IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ATTENDANCE

Doses: Immunization:

5 DPT (4 if 4^th dose given after 4^th birthday)

4 OPV or IPV (3 if 3^rd dose given after 4^th birthday)

2 MMR

1-2 VARICELLA (if child is 13 or over, 2 doses are required)

Any child who does not meet these requirements within 90 days of registration may not attend school.

You must bring documentation of immunization dates to the school or present one of the following:

A physician’s written statement that immunization is medically inadvisable, or

· A written statement each year stating an opposition to immunization because of a sincere religious or philosophical reason.

IMMUNIZATIONS - VARICELLA

Start of school year 2005 – K-3 and 6, 9 and 10

Start of school year 2006 – K-4 and 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11

Start of school year 2007 – K-12

For school year 2005-2006, Maine Law states that students in grades K-3 and 6, 9 and 10 are required to have proof of immunity to varicella (chicken pox.) Proof of immunity can be shown in 1 of 3 ways:

A note or health record from your doctor showing your child has had chicken pox; or
A valid Immunization Record showing your child has had the chickenpox vaccine; or
Results of a blood test that shows your child is immune to chickenpox.

Parents of eighth grade students should contact their health care provider to get this information or learn more about the chickenpox vaccine. A letter will be sent home if your child’s proof of chicken pox immunity is missing. The Immunization Exemption Form should be filled out if requesting a waiver for varicella or any other immunizations.

INFORMATION ON HEAD LICE

More to come soon!

VISION, HEARING, HEIGHT & WEIGHT SCREENINGS

Vision, height and weight screenings are done every year for grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Hearing screening is done for grades K, 1, 3 and 5. If screening results suggest that further evaluation in any of these areas are needed, referrals from your child’s school nurse will be sent home. Times of screenings are set by your child’s school nurse. Please contact them for further questions or concerns.

FLU SEASON

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has suggested guidelines for flu prevention in schools.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Washing your hands often with soap and water.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Please keep your child home from school if they have a fever of 100.5 or greater, are coughing and sneezing consistently, or have had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 12 hours.

Click here for more information on the flu from the CDC.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

Helpful Forms:

Authorization To Administer Medications – this form needs to be filled out and signed if your child needs to take medications during school.

Release of Information

Immunization Exemption – this needs to be written on a yearly basis if you have strong religious or philosophical beliefs against immunizing your child.

Tylenol/Ibuprofen Permission forms – sign this if your child can have Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen for minor aches and pains