District Contact Information

Daniel T. Connor
Superintendent

227 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 615-6720

Central School District

Health and Wellness News and Information

Health News

SAS student treated for pertussis: View a letter from the Department of Health
January 4, 2011 - A student in Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School has been treated for confirmed pertussis (whooping cough). Antibiotics given early in the infection may reduce symptoms and does shorten the period of communicability. READ MORE »

View the flu season letter from the Department of Health
August 4, 2011 - The 2011 flu season is on its way. View a letter containing relevant news and recommendations about the flu season from the Orange County Department of Health and the Orange County Medical Society.

Health Information

Information about influenza

The first and most important step in protecting against the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season, and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older be vaccinated.

In addition, the district would like to remind parents to teach your children about good hygiene in order to reduce their risk of getting the flu:

  • Teach children to wash hands often with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds (that's about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice).

  • Teach children the proper way to use hand sanitizers. Gels, rubs and hand wipes all work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol.

  • Teach children to keep their hands away from their face and avoid touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

  • Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, or to cough and sneeze into their sleeves - not their hands.

  • For more information about the 2011-12 Flu Season, visit The New York State Department of Health website.

Information about H1N1

With continued media attention focused on the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus, the district is providing a resource page for parents and community members seeking facts and information about this strain of the flu virus. View archived information and letters to parents.

Information about pertussis (whooping cough)

What is pertussis?
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease involving the respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacterium that is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person.

Who gets pertussis?
Pertussis can occur at any age. Pertussis is increasing in teenagers and adults.

How is pertussis spread?
Pertussis is primarily spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of persons with whooping cough.

What are symptoms of pertussis?
Pertussis starts like a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe. Rapid coughs can be followed by a crowning or high-pitched whoop. The cough is more frequent at night.

When and for how long is a person able to spread pertussis?
A person can spread pertussis from the time of the first cough to three weeks after the cough has started.

What is the vaccine for pertussis?
The vaccine for pertussis is usually given in combination with dipthereisa and tetanus. Immunization authorities recemmond DTaP (dipthereia, tetanus, acellular pertussis) vaccine be given at 2, 4, 6 and 15-18 months of age and between 4 and 6 years of age. Tdap is now recommended for 11-18 year olds as a one time booster dose.

Can pertussis be treated?
YES.
1. If you have a harsh, rapid cough, see your doctor or clinic.
2. Treatment with antibiotics for five days can prevent spreading the infection to others.

Wellness Policy

The Goshen Central School District established its Wellness Policy in June 2006 in order to achieve the goal of providing a school environment that promotes and protects children's health, well-being and the ability to learn by fostering healthy eating and physical activity.

Internet Safety

The Internet can be a great resource for your child. It can be used for research, communication with teachers and other children, interactive games etc. By being able to punch in a few letters on the keyboard, you child can literally access the World Wide Web. That access can however pose hazards and this section offers links and important resources on internet safety.

Find out about the New York State Law on Internet Safety and what the Technology Standards are for your child in school.

Netiquette

“What is Netiquette? Simply stated, it's network etiquette -- that is, the etiquette of cyberspace. And "etiquette" means "the forms required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be required in social or official life." In other words, Netiquette is a set of rules for behaving properly online.” (Virginia Shea, The Core Rules of Netiquette)

Find out what the netiquette rules are. Encourage your child to take a web license on internet safety to check how well you know the rules on internet safety!

Cyber Security and Personal Safety

These two links provide clear explanations and tips on how to be on guards against Internet fraud, secure your computer and protect your personal information – videos and games to use with your child!

Reminders about Personal Safety

  • Passwords-use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Try also to use upper and lower case letters;

  • Six or more characters are better passwords;

  • Usernames should not include any personal information;

  • Don’t click on banner ads or pop-up ads. This could lead to spyware.

Cyberbullying

Here is a web site where you can get familiar with the definition of Cyberbullying with great and professional resources. Cyberbullying can happen a number of ways:

  • E-mails

  • Instant Messaging

  • Web Pages and Social Networking (e.g. My Space)

  • Text messages

Here is a fact sheet (PDF) on how to find out about the signs of Cyberbullying. In the event you feel you child may be a victim of cyberbullying, do not wait, go and talk to a school administrator, teacher etc. whom might be able to help and address the problem with your help.

More Resources on Internet Safety