WESTFIELD – Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Administrator of Special Education and Related Services Dr. Martha H. von Mering want parents and guardians to know that students must have their physical exams and immunizations by Sept. 29, or they will not be able to come to schools.
Immunizations are required by both district policy and state law.
“We are going to be fully enforcing this policy this year,” Czaporowski said. There is a grace period of 30 days, up to Sept. 29, in order for all paperwork to be turned into the school. He said in the past, the district has allowed longer grace period than they should have.
“Everybody is going to be able to come to school,” Czaporowski said. After the first day, if the paperwork has not been submitted, families will receive a letter reminding them. He said a final notice will be sent out 10 days before the end of the grace period.
“Then, if you don’t have the physical exam and immunizations required by law, you won’t be able to come to school,” the superintendent said, adding, “I can’t break the law. Our school policy is based on Mass General Laws.”
Physical exams are required for students entering grades 4, 7 and 11, and for students new to the district. Health records from another district may be transferred to Westfield.
Immunizations are required for children two years of age, by kindergarten, and by seventh grade (see chart below)
Czaporowski said immunizations are required to protect other students, and are important for the safety of all students and staff in all of the buildings.
“Our job is ensuring safety. This is one of the many facets of this,” Czaporowski said. “Parents have a right to expect when they send their child to school, they are not putting them at risk.” He also said that physical paperwork must be turned in, so the school nurses may understand any medical concerns of all the students for which they are responsible.
Von Mering said there are two exemptions allowed under the Mass General Law. The first is for medical reasons, such as a student being allergic to a vaccine. A physician has to submit documentation that confirms the vaccine is contra-indicated.
The second is a religious exemption. A statement must be submitted by a parent or guardian that immunizations are in conflict with sincere religious beliefs. Von Mering said anyone with true philosophical differences with the requirement, can also fill out a religious exemption.
“Medical and religious exemptions must be renewed every year,” Czaporowski said.
Students that participate in athletics are also required to have a physical annually. The district has two doctors at Baystate Noble, Dr. Stanley Strzempko and Dr. Brian Sutton, who give twice a year physicals for athletes, before fall/winter and spring sports, at no cost to students.
“Every district must have a doctor,” von Mering said.
Czaporowski said in the event of a hardship, the district will help families to obtain physical exams for their children. He said anybody needing help may contact their school nurse, who will make arrangements for them.
Von Mering said there are only a handful every year who have not met the requirements. She said at the start of the school year, there may be 50, but that number quickly goes down to about 15.
Since the district has not historically enforced a strict 30-day grace period, Czaporowski and von Mering said they want people to know ahead of time that this year they will be doing so.
“We have to. We want people to know ahead of time, so they will not be caught by surprise,” Czaporowski said, adding, “We will help any family in need of shot or a physical. We will work with them. We just need to be in compliance.”
