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PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
Why
does my child need a physical? School physicals and
immunizations, prior to school entry, are important to
ensure that your child
and the children around them are healthy and that they
have no physical deficiency (growth and development,
hearing, vision, scoliosis) which may prevent learning.
One more important reason, if your child does not have a
school physical, they will not be allowed to attend
school. (Note that a Sports Physical is not the same as
a School Physical.)
Who needs a
school physical? A school physical is required by
the State of Florida for every child entering
kindergarten and any child that will be attending a
Florida school for the first time, regardless of age.
What will the school need for my child’s physical?
The school requires a school physical examination form
that has been completed within the previous 12 months
prior to start of school. The form must be completed and
signed by a health care provider licensed to perform
school physicals.
 Students
transferring from another state may have a comparable
school health physical form if completed within one
year.
 Where can my child get a school physical? An
appointment can be made at one of the
Charlotte County Health
Department Clinics or your private physician.
When should I schedule my child’s physical? Keep
in mind that you should make your appointment well prior
to school starting because most clinics are very busy
with last minute physicals. Remember, school physicals
can be scheduled and completed within 12 months prior to
the start of school.
How often will my child need a physical? School
physicals are only required the one time for entry into
Florida Schools, but discuss with your health care
provider about additional Well Child Checks that are
beneficial to your child’s growth and development.
Additionally, the school nurse will conduct screenings
within the first semester of the school year for
students enrolled in the 1st, 3rd and 6th grades for
growth and development. (Body Mass Index). Students in
Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 6th grades will be screened
for vision deficiencies. Students in Kindergarten, 1st
and 6th grades will be screened for hearing
deficiencies; and 6th graders will also be screened for
scoliosis. These are not physicals and if any
deficiencies are identified during the screenings, a
referral letter will be sent to the parents requesting a
follow up by a licensed medical professional.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Why does my child need immunizations? Immunizations
are very important to protect your child from diseases.
 Germs
that cause vaccine-preventable diseases and death still
exist and can be passed on to an unvaccinated child or
adult.
Additionally, current immunizations are required by the
schools.
The Florida Certification of Immunization must be
completed by a Florida physician or a Florida County
Health Department.
Religious Exemptions – If your child has a
religious or medical exemption from being immunized they
will not be allowed to attend school if there is an
outbreak of a disease. This is to protect them from
exposure to the disease.
What Parents Need to Know About Vaccines and
Immunizations
What Would Happen if We Stopped Vaccinations?
What immunizations will my child need for school?
There are different recommended
vaccines for various ages. Always check with
your local school and health care provider.
Charlotte County Public Schools immunization
requirements may be different than other school
districts.
Who decides what immunizations my child needs?
Your school’s nurse or your own health care provider can
help you make that decision.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
provides the most current and up to date information on
vaccine preventable diseases.
Where
can my child get immunized? Charlotte County Health
Department provides an annual immunization clinic at
each of the four middle schools for 6th grade students.
These immunizations are required for your child to enter
7th grade. The school will give permission slips to each
student to bring home and return with their parent’s or
guardian’s signature. Immunizations are also given at
all the Charlotte County Health
Department Clinics, other county health departments,
or your private health care provider.
The immunizations are free for all children up to the
age of 18.
How can I get a copy of my child’s immunization
record? These forms can be obtained at one of the
Charlotte County Health Department Clinics, other county
health departments, or your private physician. Most
immunizations given in Florida will be in the
FloridaShots database.
Parents moving to Florida should obtain a copy of their
child’s immunization history before leaving their
current state of residency.
For more information on Charlotte County Public School
requirements you may want to visit:
Charlotte County Public Schools K-12.
SCHOOL HEALTH BASED SERVICES
School based health services are an important component
of the Public Health system and help assure that Florida
students are healthy in the classroom and ready to
learn. Charlotte County Health Department ensures that
the local school districts adhere to the rules and
regulations of the Florida Statues fs381.0056.
Nurses in the health room are action forces that impact
the lives of students while they are in school. They do
assessments, they council, they treat cuts and bruises.
After an application of an ice pack on an injured body
part, they check a pulse rate, do a blood pressure, and
take a temperature. They notify the parent or send the
student back to the classroom.
Nurses are a glowing
lamp in the dark. |
