Chalk Talk 2007-2008 School Year Immunizations, Birth Certificates, EISF
9/04/07
Jennifer Mayer, District 55 Correspondent
It's that time of year again as school starts that the Blackfoot School District handles student attendance issues during the Eastern Idaho State Fair and parental questions about birth certificate and immunization requirements. In addition, during the school year, questions often arise about who is responsible for medical injuries when a child is injured at school. The school district would like to answer these questions and explain their positions to help the public understand the district’s goals. The fair began last Saturday, and runs Sept. 1-8. The time the fair is open on weekends, afternoons and evenings is greater than the hours students are in school. Sept. 4-6, Coca Cola wristband promotions include gate admission and allow wearers unlimited turns on carnival rides. Rides begin at 1 p.m., daily. During wristband days, parents often take children out of school. Every year, school personnel witness increasing numbers of students leaving school to attend the fair, and the favorable economics of purchasing wristbands within large families is a factor. Recognizing this, the Blackfoot School District will release school three hours early Sept.5 and 6. The district has scheduled the two afternoons as teacher in-service days. In addition, Monday is Labor Day and school is not in session. In regard to birth certificates, state law requires that parents/guardians present a certified copy within 30 days of a student’s enrollment. The purpose of this statute is to help law enforcement with missing and runaway child reports and to help protect Idaho’s children. If the person enrolling a child in school cannot comply with documentation requirements after requests by law enforcement, police will charge the person with a misdemeanor. Also, state laws require parents/guardians to have children, kindergarten through grade 12, immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; polio; measles, mumps, and rubella; and hepatitis B. To avoid disease outbreaks or epidemics and promote better health for Idaho’s children, the legislature enacted the School Immunization Law. The law requires that parents meet the minimum standards of immunizations as set by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The department revised its requirements for children entering preschool and kindergarten in 2006-07. Those standards are five doses of DTP vaccine, three
doses of oral poliovirus, two doses of MMR vaccine, and three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Immunization certificates are available from the Department of Health and Welfare, and Blackfoot schools will accept statements signed by doctors or their representatives or the health department. Proof that an immunization program is ongoing is sufficient to allow enrollment. Idaho requires that parents/guardians follow through on an immunization program that is in process and verify that vaccines are administered on schedule. If a disease outbreak occurs and adequate documentation is not on file, a child may be excluded from school. Even with precautions and close supervision, accidents sometimes happen at school. Parents/guardians should be prepared for possible medical expenses that may occur if their child is injured at school. The Blackfoot School District does not provide health insurance to pay for medical expenses automatically. This is the responsibility of the parents/guardians. The district does carry legal liability insurance, and they make student medical insurance available to families for purchase. Each school has brochures outlining coverage and premiums and these are given out to students at the beginning of the year and are available in school offices. The Blackfoot School District hopes these explanations help the community better understand school positions and the laws involved. The district invites opinions from the public on any issue that concerns the education of our youth. Jennifer Mayer Blackfoot School District #55 Media Correspondent Phone: 785-8800 (Message) E-mail: mayej@d55.k12.id.us