554 - Student Health and Immunization Certificates

Students desiring to participate in athletic activities or enrolling in kindergarten or first grade in the District will have a physical examination by a licensed physician and provide proof of such an examination to the District.  A physical examination and proof of such an examination may be required by the administration for students in other grades enrolling for the first time in the District.

A certificate of health stating the results of a physical examination and signed by the physician is on file at the attendance center.  Each student will submit an up-to-date certificate of health upon the request of the Superintendent.  Failure to provide this information may be grounds for disciplinary action.

Students enrolling in kindergarten or any grade in elementary school in the District will have, at a minimum, a dental screening performed by a licensed medical professional (physician, nurse, physician assistant, dentist, dental hygienist) sometime between the student turning three (3) years of age and four (4) months following the student’s enrollment in the District, and will provide proof of such a screening to the District.  Students enrolling in any grade in high school in the District will have, at a minimum, a dental screening performed by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist sometime between one (1) year prior to the student’s enrollment in the District and four (4) months following the student’s enrollment in the District, and will provide proof of such a screening to the District.

Parents or guardians of students enrolling in kindergarten in the District shall be provided a student vision card provided by the Iowa optometric association and as approved by the Department of Education.  The goal of the District is that every child receives an eye examination by age seven, as needed.

Students enrolling for the first time in the District will also submit a certificate of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubeola, rubella, and other immunizations required by law.  The student may be admitted conditionally to the attendance center if the student has not yet completed the immunization process but is in the process of doing so.  Failure to meet the immunization requirement will be grounds for suspension, expulsion or denial of admission.  Upon recommendation of the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Department of Public Health, students entering the District for the first time may be required to pass a TB test prior to admission.  The District may conduct TB tests of current students.

Exemptions from the immunization requirement in this policy will be allowed only for medical or religious reasons recognized under the law.  The student must provide a valid Iowa State Department of Health Certificate of Immunization Exemption to be exempt from this policy.

 

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

REVISED: 02/05/2021 – APPROVED 03/15/2021

REVIEWED: 08/21/2023