Immunizations
- A parent/guardian enrolling a student for the first time in a Grand Rapids Public School must present, at the time of registration, a copy of immunization records or State of Michigan approved waiver form. The immunization record must demonstrate that the child has received all required doses of vaccines or that the child has received at least one dose of each of the required vaccines and is waiting to receive the subsequent doses at appropriate time intervals.
- The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) will communicate certain circumstances in which a required vaccine may be waived or delayed. The KCHD will supply the necessary waiver forms.
- Schools will submit additional required immunization reports as required by law. The KCHD will communicate immunization requirements each year.
Communicable Diseases Spread by Casual Contact
- Parents/Guardians will be informed to keep their child(ren) home when they are ill.
- Students who have unexplained symptoms of communicable disease (as follows) may be excluded from school. The following list of symptoms is not exhaustive and is subject to change based on communicable disease reasearch and developments:
- Fever- above 100.4
- Sores on skin with pus or liquid drainage
- Rash or blisters
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Cough that disturbs normal activity that is unrelated to seasonal allergies or a chronic health condition
- New onset of tiredness that prevents normal activity
- Complaints of sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- New or unusual headache
- Lost sense of taste or smell (new or recent)
- Wheezing
- Chills
- Stiff back or neck
- Abdominal cramps or pain
- When students have a communicable disease, they will be cared for in an area away from other staff or students until they are sent home. Universal precautions will be followed to prevent spread of a communicable disease. The school nurse will advise on the need to contact EMS or will contact the child's health care provider for recommendations.
- Parents/Guardians will be informed of exclusion due to a possible communicable disease. If parents/guardians cannot be reached, school personnel will follow Policy 8650 Medical Emergencies.
- Parents/Guardians will be informed that students should be kept home from school until they are symptom free or present a statement from a licensed healthcare provider that they are not contagious and may return to school.
- The school nurse is to be consulted for suspected communicable diseases.
- Schools will report suspected communicable diseases as required to the KCHD Communicable Disease Unit.
- The District will follow recommendations of the KCHD Medical Director or designee for the control of communicable diseases.
- If school personnel disagree with a licensed health care provider regarding the return of a student with a communicable disease, they may notify the school nurse. The school nurse will do an assessment and consult with the KCHD Communicable Disease Unit for advice. The District may seek a second medical opinion. The student will not be allowed to return until the District is sure that the condition is no longer contagious.
- The District will follow current guidelines provided by American Academy of Pediatrics, Kent County Health Department, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for diagnosis and treatment of lice. Students will be excluded at the end of the school day for live lice and may return after proper treatment and inspection. Students will not be excluded for nits, as this does not indicate an infestation.
- All parents/guardians in the particular classroom or in the school will be notified of communicable diseases when appropriate.
