Dear Parents,

As students return to school, I would like to offer some reminders and new information. If your child needs to take medication at school during the school year, we will need a new Doctors Order for the 2009-2010 school year. This will require your signature on our medication policy form.

This is also a good time to make a routine check for head lice. Students have been to summer camps, sleepovers, etc. where they may have had an increased chance to contact lice. If you do find lice or nits (the eggs) contact either Harmony or myself and we can give you further advice on how to treat the problem.

New immunizations need to be reported to the nurse so we can keep your child's health record up to date. This year's Kindergarten and grade one students are now required to have a Varicella (chickenpox) shot. During the next 3 years the State is going to increase that requirement to cover more grades so that in 2009 all students through grade 12 will be required to have had the shot. Exemptions from the Varicella shot will be given only for doctor diagnosis proof of the disease, doctor medical exemption or a yearly letter from the parent stating their philosophical reason for not having shots. This makes it wise to have your child receive the Varicella during one of the next regularly scheduled appointments with their family physician.

Thank you,

Audrey York
Harmony Beaton