STAYING HEALTHY AND SAFE Make sure your child is immunized
The Minnesota School Immunization Law ( MN Statute 121A . 15 ) requires all students to provide proof of childhood immunizations . Rules require proof of chickenpox disease or varicella immunization . Proof of disease must consist of information from a medical provider indicating the year of chickenpox . Vaccination for varicella consists of two shots . The second measles , mumps , rubella ( MMR ) vaccine is required before entry to kindergarten .
A tetanus , diphtheria and pertussis ( Tdap ) booster is required for all students seventh grade and older . Seventh graders in Minnesota continue to be required to have Hepatitis B vaccination in a series of two or three shots . A meningitis vaccine is also required for seventh grade . A booster meningitis dose will be due in grade 12 . Please consult with your medical provider with regard to immunizations required before entering kindergarten . Private medical providers may give the immunizations . If you have no medical insurance that covers immunizations your student may be immunized at Anoka or Hennepin County community health clinics . For clinic dates , times , and locations call Anoka County at 763-324- 4210 or Hennepin County at 612-348-2884 .
The Health Service office at your student ’ s school needs proof of the month , day and year your student ’ s immunizations were given . If the school does not receive documentation of the required immunizations , your student will be excluded from school . The state law does allow a process for parents or guardians to file a legal exemption to immunizations for medical reasons or conscientiously held beliefs . The exemption must be notarized and turned into the student ’ s Health Service office at their school . Please contact the Health Service at your student ’ s school if you would like help with the exemption process .
Early childhood screening
In Minnesota , all children are required to complete early childhood screening before they enter kindergarten . Ideally , the screening should be completed prior to a child turning four years old , and must be completed before the child attends public kindergarten . Screening is a FREE , simple check of a young child ’ s health and development . It does not determine kindergarten readiness .
Screening includes :
• A development assessment .
• Vision and hearing checks .
• Height and weight measurement .
• An immunization and health history review .
Call 763-506-2400 for more information if :
• You are new to the district .
• Your child is over 4 and has NOT been notified .
• Your child is entering kindergarten in the fall and has not been screened .
• To schedule an appointment .
If you use a TTY number , please call using Minnesota Relay at 1-800-627-3529 , or 711 .
Screening is offered daily throughout the school year at the
Sorteberg Early Childhood Center ( SECC ), 11400 Magnolia St . NW , in Coon Rapids .
Vision and hearing screenings
Vision and hearing screenings are conducted in accordance with State Health Department recommendations and within staffing availability . Screenings are not done on your student every school year . Screenings are not a comprehensive examination . Please do have your medical provider examine your student if you are questioning your student ’ s vision or hearing . If you require financial assistance with accessing care , there are several good resources as follows : Anoka County Child and Teen ( 763-324-4280 ) and First Call for Help ( 211 or 651-291-0211 ).
Is my child well enough for school ?
Parents are frequently concerned about when students should stay home from school because of illness . It is important to have a child care plan for the days your child is ill and must stay home from school .
Here is some information that can help you decide if your child should stay home :
• If a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more , the student must stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal .
• If a student has vomited or had diarrhea , the student must stay home until 24 hours after the last episode .
• If a student has had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown , check with a family physician before sending the student to school .
• If anyone in the household has a COVID-19 positive test , please call the site school nurse before coming to school .
• If a student is ill , please call the school daily to report the illness .
• If your student has a chronic health disease that causes the symptoms of fever , vomiting , diarrhea and / or rash please check with the school nurse to discuss parameters for keeping your student home .
Remember that a child who is ill with an infectious disease can spread the disease when in contact with others in the family and community . Frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to limit spread of disease . Set a good example by washing your hands often and helping your child develop good hand washing habits .
If you have questions about these guidelines or your child ’ s illness , please call your school nurse or family physician .
See the illness / disease chart on page 10 and 11 .
Medication
With many students needing medication during the school day , procedures have been developed to ensure students ’ safety . Our Health Service staff request parent or guardian cooperation with these School Board approved procedures . Prescription medication may be given with medical provider and parent permission .
Only FDA approved medications can be administered to students through Health Services . Herbal , dietary supplements , essential oils and alternative medications will need to be administered to students outside of the school day at home . All medications administered at school must be provided by the parent or guardian .
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