For the 2011-2012 school year the following immunization requirements will be implemented:
Kindergarten: DTaP Polio MMR Varicella
A second dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine for all children entering kindergarten was a new requirement implemented in 2010.
If the kindergarten child has had varicella (chickenpox) disease, a licensed doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) must sign and place on file with the school a written statement documenting the month and year of previous varicella (chickenpox) disease as satisfactory evidence of having had the disease. Parental or guardian statements of disease will no longer be accepted beginning with the 2010-2011 school year for children entering kindergarten. This rule change applies to children entering kindergarten and thereafter. For children enrolled in grades one (1) through five (5), only one dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is required. Parental or guardian statements of disease continue to be acceptable.
8th Grade: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine will be required for all incoming eighth (8th) grade students if the child has completed the recommended childhood DTaP/DTP vaccination series and has not received a Td booster within the past two (2) years.
For children enrolled in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) who have not received a single dose of Td, it is highly recommended they receive a single dose of Tdap as their catch-up booster instead of Td or receive one dose of Tdap two years after the last Td dose.
Ste Genevieve County Health Department
The health department partners with and offers consultation to the R-II public school system . Assistance is provided with immunizations, health education and communicable disease prevention. Staff serves on their health advisory board.
School nursing assistance is provided to all of the parochial schools in the county which includes the usual screenings for vision, hearing, height, weight, scoliosis and blood pressure for age appropriate students. Health education and training is provided to students, staff and parents.
Obesity Prevention
Obesity prevention programs have been initiated in both schools systems to encourage children to make healthier food choices, get more exercise and live a healthier lifestyle in general. The Jump Into Action fitness program for fifth graders has been implemented in the public school. The Sneakers and Funtastic fitness programs have been implemented in the 3-5 grades of the parochial schools. Information is periodically sent home to the parents and at least one special family activity is held during the school year. The intent of these programs is to prevent childhood obesity as well as obesity in our children’s later years while encouraging children to adopt a healthy lifestyle.