Are Your Child's Immunizations AND Physical Up-To-Date?
Immunizations Protect Children!
Regular yearly checkups at your pediatrician's office is an important way to keep your children healthy. The best available defense against many dangerous childhood diseases is having your children immunized on time. Immunizations for certain communicable diseases are required by TN State Law for every student entering school.
GCSSD Policy Manual Policy 6.402 Physical Examinations and Immunizations states:
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
The principal shall ensure that there is a complete physical examination of each student prior to entering school for the first time by a Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Physician Assistant, Certified Nurse Practitioner, or a properly trained public health nurse. Presently, the physical is considered up to date if it is performed in the current year that your child is entering school (i.e. January 1, 2016-July 1, 2016) unless there is insurance or age restriction. In such cases, there must be a signed physician’s note saying the appointment is scheduled and the actual date (i.e. July 2, 2016-December 31, 2016. If you miss your child’s scheduled appointment he/she will not be allowed back in the classroom until it is completed. Those absences will not be excused.)
Cost of the examination shall be borne by the parent or guardian of the student. These records shall be on file in the principal's office.
Screening tests for vision, hearing, scoliosis and lice will be conducted. Parents/Guardians will receive written notice of any screening result that indicates a condition that might interfere or tend to interfere with a student's progress.
In general, the school district will not conduct physical examinations of a student without parental consent to do so or by court order, unless the health or safety of the student or others is in question.
IMMUNIZATIONS
No students entering school, including those entering kindergarten or first grade, those from out-of-state and those from nonpublic schools, will be permitted to enroll (or attend) without proof of immunization, as determined by the Commissioner of Public Health.
It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to have their children immunized and to provide such proof to the principal of the school which the student is to attend.
*Exceptions, in the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat thereof, will be granted to any child whose parent or guardian shall file with school authorities a signed, written statement that such measures conflict with his/her religious tenets and practices; or due to medical reasons if such child has a written statement from his/her doctor excusing him from such immunization.
Proof of exceptions will be in writing and filed in the same manner as other immunization records.
A list of transfer students shall be kept at each school throughout the school year in order that their records can be monitored by the Department of Health.
Children with medical or religious exemption requirements
Medical - Physicians (MD or DO) or Public Health Nurses are authorized to indicate specific vaccines medically exempted (because of risk of harm) on the certificate. Other vaccines remain required. The medical reason for the exemption does not need to be provided.
Religious - This exemption requires a signed statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. If the child needs documentation of a health examination for the school, it must be noted by the healthcare provider on the immunization certificate. In that case, the provider should check the box in section 1a. that the parent has sought a religious exemption to explain why immunization information is absent or incomplete.
See more at Tennessee Department of Health: http://tn.gov/health/article/childcare-12th-grade-immunization-requirements#sthash.TQRsmZXP.dpuf
Immunizations Protect Children!
Regular yearly checkups at your pediatrician's office is an important way to keep your children healthy. The best available defense against many dangerous childhood diseases is having your children immunized on time. Immunizations for certain communicable diseases are required by TN State Law for every student entering school.
GCSSD Policy Manual Policy 6.402 Physical Examinations and Immunizations states:
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
The principal shall ensure that there is a complete physical examination of each student prior to entering school for the first time by a Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Physician Assistant, Certified Nurse Practitioner, or a properly trained public health nurse. Presently, the physical is considered up to date if it is performed in the current year that your child is entering school (i.e. January 1, 2016-July 1, 2016) unless there is insurance or age restriction. In such cases, there must be a signed physician’s note saying the appointment is scheduled and the actual date (i.e. July 2, 2016-December 31, 2016. If you miss your child’s scheduled appointment he/she will not be allowed back in the classroom until it is completed. Those absences will not be excused.)
Cost of the examination shall be borne by the parent or guardian of the student. These records shall be on file in the principal's office.
Screening tests for vision, hearing, scoliosis and lice will be conducted. Parents/Guardians will receive written notice of any screening result that indicates a condition that might interfere or tend to interfere with a student's progress.
In general, the school district will not conduct physical examinations of a student without parental consent to do so or by court order, unless the health or safety of the student or others is in question.
IMMUNIZATIONS
No students entering school, including those entering kindergarten or first grade, those from out-of-state and those from nonpublic schools, will be permitted to enroll (or attend) without proof of immunization, as determined by the Commissioner of Public Health.
It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to have their children immunized and to provide such proof to the principal of the school which the student is to attend.
*Exceptions, in the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat thereof, will be granted to any child whose parent or guardian shall file with school authorities a signed, written statement that such measures conflict with his/her religious tenets and practices; or due to medical reasons if such child has a written statement from his/her doctor excusing him from such immunization.
Proof of exceptions will be in writing and filed in the same manner as other immunization records.
A list of transfer students shall be kept at each school throughout the school year in order that their records can be monitored by the Department of Health.
Children with medical or religious exemption requirements
Medical - Physicians (MD or DO) or Public Health Nurses are authorized to indicate specific vaccines medically exempted (because of risk of harm) on the certificate. Other vaccines remain required. The medical reason for the exemption does not need to be provided.
Religious - This exemption requires a signed statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. If the child needs documentation of a health examination for the school, it must be noted by the healthcare provider on the immunization certificate. In that case, the provider should check the box in section 1a. that the parent has sought a religious exemption to explain why immunization information is absent or incomplete.
See more at Tennessee Department of Health: http://tn.gov/health/article/childcare-12th-grade-immunization-requirements#sthash.TQRsmZXP.dpuf