Purpose
In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of
certain communicable diseases and in recognition that prevention is a
means of combating the spread of disease, the Board requires all students
to be immunized against certain diseases in accordance with State statutes
and regulations, unless specifically exempt for religious or medical reasons.
Authority
The Superintendent, building principals, and other administrators
in charge of school buildings shall deny admittance to any student who
has not been immunized in accordance with State laws and regulation
unless that student satisfies the exemption requirements set forth in
this policy.
Implementation
The District Superintendent or designee shall:
- Annually review the State standards for immunization of pupils and
direct the responsible District personnel accordingly.
- Investigate and recommend to the Board such district-sponsored
programs of immunization as may from time to time be warranted by
circumstances and the health of the school community. Any such program
is subject to Board approval and should be conducted in cooperation
with local health agencies.
The building principals or administrators in charge of school buildings
shall:
- Appoint a school nurse to perform the following:
| a. |
Inform parents and guardians of children prior
to their admittance to the District schools of the requirements
for immunization, the requisite proof of immunization, and the
exemptions available for religious or medical reasons and the
means by which such exemptions may be claimed |
| b. |
Ascertain the immunization status of every such
child prior to admission to the District schools. |
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|
(1) |
The parent or guardian shall be asked for a certificate
of immunization |
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|
(2) |
In the absence of a certificate of immunization,
the parent or guardian shall be asked for a history of immunization,
which indicates the specific date that immunizations were given |
| c. |
If the school nurse is unable to ascertain whether
a child has received the required immunizations or if the school
nurse determines that a child has not received the required
immunizations, a 15-day provisional enrollment will be offered.
If, after 15 calendar days, necessary documentation has not
been provided, the student will be excluded from school. |
Exemptions
A child shall be exempt from the requirements for immunization:
- If a physician provides a written statement that immunization may
be detrimental to the health of the child. When the physician determines
that immunization is no longer detrimental to the health of the child,
the child shall be immunized according to State law and regulations.
- If the parent or guardian objects in writing to the immunization
on religious grounds, or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical
conviction similar to a religious belief.
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