Thank you for your assistance in assuring the safety of all of our students, and we appreciate you putting your trust in us to care for your child. If you have any questions regarding the information below or during the school year, please feel free to contact our school nurse directly.
Immunization Requirements
Effective September 1st, Maine law around immunizations changes to remove the philosophical and religious exemptions from school immunization requirements. At this time, there is no requirement for students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
As a result, unless your child has laboratory evidence or reliable documentation from a healthcare provider of immunity or a medical exemption completed by a qualified healthcare provider, all students MUST receive the required vaccines* below prior to the start of school:
Required for PreK entry:
4 DTaP (3 DTaP if 4th is given on or after 4th birthday)
3 Polio (2 Polio if the 3rd is given on or after the 4th birthday)
1 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
1 Varicella (chickenpox) or reliable history of disease
Required for Kindergarten entry:
5 DTaP (4 DTaP if 4th is given on or after 4th birthday)
4 Polio (3 Polio if the 3rd is given on or after the 4th birthday)
2 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
1 Varicella (chickenpox) or reliable history of disease
Required for 7th grade entry:
1 Tdap
1 Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4)
Required for 12th grade entry:
2 MCV4, only one dose is required if the 1st dose is given on or after 16th birthday
* Each immunization entry must include: vaccine type, date administered, and the name of the provider. Please call your doctor's office today to prevent a delay in starting school.
Dental Clinics
Our district is partnering with Tooth Protectors Inc. to offer Preventative Dental Care at school on the upcoming dates below. Services are available for students WITH or WITHOUT dental insurance.
Dayton - December 3 & 4 and June 3 & 4
Services are FREE to those with MaineCare, self-pay fees are listed on the permission form, and other dental insurance can be billed. To participate, please fill out this form to complete it online.
Medications / Food & Insect Allergies
Please review the district policy on medications: DAYTON Policy.
Should your child need medication at school, please contact the school nurse, and we will be happy to assist you. Please do not send medications to school with your child; schedule a time with the School Nurse for drop-off. Children are not allowed to carry any medications (prescription or over-the-counter) at school without a physician, school nurse, and/or parent authorization. In the case of emergency medications, such as inhalers and EPI PENS, that determination will be made by your child's healthcare provider and school nurse.
If your child has a food or insect allergy, please discuss this with the school nurse. It is important for us to have a treatment plan at the start of each school year by a physician and medications (if needed) on file in the event of an emergency.
School Protocol Around Illness & Return
There has been an increase in the number of reports of children in Maine, and across the U.S., with respiratory illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, enterovirus, influenza, and COVID-19. Our School Nurse would like to remind parents and guardians of the following:
Encourage children to stay home if they are sick to help prevent illnesses in the school setting:
COVID-19: Individuals should stay home until 24 hours after fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medications and symptoms are improving. Updated Guidance.
Influenza: Individuals should stay home until 24 hours after fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medications. Fact Sheet.
Pertussis: Individuals should stay home until they have completed five (5) days of antibiotics. Fact Sheet.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV): Individuals with RSV are usually contagious 3 to 8 days. Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. Fact Sheet.
Colds: There is no standardized recommendation for returning during/after a cold. Individuals with colds are typically infectious for 4-7 days after symptoms begin.
Please contact the school nurse if you have questions or concerns about your child.
Please refer to the chart below for guidance:
SYMPTOM | KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME IF: |
Covid-19 | Our district will continue to follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - March 2024 Updated Guidelines **Should be 24 hours fever-free without medication before returning AND symptoms are improving. |
Fever | He/She has a morning temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or if the temperature is below 100, but he/she is achy, pale, or tired. **Should be 24 hours fever free without medication before returning. |
Stomach Ache | He/She has had two or more episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, or has had one in the past 24 hours and feels tired or ill. **Should be 24 hours without vomiting/diarrhea before returning. |
Sneezing/ Runny Nose/ Congestion | He/She is sneezing a lot, and his/her nose won’t stop running and/or they are unable to contain the nasal congestion. |
Sore Throat | He/She has tender swollen glands and a fever of 100 or higher. |
Cough | He/She coughs frequently, coughs up phlegm, or the cough sounds like a bark or is accompanied by a sore throat or wheezing. |
Ear Ache | His/Her pain is constant or severe- a sign of Otitis Media (ear infection). |
Rash | The rash blisters, develops pus, or is uncomfortable, which can signal chickenpox or impetigo. |
* If symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or worsen, we encourage you to call your child’s physician. |
When we send children home and when to stay home:
Any symptom listed above.
Injuries that may require further medical attention or parent instruction.
Chronic medical conditions that may require further evaluation or parent instruction.
Any other condition for which the health staff determines a medical evaluation is necessary.
Returning to school after illness or injury:
When returning to school, students must be well enough to participate in all activities and be fever free with symptoms improving for 24 hours. If there is a specific restriction from some activity, there must be a note from the student’s health care provider stating the restriction and the expected duration of the restriction.
Head Lice
Please check your child’s hair frequently throughout the year. In the event that your child has head lice, please treat him/her and comb their hair with a lice comb (metal lice comb is recommended) daily for four (4) weeks after initial treatment. Also, please notify the school nurse. If your child will be absent from school, please notify the school office.
