Below is information regarding IUSD's Health Services.
Students must show they're in compliance with California immunization laws and Irvine Unified School District Policy 5141.31 to attend school. A copy of the student's current immunization record must be on file, at school.
Transitional Kindergarten - Grade 12 Immunizaiton Requirements
Important Notice: Vaccination Law Update and Elimination of Personal Beliefs Exemption
As you may be aware, there will be a change in student immunization requirements in 2016. Under a new law known as Senate Bill 277 (SB 277), beginning January 1, 2016 immunization exemptions based on personal beliefs will no longer be available for the vaccines that are currently required for school admission. Personal belief exemptions (PBE) on file with the school district before January 1, 2016 for a student already enrolled in school will remain in effect until the student reaches the next immunization check point at Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten or 7th grade. Any PBE must be received by the school district before January 1, 2016 in order to be valid.
The new law requires that all students follow the State immunization requirements for school enrollment unless there is a documented medical reason provided by a licensed physician. The main components of SB 277 and the new immunization requirements are outlined below:
- Personal beliefs exemptions from immunizations will be accepted prior to January 1, 2016 and not after that date. Contact your health care provider to complete the required PBE form. PBE forms may be turned into the school office on or before December 18, 2015 (last day of school before Winter Break), mailed to IUSD Health Services, 5050 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92604, provided they are postmarked by December 31, 2015, or scanned and emailed to healthservices@iusd.org by December 31, 2015.
- Students entering into Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 7th Grade on and after July 1, 2016, will be required to submit documentation verifying compliance with the State immunization requirements, unless a valid medical exemption is on file with the school district. Immunization documentation must be provided at time of registration.
- A parent/guardian may submit to the school a written statement by a licensed physician (MD or DO) or the Medical Exemption to Required Immunizations from the American Academy of Pediatrics & California Academy of Family Physiciansexempting a student from immunization (medical exemption). In order to obtain a valid medical exemption, SB 277 requires a written statement by a licensed physician which states: (1) the physical condition or medical circumstances relating to the student are such that immunization is not considered safe; (2) the specific nature of the medical condition; (3) the probable duration of the medical condition; (4) circumstances, including, but not limited to, family medical history, for which the physician does not recommend immunization, and (5) that the student shall be exempt from the vaccines indicated by the physician's statement.
SB 277 does not prohibit a student who qualifies for an individualized education program (IEP), pursuant to federal law and Section 56026 of the Education Code, from accessing any special education and related services required by his or her IEP.
- Students with an IEP at Time of Enrollment:
- The District will not deny enrollment or any IEP services to qualified students, regardless of immunization status.
- Students with and IEP should be immunized unless they have an exemption for medical reasons. Contact your School Nurse for information or questions regarding medical exemptions. (Medical Exemption to Required Immunizations Waiver Form)
- Students with an IEP whose parent/guardian refuses to recognize SB 277 should not be prevented from enrolling. A School Nurse should speak with the parent regarding the health benefits of being immunized.
- At the next scheduled IEP meeting, the School Nurse or IEP Team Member should discuss immunizations with the parent/guardian. The parent's or guardian's decision to not follow immunization requirements should be documented in the IEP.
- If a student has not been vaccinated and the school believes he or she has been exposed to a disease covered by vaccination laws, a school may temporarily exclude the student from school until the local health officer is satisfied that the child is no longer at risk of developing or transmitting the disease. (Health and Safety Code section 120370).
Information about school immunization requirements and SB 277 Frequently Asked Questions are available on the State's Shots for School website at www.shotsforschool.org
Whenever possible, the parent or guardian should make arrangements so that it is not necessary for school personnel to administer a medication to a student. However there are cases when a student's health could be compromised by not getting medication during school hours. When sending any prescription or non- prescription medication to school each year, the parent must:
Send medication in the original container with directions. Complete the IUSD Medication Administration form (to be signed by both parent and physician) Storage: Medication to be administered at school is to be kept in the health office. Other special requests may be discussed with the Credentialed School Nurse.
Half Tablets: Health Office Staff is not responsible for breaking tablets in half. This will not be done at school. When there is a physician order to give one-half of a tablet, please talk with your pharmacist.
Field Trips: If your child takes daily or as-needed medication, you will be receiving a form to complete indication whether or not there is a need for this medication on field trips. Health Office Staff do not accompany students on filed trips and a teacher may be responsible for administration of medication.
Standard Medications: Health Office Staff will administer only medication that is listed and described in the Standard Physician's Desk (PDR) or the Over-the-counter ( OTC) PDR.
Nebulizer Treatments: When nebulizer treatments are required, special arrangements must be made in advance with the Credentialed School Nurse.
Thank you for your cooperation on these medication procedures. Our intent is to insure safety and good health for your child.
In order to provide a healthy school environment for all children and staff, the following guidelines have been prepared to assist you in decisions relating to your child's health and school attendance. If your child is not feeling well and you are uncertain about sending him/her to school on any given day, it is best to keep your child home and observe him/her for worsening symptoms. If a child is too ill to attend school in the morning, it is recommended that he/she stay home all day. When you make the decision to keep your child home, please notify the school secretary or attendance line that your child will be absent and state the nature of your child's illness.
Colds/Flu | Student needs to remain home if he/she has an excessive runny nose, excessive coughing, temperature at or above 100°F, or is too uncomfortable to function at school. |
Fever | Student may return to school when he/she has been fever-free (less than 100°F) without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours |
Rash | Student is to remain at home with any undiagnosed skin rash and may return when the rash is gone, or with a doctor's note stating diagnosis and clearing him/her to return to school. |
Vomiting | Student is to remain at home if he/she has vomited within the past 24 hours. Should a student experience vomiting during school hours, he/she will be sent home and needs to remain home for at least 24 hours after vomiting subsides |
Diarrhea | If student has diarrhea 2 times in a day, he/she needs to remain at home until diarrhea subsides and no other signs of illness exist. |
Strep Throat | Student needs to be treated with antibiotics for 48 hours before returning to school if there is a positive throat culture. |
Ear Infection | Student needs to be evaluated by a physician if he/she complains of ear pain. Early treatment can help ward off permanent damage to the ear which could result in hearing loss |
Eye Infection | Redness, drainage, or watering of the eyes requires assessment to determine the cause of the conjunctivitis (pink eye) or possible eye injury. Eyes need to be clear, or student needs to be treated with prescription medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school. |
Chicken Pox | Student may return to school after all blisters are dried and crusted over. Notify the school nurse if your child has chickenpox. |
Head Lice | Student must be treated with shampoo or rinse as recommended by your doctor or pharmacy and may return to school when the hair is nit free. Notify the school nurse if your child has head lice and sign the Verification of Treatment Form when student returns to school. |
Serious Injuries and Surgeries | The school nurse is to be notified when a student has sustained a serious injury or has had surgery and a note from the physician must describe any limitations or special needs when student is cleared to return to school. Possible modifications to school schedule, physical activity and mode of travel on the school campus should be evaluated. For the student's safety, if crutches, a wheelchair or any other assistive devices will be needed, the physician must specify this in writing. |
School Injuries | The nurse, health clerk, or other school staff will assess the injury, administer first aid, and notify parents as soon as possible, by phone and/or note, as to the type and status of injury |
Forms
- Diabetes Management at School Consent - FORM
- Health Condition Information - FORM
- Kindergarten Oral Health (Dental) Assessment - FORM
- Medication Request - 2 page FORM
- Physical Exam For School Entry - FORM
- Physician Release to Return to School - FORM
Documents
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Our mission is to promote mutual respect and interaction between the school community and the health care community. The ultimate goal is to encourage and secure healthy lives for our students.