Health Services

Dear Parent,
As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to reduce the spread of flu in the Willmar Public Schools We want to keep the school open to students and functioning in a normal manner during this flu season. But, we need your help to do this.

Does your child have health insurance? If not, help may be available.

Minnesota Health Care Programs have free and low-cost health insurance for children and families who qualify. (Medical Assistance has no monthly premium.  MinnesotaCare has a monthly premium based on household income.)

Your child may qualify if your household income is below:

May 4, 2009 - The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has been working closely with federal, state and local partners to investigate and characterize the outbreak of H1N1 novel influenza.  This virus currently appears to be acting like seasonal influenza in terms of the severity of illness and transmission of infection.  Therefore, MDH and the CDC recommend an approach that will focus on keeping all students and staff with symptoms of influenza out of school in order to decrease transmission of infections to others.  School closure is not advised for a suspected or co

Beginning in September 2009 parents of children entering kindergarten or 7th grade will need to: 
 

• Show proof their child has either received two chickenpox (varicella) shots or has had the disease, OR
 

• Show proof of a medical exemption signed by the child’s healthcare provider, OR
 

• File a notarized waiver with their school if they are conscientiously opposed to chickenpox vaccine.
 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a new recommendation expanding the ages for annual influenza vaccination to include all children from 6 months through 18 years of age.  All school age children should receive influenza vaccinations.  Each year there are deaths in children related to influenza and flu can lead to pneumonia, dehydration, sinus and ear infections.  Because children spend a large part of their day in close contact with other children in school or day care, they are more likely to get the flu than other age groups.  In fact,

Willmar Public Schools will be enforcing a "No Shots, No School" Policy.

Minnesota Law requires written proof that students receive all vaccinations-or parents must file a legal exemption saying they object to the vaccinations- before students can attend class.  Secondary students will not be given their schedules at registration if the requirements have not been met.  All students, including transfer students can not attend class untill their immunization status has been verified.