Physical Requirement for K?

[bakert]

Just wondering if you all require a physical and/or dental exam before a student starts kindergarten. In WI, it is not a DPI requirement, but in the past the school has always given out physical and dental forms. However, I hardly ever actually see them! they get filed somewhere....

We have them fill out a health info form that goes over the major stuff: diabetes, seizures, allergies etc. My question is..... is that enough?

[schooldistrictnurse]

I'm also in WI (go Pack!) and our registration "health" letter to new K4/K5 families says a healthy student is a better learner etc etc etc. We include an OPTIONAL very simple health exam form and encourage dental visits twice yearly, but no form for that. In the elementary schools, I'd say the return on the health form is around 10%. We send another OPTIONAL health form as students enter 6 and again at 9. This form is different from the WIAA physical form for althletic participation. The return on those is a little higher(!!!!!)

[Wave Watcher]

We require a full physical at least no more than one year prior to K registration. We do not require a dental evaluation.

Our K's physical is signed on the State Immunization form they have to turn in by first day of class or they can not attend school.

We also send out a health history form that should be returned to nursing services that asks about any chronic illness or health related issues we need to be aware of while the child is at school. You would be surprised at what the parents will not tell the school. We had a diabetic in our schools system for 2 weeks and NO ONE knew about it. The child was NOT receiving diabetic care during those 2 weeks. We had no way of knowing what was going because the parent did not return any paper work or contact the nurse or district about her child and medical needs.

[bell1962]

Physicals are required for K,2, 4, 7, and 10th grades. Forms are sent out,however we do not always get them all back. Dental exams are recommended for the same grade levels but not required.

[kidzcare]

I'm in Illinois.

Physical required for K, 6, and 9. Districts can opt to exclude on first day if they aren't turned in with all required immunizations fulfilled (or documented religious or medical objection). October 15 is the states exclusion date if the district has not set an earlier one. Students are excluded until it is turned in.

[OldDude]

We don't require physicals until the kids get into athletics in 7th grade...but I wish we did; especially now that I'm seeing so many KG kids weighing over 100 pounds. When I first started school nursing the state required us to screen 7th graders for acanthosis. After a few years 5th grade was included for screening, then 3rd grade was included and now 1st grade. Yes, we have 1st graders with acanthosis. Maybe a physical requirement wouldn't put a stop to the obesity epidemic in this area but it would at least contribute to the awareness.