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[PamintheWedge]

hi. i'm new to the UPK program in the city and have been told (somewhat second hand) that my daughter needs a lead test to enter the system. she received 2 tests back at age one and 2, which i think is an excellent choice for people who live in older housing stock, and it helped inform some of the renovations we were doing at the time.

but i am lead (ha!) to believe now that she needs a current test - as in a lead test at her 4 year old check up which already took place a couple of weeks ago.

i have received the enrollment paperwork and filled it out and while it has a place on the health appraisal for acknowledging a lead test score it doesn't indicate how recent it needs to be.

anyone have the experience to guide me?

pam

[Hilary]

Pam,

I passed your question along to the UPK people and they are checking and will get back to us.  I know when my daughter attended UPK (she's now in 2nd grade) she did NOT need another lead test. I'm not even sure she got the ones she was supposed to when she was littler!

Any current UPK parents have different information?

Hilary

[agregoire]

We have had 2 enter preK in the last 2 years and neither needed a lead test again.  It could be new though - I think it's probably a good idea personally but it stinks that you just had your daughter at the ped!

[Patid]

I asked some questions about the lead testing.  Here is the answer from Donna Hill and Robin Hooper:

We want parents to feel free to contact us with their questions.  Both Robin Hooper, Executive Director of Early Childhood Education and I, or anyone in our offices, may be contacted directly.  Robin’s telephone is 585-262-8248; her email is robin.hooper@rcsdk12.org.  Please feel free to refer questions to us.
You are also welcome to call me at any time, Pat Dangler, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education, 328-3360 or email at patricia.dangler@rcsdk12.org.


This is the NY State Law around lead testing.  Children entering school need to have a lead level test within 3 months of the starting school.

NYS PUBLIC HEALTH LAW ARTICLE 13, TITLE 10, SECTION 1370- 1376-A STATES THAT:

Prior to or within 3 months of initial enrollment, schools are required to obtain from the pre-school child;s parent or guardian, proof that the child has had a blood lead test.

If evidence of blood lead testing has not been received within the 3 months of initial enrollment, the parent or guardian is:
      to be given information about lead poisoning, and
      to be referred to primary health care provider or local health department

The child's cumulative health record must indicate either the date of the lead screening or that information on lead poisoning referral was provided.

[PamintheWedge]

i'm not reading article 13 the same way. i'm reading that the school district has three months from enrollment to obtain proof/info that the child has had a lead test. the three months seems linked with the amount of time the district has to collect the info - there is probably a similar timeline for immunizations. it doesn't read to me that the test has to be 3 months old or what not.

thank you for this info. i really appreciate the access we have to our school district on this website!

pam

[Hilary]

Pam,
I read it the same way as you ... I can't find anywhere where it says you have to have a new lead test for preschool.

Here's a FAQ from Genesee County (I was trying to find one from the state) that says:

"Before or within 3 months of enrolling a child under 6 years of age, providers must request proof from the child's parent or guardian that the child has been tested for lead."

Which is pretty much what the law says, but shorter.

(Actually I just found this on a NYS page ...
"New York State requires health care providers to test all children with a blood lead test at age 1 and again at age 2.")

Nothing about new testing for preschool.

I would proceed on that assumption, if I were you! Or you could call the county health department lead program at 753-5087. Let us know if you hear differently!

[Patid]

I have always understood the law the same way you are reading it - the parent has to show that the child has had the test, not that the child has been tested within the three months before school - I will ask the question again.

[Patid]

Clarification for Donna Hill and Robin Hooper,

We also interpret this to mean that

·         The school needs to have a copy of a report from lead testing at registration or at least 3 months from the date of registration

·         But – the report of testing can be from whenever the child was tested.  No new testing is required for pre-school.

Best wishes, Donna

[PamintheWedge]

thanks again for the info. you saved a kid from an extra DR visit and finger prick.
we handed our paperwork in for UPK at asbury last week with no hitches.