Vaccination Information for Students
NYS Department of Education Requirements:
Please note: There is a 14 day window (from the 1st day of school) to complete ALL vaccination requirements or the student will be excluded from school until all vaccination requirements have been met. This may be extended to 30 days for students transferring from out-of-state or another country.
Sixth Grade: Tetanus/Diphtheria/ Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap) – All 6th grade students, 11 years old by the first day of school in the fall, must have a Tdap vaccine. If the student is 10 years old upon entry into the 6th grade, they must receive the Tdap vaccine upon turning 11 years old.
Seventh Grade: Meningococcal Vaccine – Students entering the 7th grade must have 1 dose of Meningococcal vaccine.
Twelfth Grade: Meningococcal Vaccine – Students entering the 12th grade must have 2 doses of Meningococcal vaccine OR 1 dose if that dose was received at age 16 or older.
Vaccine Requirements: Universal Pre-K (UPK)
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis Vaccine (DtaP): 4 doses
- Polio: 3 doses
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR): 1 dose
- Hepatitis B: 3 doses
- Varicella (Chickenpox): 1 dose
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) : 1 to 4 doses
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV): 1 to 4 doses
Vaccine Requirements Kindergarten
- Diphtheria / Tetanus / Pertussis Vaccine (DtaP): 5 doses or 4 doses if the 4th dose was received at age 4 or older
- Polio: 4 doses or 3 doses if the 3rd dose was received at age 4 or older
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): 2 doses
- Hepatitis B: 3 doses
- Varicella (Chickenpox): 2 doses If your child has had chickenpox disease, verification of the disease is required including: blood test that proves immunity or documentation of the disease from your health care provider.
Please provide the most up-to-date record of immunizations to the student’s health office, and you can contact your child’s health office with any questions.
Due to legislation signed on June 13, 2019, there is no longer a religious exemption to the requirement that children be vaccinated to attend public, private, or parochial school.
Physical Examinations: NYS Department of Education Physical Exams Requirements for Entry:
- All new entrants
- All students in grades UPK or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.
- The physical must be within one year prior to the first day of school.
- If your student has a current physical, please send a copy to the nurse’s office
Hearing and Vision Screening
It is suggested that schools notify parents when hearing and vision screenings are going to take place. Students in grades UPK or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11 as well as newly enrolled students within 6 months of admission to school, who did not have a hearing and/or vision screening noted on their physical exam, require screening in school.
Parents with questions or concerns related to their student’s hearing and/or vision, are encouraged to contact their school nurse.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Requirement for Students
As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and their height is measured. These numbers are used to compute the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’. The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low.
New York State Education Law requires that BMI and weight status group information be included as part of the student’s school health examination. School districts are required to submit this data to the New York State Department of Health.
Only summary information is sent. No names and no information about individual students will be sent. You may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report.
If you do NOT wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the Health Department’s survey, please contact your building nurse.
Dental Health Certificates
Children in New York State are encouraged to obtain dental health certificates declaring their readiness to attend schools at the time of entry and in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The purpose is to determine a child’s fitness to attend school, determining whether any painful conditions, obvious swelling related to cavities, or any other condition exists that will interfere with a student’s ability to focus on school activities.
Registration Requirements
For information about registering your student, go to the Registration Section of the website at: https://www.westgenesee.org/district-services/registration/.
If you are not sure which school your child should attend, contact the Central Registration at 315-487-4683.
When registering, parents need to send in proof of immunizations, proof of age, and proof of residency. These document copies can be electronically sent in or dropped off at the District Office front door.
A physical examination is also required and a dental certificate is requested for entry into kindergarten. These examinations should be done up to one year prior to the first day of school. Children who enter kindergarten this fall must be five years of age on or before December 1, 2020. Immunization requirements are located above to the right.
Sports Physical Examinations
Student athletes participating in sports, must have submitted a physical exam dated within a year of the start of the sport for which they are registering. Those who have not previously had a physical exam must obtain an exam prior to participation in sports.
The examination form is available on the website on the Health Services section or directly at: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/documents/health-exam-form.pdf.