Preschool Screening Wednesday, April 10th and Thursday, April 11th.  Call Clark School for appointment at 1.815.389.2311.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Parents/Guardians of 6th -12th graders:

Numerous outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough) have occurred recently among school children in Illinois.  Pertussis is easily transmitted through coughing and sneezing and may cause an illness that persisits for weeks to months. Pertussis can be life-threatening in infants and individuals with chronic illnesses.  Protection against pertussis starts to wear off during grade school, leaving pre-teens, teenagers, and adults at risk.

To address this increase in pertussis cases among older students, the Illinois Department of Public Health is enforcing a new requirement for next school year (2012-2013).

This fall, students entering 6th through 12th grades are required to provide proof of a Tdap vaccination. This is not a new vaccination. This will be selectively enforced in the coming school year for the 6th and 9th graders. In school year 2013-2014, all students in 6th through 12th will be required to have this vaccination. Your child may have already had this vaccination, but please clarify this with their physician as there may be a difference in the way this was recorded on your child's health record. Please bring this confirmation to your child's School Health office or to registration. Your child can be excluded if this requirement is not completed.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1.815.289.1385 or 1.815.389.4001 Ext. 4160.  Thank you.

Jeanne Nichols and Vicki Akerman