A Seattle middle school is going to remote learning because of one case of measles. I'm not quite understanding the emergency, since all children are supposed to have a measles vaccine. Is this the new trend after Covid?
Years ago in California, when there was a measles outbreak, the policy was that anybody not vaccinated was excluded from school until the outbreak was over. They were less strict about vaccinations back in the '80s. Washington state became very strict about it a few years ago. So I don't understand the rationale in shutting the doors of the school for one case of measles, rather than just offering remote learning for the immunocompromised, or other people unable to get the vaccine.
While the Aki Kurose staff has been incredibly responsive, tracking down adult immunization records quickly can be challenging, especially for individuals who have moved to Seattle from out of state.
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As we continue to verify staff immunization records, we will evaluate if we can resume in-person instruction sooner than Monday, June 5. We will provide an update as soon as possible.
It is not down to student records...Tell me I am wrong but don't all school employees have to have a documented vaccination record for all childhood diseases and then some?
Why couldn't the school continue education in person ( with who are vaccinated) with a structure to provide a reasonable day of learning?
Get them into an assembly room. Have them watch a movie like "West Side story". Considering their ages. After the movie talk about the themes presented...talk about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Oh well, I really do not know about learning on Zoom. Teachers are masters at creating age-appropriate lessons. I just seems a shame to have their education interrupted by a staff clerical issue.
It is not down to student records...Tell me I am wrong but don't all school employees have to have a documented vaccination record for all childhood diseases and then some?
Why couldn't the school continue education in person ( with who are vaccinated) with a structure to provide a reasonable day of learning?
Get them into an assembly room. Have them watch a movie like "West Side story". Considering their ages. After the movie talk about the themes presented...talk about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Oh well, I really do not know about learning on Zoom. Teachers are masters at creating age-appropriate lessons. I just seems a shame to have their education interrupted by a staff clerical issue.
A lot of learning happens 'on the fly'
Generally speaking, adults working with that age group do not have to provide proof of vaccination. I cannot comment specifically on Washington State, but in Massachusetts, only staff working in Early Childhood Education (daycare/pre-k through kindergarten - I.e. the students who are most likely to be under-vaccinated due to not being of age to complete their series) need to provide proof of vaccination or immunity. All other staff just has to check a box stating that they either had chicken pox or were vaccinated against it - and nothing on MMR.
And as far as remote vs. "general assembly" learning - there may be minimum student to adult ratios that need to be upheld. If a student has a 1:1 and their 1:1 is out because of a lack of records, and you can't get a sub, then you are denying that child the opportunity to learn which is a violation of their rights. With remote learning, there is no excuse for staff to not log on, and same for kids.
Additionally, the press releases make it sound like this was a decision made by DPH in Washington State, not a willy-nilly "lets just go remote!" plan. What DPH says, goes in public schools. They are the ultimate authority on health and safety.
All other staff just has to check a box stating that they either had chicken pox or were vaccinated against it - and nothing on MMR.
I was concerned, based on my age, about my titre and getting my titre checked showed in fact, I WAS under immunized. I took it upon myself, as the health professional in the building and in daily contact with both vaccinated and underimmunized kids, to ensure that I would not be infected and become a risk to those who are not vaccinated.
And as far as remote vs. "general assembly" learning - there may be minimum student to adult ratios that need to be upheld. If a student has a 1:1 and their 1:1 is out because of a lack of records, and you can't get a sub, then you are denying that child the opportunity to learn which is a violation of their rights. With remote learning, there is no excuse for staff to not log on, and same for kids.
Thank you for explaining. I do not have the right to criticize as I do not work in this field. I shouldn't speak out on things I do not know about. I wish all the children, staff, administrators and school nurses the best. What a thing to go through.. exceptionally when everyone is tired and looking to the Summer break!
I was concerned, based on my age, about my titre and getting my titre checked showed in fact, I WAS under immunized. I took it upon myself, as the health professional in the building and in daily contact with both vaccinated and underimmunized kids, to ensure that I would not be infected and become a risk to those who are not vaccinated.
I also have had titers done, but that's more because I was starting an immunomodulator medication and they wanted to make sure all my imms were up to date prior to starting. Thankfully, my MMR & Varicella titers were off the charts.
I do believe the nurses need to provide proof of these immunizations, but I will say, I think all staff should at least provide immunization records. We end up floating support staff all over. Like, if an instructional assistant was hired to help with math in 4-6th grades, but we are short in pre-k, that person might end up in the pre-k classroom and potentially exposing themselves or the kids. I'm now thinking I Need to open that can of worms with administration - it's been common practice for years, but technically, unless they have provided that documentation, they aren't supposed to be working in those classrooms!
I'm now thinking I Need to open that can of worms with administration - it's been common practice for years, but technically, unless they have provided that documentation, they aren't supposed to be working in those classrooms!
I was concerned, based on my age, about my titre and getting my titre checked showed in fact, I WAS under immunized. I took it upon myself, as the health professional in the building and in daily contact with both vaccinated and underimmunized kids, to ensure that I would not be infected and become a risk to those who are not vaccinated.
Folks who only got 1 MMR vaccine are more likely to have waning immunity.
Revealing my age, I know (I'm an early 1908s baby), but when I was a baby, the MMR series was 1 injection at age 1. Now it is 2; 1 at 12 to 15 months, and the 2nd at age 4+.
When I was 17 and preparing to go to college, my college required 2 MMR doses. So I got my second dose at 17.
I am a second degree RN, and prior to starting clinicals, we had to have titers down to prove continued immunity. My immunity was fine, as was the rest of my cohort that had two vaccine series. My colleagues that were older than me and only had a 1 dose series, were not immune and needed boosters.
londonflo
3,002 Posts
It is not down to student records...Tell me I am wrong but don't all school employees have to have a documented vaccination record for all childhood diseases and then some?
Why couldn't the school continue education in person ( with who are vaccinated) with a structure to provide a reasonable day of learning?
Get them into an assembly room. Have them watch a movie like "West Side story". Considering their ages. After the movie talk about the themes presented...talk about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Oh well, I really do not know about learning on Zoom. Teachers are masters at creating age-appropriate lessons. I just seems a shame to have their education interrupted by a staff clerical issue.
A lot of learning happens 'on the fly'