is developing and overseeing the implementation of a new fitness program for NYC schools. In addition to the fitness initiatives, OSH works with the School Food program to improve the quality of student meals and encourage participation in the universal free breakfast program.
Pediculosis (Head Lice)
Vision and Hearing Screening
OSH is improving its vision and hearing programs to ensure that all children are screened, and that children with serious vision or hearing problems receive the evaluation and treatment they need. National data indicate that about 25% of students need glasses by the time they reach high school. Furthermore, about 3% of children suffer from amblyopia, a condition that may result in blindness in one eye if not detected and treated before age seven.
Wellness Policy
In response to a new federal requirement DOE has adopted a Wellness Policy. This policy seeks to promote the health and well-being of our students, while taking into account competing priorities and the availability of funds. DOE engaged students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, health professionals and other interested community members in policy development and review.

About Us Academics Choices & Enrollment Schools in the Community Offices & Programs Office of School Health Rules & Policies Student Support, Safety, and Activities Student Performance & Accountability	General Programs/Services and Other Information E-mail to a friend Wellness Policy AED/CPR Program New York State law requires that schools participate in an Automated External Defibrillator program. Each of our over 1400 schools is a Public Access Defibrillation site. OSH works with a vendor to provide service to the AED’s, and to provide CPR and AED training to our staff. Automated Student Health Record (ASHR) This tool is available in all elementary and intermediate schools. It has greatly expanded the ability of school nurses to care for students. It also assures that records are immediately available when a student transfers from one school to another. Communicable Disease/ Environmental & Food-Borne Illnesses In suspected cases of communicable disease, environmental illness, or food-borne illness, schools will immediately notify OSH, which will conduct an investigation. If the investigation results indicate that notification of the school community is warranted, OSH will provide principals with letters to be distributed in classrooms and through the regular mail. Fitness OSH is working closely with the Office of Fitness and Physical Education to implement a new fitness program. Components include the Physical Best curriculum, the NYC FITNESSGRAM Fitness Assessment program and a new middle school intramural/interscholastic sports and fitness league. Health Education OSH supports the efforts of the Office of Health Education and Family Living to implement comprehensive health education, including HIV/AIDS instruction; to collaborate with the NYC DOHMH on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and other initiatives; and to provide professional development and technical assistance to the field. Health Insurance Almost all children in New York City public schools are eligible for public health insurance at minimal or no cost. School records show that approximately 10% of our school children are uninsured. OSH collaborates with the Human Resources Administration to provide access to public health insurance to our students and their families through the schools. Obesity Almost half of elementary school children are overweight and obese. Many are not physically fit. DOE has developed several initiatives to deal with these issues. OSH is developing and overseeing the implementation of a new fitness program for NYC schools. In addition to the fitness initiatives, OSH works with the School Food program to improve the quality of student meals and encourage participation in the universal free breakfast program. Pediculosis (Head Lice) Vision and Hearing Screening OSH is improving its vision and hearing programs to ensure that all children are screened, and that children with serious vision or hearing problems receive the evaluation and treatment they need. National data indicate that about 25% of students need glasses by the time they reach high school. Furthermore, about 3% of children suffer from amblyopia, a condition that may result in blindness in one eye if not detected and treated before age seven. Wellness Policy In response to a new federal requirement DOE has adopted a Wellness Policy. This policy seeks to promote the health and well-being of our students, while taking into account competing priorities and the availability of funds. DOE engaged students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, health professionals and other interested community members in policy development and review.