Appleton Area School District

When you open enrolled your student to become a student at Wisconsin Connections Academy, your student also became a part of the Appleton Area School District.  As students of the Appleton Area School District, there is information that needs to be provided to you.  Below are district reminders for the beginning of the school year.

Immunizations: What’s New?
Over the last several years, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has made several new recommendations regarding childhood and adolescent immunizations.  Two of these changes have become a part of the Wisconsin Immunization Law and are required for school attendance.  Other changes are recommendations and have not become a part of the Wisconsin Immunization Law. 

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS
Varicella vaccine (Chickenpox vaccine): Two doses of varicella vaccine are now required for all students in grades kindergarten through twelve.  The first dose is given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose is given at 4-6 years of age.  Many children have experienced a mild form of the chickenpox disease even after being vaccinated with the varicella vaccine.  It is now known that one dose of vaccine may not give adequate immunity to all children.  If your school-age child has been given one dose of the varicella vaccine, a second dose is required. (Exception:  If a child has had the chickenpox disease, vaccination is not required.)

Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap): This single dose of vaccine takes the place of the tetanus (Td) vaccine at age 11-12 years and is required for students in grades six through twelve.  It can be given if 5 years have elapsed since the last DTap/DTP dose (kindergarten shots).  This vaccine helps to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).  It is often referred to as a “booster” dose since it boosts the immune system from previous DTP/DTap doses.  Only one booster dose is necessary.  After receiving the Tdap vaccine, a booster with the Td vaccine is recommended every 10 years.

RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: This is a three dose series of vaccine given to girls and boys at age 11-12 years to protect against diseases caused by the human papillomavirus. 

This vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer in females, if it is given before exposure to the virus.  In addition, it can prevent other cancers in both males and females.  The second and third doses of vaccine should be administered 2 and 6 months after the first dose.  This vaccine is recommended for the following people who have not completed the 3-dose series:  Females age 13 through 26 years of age; Males age 13 through 21 years of age.

Hepatitis A: This is a two dose series of vaccine that is given to protect against the Hepatitis A infection.  The first dose is given at 12-23 months old and the second dose is given 6 months later.  Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver.  The virus is often transmitted by drinking contaminated water or eating food that has been contaminated by an infected person.  It is recommended that all children ages 2 years and older be vaccinated.

Meningococcal vaccine: Two doses of vaccine are recommended for adolescents 11 through 18 years of age: the first dose at 11 or 12 years of age, with a booster dose at age 16.  This vaccine protects against meningococcal disease, a cause of bacterial meningitis and blood infections.  If the first dose is given after the 16th birthday, a booster dose is not needed.

Visit the following websites for more information: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/, www.immunize.org, and www.immunizationinfo.org
   
Please consult your health care provider for recommendations regarding immunizations for your child.

Accident Insurance
We wish to emphasize that the school district does not provide any type of health or accident insurance for injuries incurred by your child at school.
As a service to students and their families, our school is making available an 80/20 student accident insurance plan for your child at a very nominal cost. The premium for this policy is minimal per year for school-time coverage. All school-sponsored and supervised activities and time spent in school are covered in accordance with the terms and limitations of the policy. For an increased premium, the policy will cover your child 24-hours a day, 12 months a year, rather than only during school-time. For students in grades 9-12, there are additional options available to cover interscholastic sports.
The plan is underwritten by the Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company: The agent is First Agency, Inc., 5071 West H Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009-8501. You can find more information about this accident plan and/or enroll your child by going to www.1stAgency.com.

 Meningococcal Disease: Protect Your Child
Public health authorities recommend that teenagers and college-bound students be immunized against a potentially fatal bacterial infection called meningococcal disease, a type of meningitis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading medical organizations recommend routine meningococcal immunization for adolescents during the preadolescent doctor’s visit (11- to 12-year-olds), adolescents at high school entry (15-year-olds) if they have not previously been immunized, and for college freshmen living in dormitories.

Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause severe swelling of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or a serious blood infection (meningococcemia).  Meningococcal disease strikes up to 3,000 Americans each year; nearly 30 percent of these cases are among teenagers and college students.

A meningococcal vaccine is available for use among persons aged 11 to 55 years, which provides protection against four of the five types of bacteria that cause meningococcal disease.  Many parents are unaware of the dangers the disease poses to their children and that a vaccine is available that may help to prevent up to 83 percent of cases among teens and college students.

Immunization is the most effective way to prevent this very serious disease

About Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is often misdiagnosed as something less serious because early symptoms are similar to common viral illnesses.  Symptoms of meningococcal disease may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, exhaustion and/or a rash.

Meningococcal disease is spread through direct contact with respiratory and/or oral secretions from infected persons (for example, kissing or sharing drinking containers).  It can develop and spread quickly throughout the body, so early diagnosis and treatment are very important.  Even with immediate treatment, the disease can kill an otherwise healthy young person within hours of first symptoms.  Of those who survive, up to 20 percent may endure permanent disabilities, including brain damage, deafness and limb amputations.

Lifestyle factors common among teenagers and college students are believed to put them at increased risk of contracting meningococcal disease.  These lifestyle factors include crowded living situations (for example, dormitories, sleep-away camps), active or passive smoking and irregular sleeping habits.  Teens should avoid sharing eating utensils and drinking out of the same container, since infections may spread through this type of close contact.

To learn more about meningococcal disease, vaccine information, and public health resources visit the following web sites.


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