THE METRO EAST MONTESSORI SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION POLICY
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Immunization Policy (“Policy”) is to protect the health and safety of the students at Metro East Montessori School (“MEMS”), and to minimize the exposure to and transmission of preventable communicable diseases at MEMS by creating and enforcing certain immunization standards for students, consistent with state requirements and exemptions, as applicable to MEMS.
POLICY:
The State of Illinois and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommend certain immunizations for school-age children. Subject to certain exemptions, which are further explained in this Policy, it is the policy of MEMS that each enrolled student is fully immunized and current on all recommended immunizations for such individual’s status and age, as required by state law. (See 77 Ill. Admin. Code Sections 665.230 and 240). In no event will less than 95% of MEMS’ New student population (the “Immunization Threshold”) meet the immunization requirements established by state law and set forth in this Policy. In calculating the Immunization Threshold, MEMS reserves the right to round its calculation to the nearest 5%. MEMS may increase the Immunization Threshold at any time in its sole discretion. MEMS will maintain appropriate documentation of all student immunizations and waivers.
MEMS’ Policy is based on and intended to be a reflection of the best practices with respect to the immunization of school-age children, as recommended by Illinois law, the CDC, and other reputable health care sources. This means that, in some cases, MEMS’ requirements may, but not necessarily, exceed state standards, or that MEMS may add immunizations required for “full immunization,” in consultation with MEMS’ physician and legal advisers.
Subject to the exemptions and requirements herein, MEMS reserves the right to decline admission to any child who is not fully immunized and reserves the right, during outbreaks of illness, to exclude any child who has not been fully immunized from MEMS until the outbreak is contained or eliminated. In such cases there will be no refund or adjustment of tuition.
DEFINITIONS:
“Fully immunized” means, at a minimum, that the student has received the immunizations required by Illinois law and regulation for attendance at public schools.
“New student” means a student who is newly enrolled in MEMS, including siblings of current students, or students returning to MEMS after attending school elsewhere, including homeschooling.
“Proof of immunization” means documented evidence of the child having received a vaccine, which is verified by a health care provider, such as a physician child care or school health professional, or health official, or documented proof of the applicable disease.
“Student,” “child,” or “enrollee” means any individual who is an existing or returning student at MEMS, or has been accepted for admission at MEMS.
PROCEDURE:
- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Effective March 1, 2015, New students to MEMS must have proof of up-to-date immunizations, unless a waiver has been submitted to, and approved by, MEMS on behalf of any such student. However, if MEMS has reached the Immunization Threshold, MEMS will not accept additional waivers, whatsoever, which means any New student must provide proof of up-to-date immunizations or else be denied admission to MEMS. If for medical reasons, any required immunization must be given after the above date, a schedule for the administration of the immunizations and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay must be signed by the health care provider who will administer the needed immunization(s). This schedule will be kept on file with MEMS. Students transferring from out-of-state will be given an additional thirty (30) days to provide proof of current immunizations.
WAIVERS
Effective March 1, 2015, approval of New student waiver requests will be limited to medical and religious waivers meeting the requirements of this Policy. Existing students with medical or religious waivers will be grandfathered in and allowed to continue at MEMS. Subject to the Immunization Threshold, MEMS will accept immunization waivers on a first come, first serve basis, if the following requirements are met:
- Medical Waiver: Upon enrollment, parents or legal guardians of New students claiming a medical waiver must submit either: (i) a health examination form that is signed by the child’s examining physician stating what medical condition the child has; or (ii) a statement from a licensed physician stating that the physician believes the child is protected against the disease for which immunization is required, stating the reasons for the physician’s belief, and certifying that the physician believes the specific immunization in question is not necessary or indicated. In the event the physical condition of the child changes, thereby permitting the immunization at a later date, the child must then comply the requirements of this Policy.
- Religious Waiver: Upon enrollment, parents or legal guardians of New students claiming a religious waiver must present MEMS with a signed statement of the religious objections, detailing the grounds for the objection and the specific religious belief that conflicts with the immunization. General philosophical or moral reluctance to allow any immunization is not a sufficient basis for objection.
If you have any additional questions regarding this Policy, please feel free to contact us at ______________.