Get Started on These Health Related Tasks For Your Child

Everyone is excited about summer break, but before you put next school year’s tasks on the back burner, we’d like to remind you about a few health-related items to plan for now. Many families have reported difficulty finding available doctor appointments for their children, with the next available appointment sometimes being months out. In addition, the number of free and pop-up clinics through local organizations has dramatically decreased as pandemic funding has been exhausted. 

Please consider scheduling a doctor’s appointment for your child for the following reasons now, so your child can start the 2024-25 school year on time: 

Well Child Visits 

We want scholars to be as socially, emotionally, and physically healthy as possible. When a child is healthy, they can focus better on school. Scheduling regular Well Child visits can help ensure your child receives proper care and appropriate medical intervention when necessary. This is also a great time to discuss your child’s development, address new symptoms, and take care of sports physicals. 

School Immunizations 

Certain immunizations are required by law for your child to attend school. The district must have an up-to-date Certificate of Immunization (COE) or Exemption Letter (COE) on file for your child – without these, your child may not be permitted in school and may miss valuable instruction.  

As a heads up, there are typically required immunizations for students entering the following grades: 

• Preschool and Kindergarten:  
• DTaP 
• IPV 
• MMR 
• Varicella (chickenpox) 
• PCV 
• Hib 
• Seventh Grade: 
• Tdap 

To check the full list of required immunizations by age, please visit the Immunizations webpage. 

Health Care Plans 

Scholars who require lifesaving medication or have a medical diagnosis that requires support at school must establish an Individualized Health Plan (IHP) or Emergency Care Plan (ECP) to implement at their school.  An IHP or ECP are developed in collaboration with a student’s parents or guardians, doctor, and the school nurse. All plans must be reviewed prior to the start of school. Additionally, if your child requires an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 accommodations for health reasons, please let the school nurse know so they can connect you with our Student Support Services team for a Special Education evaluation.   

Medication 

If your child requires lifesaving medication such as epi-pens, an inhaler, seizure or diabetic medication, or any prescription medication for conditions like ADHD, migraines, anxiety, etc., please bring a medication order form to your doctor to fill out. This will allow the school to administer medication as prescribed to your child at school. 

Children in grades 6-12 may carry a one-day dose of over-the-counter (OTC) medication such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Midol, cough drops, etc. All medications must be in the originally labeled container with an OTC medication form and must be on file with their school nurse. 

Lastly, medications cannot be expired, and families must provide these medications and completed forms to their child’s school. Learn more about the medication policy on the Medications at School webpage. 

Dietary Restrictions 

If your child requires a special diet for conditions such as dysphagia, severe food allergies or other health-related concerns, please review the Special Diet Accommodations procedures through Nutrition Services. Some diet accommodations are required to be verified by your child’s doctor, and a signed HIPAA agreement must be on file with FWPS. 

Above all, our top priority is the safety and well-being of each scholar. You can help our efforts by completing any of the relevant items mentioned above to ensure your child can begin the 2024-25 school year, and with the appropriate medical support at school.  

For questions about this list, or other health-related questions, please contact FWPS Health Services at FWPSHealth@fwps.org or 253-945-4575.