NYS Department of Health

As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed, and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’.  The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low.  Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination.  Each year, a sample of school districts are selected to take part in a required survey by the New York State Department of Health in which we need to report a summary of student BMI ranges.  Penn Yan CSD was selected to report on students currently in K, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12th grade this school year.  Only summary information is sent.  No names and no information about individual students are sent.  However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report.

The information sent to the New York State Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier. If you do not wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the Health Department’s survey this year, please complete this Google Form by 1/5/24.  If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse at your child’s building or Gregory Baker, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at [email protected] or 315-536-8538.