State law requires that all children entering school in West Virginia for the first time, unless properly exempted, must be immunized against diphtheria, polio, rubeola (measles) rubella (German measles), tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis). Any person who cannot give satisfactory proof of having been immunized previously, or a certificate from a reputable physician showing sufficient reason why any or all immunizations should not be done, shall be immunized as required prior to being admitted to Roane County Schools.
Persons enrolling from schools outside of the state may be provisionally enrolled under minimum criteria established by the director of the department of health, so that the person's immunizations may be completed while missing a minimum amount of school. No person, however shall be allowed to enter school without at least one (1) dose of each required vaccine. This does not apply to students who have already attended school in West Virginia and have already met the immunization requirements of state law for admittance, or prevent "provisional" admittance. The Principal shall contact the school where the child was previously enrolled to obtain a temporary record of immunization.
KINDERGARTNERS: DTP: Before admission to kindergarten, must have at least POLIO: Before admission to kindergarten, must have at least three (3) doses including one (1) dose on or after the 4th birthday of either OPV or IPV MEASLES: Before admission to kindergarten, two (2) doses are required. RUBELLA: Before admission to kindergarten, two (2) doses are required.
OUT-OF-STATE TRANSFERS:
DTP: Before admission, must have at least three (3) doses, including one (1) dose on or after the 4th birthday.* POLIO: Before admission, must have at least three (3) doses, including one (1) dose on or after the 4th birthday, or either OPV or IPV.* MEASLES:
- Before admission to Grades 1-12, one (1) dose is required; two (2) doses are required before admission to kindergarten.
RUBELLA:
- Before admission to Grades 1-12, one (1) dose is required; two (2) doses are required before admission to kindergarten.
- * After one (1) dose of each required vaccine series is given for DTP and POLIO as listed above, an OUT-OF-STATE TRANSFER student may be admitted and allowed 90 days to complete the remaining doses.
COMPULSORY TUBERCULOSIS TESTING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
All kindergarten pupils and all first grade pupils who have not had an approved tuberculin skin test, and all students transferring from a school located outside West Virginia, shall furnish a "certificate" from a licensed physician stating that a tuberculin skin test approved by the director of the department of health has been made within four (4) months prior to the beginning of the school year.
If a pupil has moved to West Virginia from another state less than four months prior to starting the school year, the pupil shall have a tuberculin skin test as soon in advance of the start of school as is reasonable. If the school year has already started, the pupil shall take such test within one (1) month of the time s/he enters school.
Test results must be recorded on the "certificate." Positive reactors to the skin test must be immediately evaluated by a physician and, if medically indicated, x-rayed. Such students should also receive periodic x-rays thereafter if medically indicated. Pupils found to have tuberculosis in a communicable stage will not be allowed to attend school until their disease has been arrested and is no longer communicable. For more information concerning immunizations contact your local doctor or the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health at 1-800-642-3634.
Subject to the regulations of the State of West Virginia, the School Principal may exclude from the school any students known to have (or suspected of having) any infectious disease, and will immediately notify the parent or guardian and proper health authorities of the exclusion. Any pupil so excluded may not be readmitted to the school until the pupil has complied with all of the requirements of the rules governing such cases, or has presented a certificate of health signed by the proper health authority or a physician attending to the child. The rules of the local Board of Health of the State Department of Health pertaining to communicable diseases among school children apply in determining periods of incubation, communicability, and quarantine.
Students experiencing symptoms such as fever, cold/congestion, sore throat, persistent cough, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, ear ache, or rash should remain at home until they return to health and these symptoms disappear. Children with infectious conditions such as pink eye, impetigo, ringworm, scabies or lice are not permitted in school until it can be verified that their condition has been treated.
Roane County Schools will not administer medicine to any child without signed permission from the parent or doctor stating the following information:
Roane County Schools shall condone the use of prescription medications only if they are prescribed by a licensed physician; other non-prescription medications will only be administered with the written consent of the parent. Medications must be turned in to the classroom teacher or School Office. Drugs will be administered by a teacher, the Principal, a school nurse or Principal's designee in accordance with the directions of the doctor and the request of the parent. If a student requires a medication for a period of time longer than three weeks, the classroom teacher shall record the medication administered on a daily log sheet.
The original properly-labeled bottle is required when sending any medication to school. At the end of the school year, or at the end of the period specified for medication administration, all medicine remaining shall be picked up by the parent or it shall be disposed of. Medication requiring administration by injection shall be given in the school only under conditions specifically listed by the Roane County Board of Education; contact your School Principal for details is necessary.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT/INSURANCE
Roane County Schools request that parents complete an "Emergency Medical Treatment" permission form to remain on file in the School Office for each student. The purpose of this form is to enable the school to administer emergency first aid, and provide for emergency treatment of students by a teacher, the Principal, a school nurse or a licensed physician, in the event that a parent could not be contacted in an emergency. It is the responsibility of each child's parent(s) or guardian(s) to clearly communicate the special health needs of their children to appropriate school personnel in a timely manner.
Information concerning student insurance, which may supplement your regular family medical insurance, is sent home with each child. The School Office may be contacted for the proepr forms if your child is involved in an accident. These forms should be completed by your physician and forwarded to the insurance agent. Neither the school nor the Board of Education is responsible for paying medical costs or property damages that result from accidents during the school day, so the purchase of student insurance is highly recommended.
As a service to your child, Roane County Schools may make available the following "health screenings" for its students: heights & weights, vision, hearing, speech, language, scoliosis, dental, and physical examinations (at designated grade levels). Should you not wish your child to participate in this year's "health screenings," please inform the school in writing with ten (10) calendar days of receiving this notification each year.
While counseling and health guidance is available, our school Health Department doese not diagnose, prescribe treatment, treat injuries happening at home, or give treatment other than first aid. For additional information requiring health regulations or services, you many contact our Director of Student Services or your family doctor.