Acton-Agua Dulce Unified

Parents of students in Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District need to be aware of some changes to California Law with regard to required vaccinations. This information is intended to familiarize you with the basics of the new requirements. Proof of compliance with the new law will be required at registration.

PERSONAL BELIEF EXEMPTIONS

Starting January 1, 2016, parents or guardians of all students in California schools will no longer be allowed to submit a personal/religious beliefs exemption to a currently-required vaccine.

Personal/Religious belief exemptions filed prior to January 1, 2016 will remain valid until a student transitions from 6^thgrade to 7^th grade (when age-appropriate immunization requirements change.)

For more information about required vaccinations please review the following link: www.shotsforschool.org

MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS

If a Medical exemption is needed, a parent or guardian must submit a written statement from a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O) which states:

• The child’s physical condition or medical circumstances which exempt them from receiving the required immunization(s)
• Which vaccines are being exempt from receiving
• Whether the medical exemption is temporary
• The expiration date, if the exemption is temporary

*Only a licensed Medical Doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) may provide a medical exemption.

CONDITIONAL ENROLLMENT

Students behind on their required immunizations may be admitted conditionally, if they are not currently due for any doses or have a temporary medical exemption.

To meet California’s school entry requirements, children entering Kindergarten must show proof of the following immunizations:

Students entering 7^th Grade must show proof of the following immunizations:

Kindergarten and First Grade Physical Examination:  Good health is important to your child’s learning and successful academic career. This school district, therefore, requires that the certificate of physical examination be submitted at the time of kindergarten registration.

PARENT GUIDELINES REGARDING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Dear Parents and Guardians:

A child’s health status directly affects his/her success at school.  There are three factors to be considered when addressing school attendance:

1. Protection of the individual student who is ill and requires treatment.
2. Comfort of the individual student and how it affects his/her abilities to learn and achieve in school.
3. Protection of the school community from the spread of any communicable disease.

The following guidelines were written as an indicator for a need to send a student home, or for a student to be kept at home.

• Students should be fever free without medication for 24 hours before they return to school.
• Students should be vomiting/diarrhea free for 24 hours before they return to school.
• Students should be kept at home for undiagnosed skin conditions or a rash that may be contagious until they have been cleared up
• Students should be kept home for conjunctivitis or pinkeye until treated.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

A student that has been prescribed by a physician to require medications during regular school hours may be assisted by the district nurse, the health assistant, or other designated school personnel. The school must receive a written statement (Request for Medication to be taken at school form) from the physician and the parent or guardian.This includes over-the-counter medication.

The following procedure must be followed:

1. A request form for each prescribed medication must be completed by the physician, signed by the parent or guardian, and filed with the school administrator/nurse.
2. The container must be clearly labeled with the following information:
   1. Pupil’s full name
   2. Physician’s name
   3. Name of medication
   4. Dosage schedule and dose form
   5. Date of expiration of prescription

Each medication is to be in a separate container with the information clearly labeled as above. The school administrator/ district nurse will assume responsibility for placing medications in a locked cabinet, which shall be used only for the storage of medication.

The parent or guardian will assume full responsibility for the supplying of all medications.

No medication may be brought to school by pupils or on the school bus.

Parents shall deliver the medication or delivered by an authorized adult. Parents shall be encouraged to cooperate with the physician to develop a schedule so that the necessity for taking medications at school will be minimized or eliminated.

Please see the district nurse for resources of  health clinics in the area for immunizations.