Valley School Health Services
Spring 2009
by Robyn Strong, RN,BSN, Valley School Nurse
Information for Parents of Kindergarten students starting Fall 2009
An on-line booklet called 'Kindergarten is starting soon..Is Your Child Ready?' can be viewed or downloaded at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/common/pdf/kindergarten_brochure.pdf
A copy of the booklet can be found in the elementary office.
A white Kindergarten Physical Form is a health folder. Your child's kindergarten health assessment from your medical provider is on the back. If you did not get the important forms in a manilla folder at the time of kindergarten round-up, please pick up a packet from the office. It contains the kindergarten physical, dental, blood lead test, and vision exam forms.
Your child's current health status and his Health History (form) needs to be completed. It is a blue Developmental Health History form that will be kept confidential in the health office.
The dental check-up is needed as well as the new requirement for blood lead testing of children before the age of 6 yr. old. These were passed into law recently. Your doctor or health care provider can see if the test was done when your child turned 2. This will satisfy the requirement if you have the results recorded on the kindergarten physical by your provider.
The Iowa Department of Public Health follows up on children that have high levels of lead to prevent learning difficulties.
An eye exam by an eye doctor can be recorded on the green vision screening card. Seeing an eye doctor before school entrance is important. School vision screenings are not a substitute for a professional eye exam.
Immunization (shots) requirements prior to starting school can be found at the following link (or you can call to check with your health care provider)
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/common/pdf/immunization/immunization_requirements.pdf
Please remember that your child benefits from the school entrance requirements. There are agencies that can assist with the expense. If you do not have insurance, some free screenings are available. If you do not have a current health care provider. The Kindergarten booklet has 800 phone numbers to call. If you do not have a computer at home we have copies of the booklet for distribution to parents and/or guardians in the elementary office.
