Kindergarten
and students new to NC Public Schools

In accordance with state law, any student enrolling into a North Carolina school for the first time must have a current health assessment and required immunizations.

• 5-DTaP Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP)
• 4-Polio
• 2-MMR: Measels, Mumps & Rubella
• 4-Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib)
• 3-Hepatitis B (Hep B)
• 2-Varicella (chickenpox)
• 4-Pneumococcal conjugate

North Carolina Law N.C.G.S. § 130 A 440 (a) requires a health assessment for any child entering a North Carolina public school for the first time. The health assessment must be recorded on the NC Health Assessment Transmittal Form Rev. January 2016.

⇒NC Health Assessment

Seventh Grade

Students should be up-to-date on all the vaccines required for kindergarten entry. In addition, students are required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis-Whooping Cough) and one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

Twelfth Grade

Students should be up-to-date on all vaccines required for kindergarten and seventh grade entry. Twelfth graders are required to have an additional dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine for a total of two doses. A second dose is not required if the first dose was given after the 16th birthday.

►If you feel your child has a medical or religious exemption for immunizations visit: NC DPH, WCH: Immunization: Schools and Childcare Facilities (ncdhhs.gov)

►For more information on immunizations visit: NC DPH, WCH: Immunization: Schools and Childcare Facilities (ncdhhs.gov)

PRE-K

A health assessment is required to be on file when a child enters the NC Pre-K Program and the assessment may be no more than 12 months old at the time of entry. The health assessment must include the following:

• physical examination
• updated immunizations
• vision screening
• hearing screening
• dental screening

Forms that capture and report all required health information per NC Child Care Rule .3005 and are signed/dated by a health care provider will meet the requirements of the rule. The DCDEE Children's Medical Report collects all the required health information to include the vision, hearing and dental screenings. The NC Department of Instruction NC Health Assessment Transmittal Form (HAForm2016) collects all required health information except for the dental screening. If the HAForm2016 is used, a separate Dental Screening form will also need to be completed by a health care provider.

NC Pre-K Immunization Requirements:

• 4 DTaP- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP)
• 3 Hep B-Hepatitis B (Hep B)
• 3-4 Hib-Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• 1 MMR-Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• 3 Polio
• 4 PCV-Pneumococcal
• 1 Var-Varicella

Forms
⇒NC Childrens Medical Report

If your student has a chronic health condition (such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, and seizure disorders) we ask you to fill out an EAP (Emergency Action Plan). School nurses communicate this plan to all of your child's teachers so that everyone knows the signs and symptoms of your student's illness and how to help them in an emergency.

If your student needs to take a medication at school there are several key components of our medication policy for you to know:

• All medication given at school must have a Medication Order Form filled out by your health care provider before the medicine can be brought to school. This includes over-the-counter medication.
• The only medications students are allowed to self-administer are emergency medications for asthma, anaphylaxis, and diabetes. The student’s healthcare provider and parent/guardian must indicate they want the student to self-administer these medication.
• All medication must be transported to and from school by a parent/guardian or other responsible adult (the only exceptions are medications allowed to be self-administered). Medication must be in the original container with the pharmacy issued label.

View the full Richmond County Schools medication policy here: Medication Policy

Forms
⇒Medication or Procedure Order Form
⇒Medication or Procedure Order Form-Spanish

We recognize that some students have special dietary needs due to a medical reason, such as allergy, intolerance or therapeutic diet. To accommodate these needs we need a completed Diet Order from your child’s physician/health care provider indicating your child’s dietary needs, allergies or food substitutions.

⇒Medical Statement-Diet Order English
⇒Medical Statement-Diet Order Spanish

Milk Substitution

You may request a non-dairy milk substitute for your child should they have a medical or dietary need by filling out the form below.

⇒Milk/Fluid Substitution English
⇒Milk/Fluid Substitution Spanish

Students that are enrolled in a school-sponsored sport are required to follow the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Act for Return to Play and Learning. Students with concussions outside of school-sponsored sports, or non-sport-related concussions should bring documentation of the concussion to the school nurse for assistance with care and accommodation at school. We are required to follow Return to Learn Guidelines and provide students with the accommodation they need at school. The school nurse will serve as an advocate helping you and your child throughout the process.

Forms and Resources

⇒Concussion Policy
⇒Concussion Medical Care Plan
⇒Concussion Information for Parents

Students should stay home from school if they are experiencing any of the following:

• A fever of 100.4 or higher in the last 24 hours
• Vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours
• A rash with fever
• Symptoms that keep your child from participating in school such as: Very tired, unable to focus in class or lack of appetite.
• Cough that he or she cannot control or sneezing often. Headache, body aches and/or ear aches.
• Severe sore throat with or without fever 
• Eye drainage - thick mucus or pus from eye, includes uncontrollable itching
• Head lice

⇒Guidelines on Returning To School

⇒Guidelines on Returning To School-Spanish

Each year the Richmond County Schools Health Team conducts hearing and vision screenings for students. The purpose of these screenings is to identify any possible issues that could be a deterrent to the student's educational performance. Should a student need additional testing, the school nurse will send a note home.

If you do not wish for your child to participate in health screenings, you must notify your child's teacher in writing.

Garrett's Law was enacted by the North Carolina legislature in 2004.  It mandates that schools provide information to parents and guardians about meningococcal meningitis and influenza and the vaccines that protect against these diseases.  The law was expanded in 2007 to include information about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccines to protect against HPV. Listed below are resources regarding Meningococcal meningitis, Flu, & HPV:

⇒Information on Meningococcal Meningitis

⇒A Guide for Parents on Influenza

⇒HPV Infographic