In accordance with California state law, all students are required to meet specific immunization requirements before attending school. These vaccinations are essential to protect the health and safety of all students, staff, and the broader school community.

This document provides an overview of the required immunizations for school entry, along with important guidelines on documentation, medical exemptions, and compliance deadlines. Please review the information carefully and ensure all records are up to date and submitted to the school office.

Timely identification and reporting of communicable diseases are essential to preventing the spread of illness within school communities. Schools play a vital role in public health response efforts, and prompt communication with local health authorities helps ensure effective monitoring and intervention.

This resource is designed to support educational institutions with evidence-based strategies and practical guidance for preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases in school settings. School administrators, teachers, and staff are encouraged to use this toolkit as a reference when developing and maintaining effective infection prevention protocols tailored to the unique needs of their school communities.

This guidance is provided to assist local health departments, elementary schools, preschools, and childcare facilities in developing policies and procedures for the care of children found to have head lice. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends that schools and childcare facilities maintain an active educational campaign for parents on the accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of head lice cases to prevent transmission of lice in schools and reduce lost school days due to head lice
infestation.

Head lice, while a significant nuisance problem, do not transmit disease to humans. Traditionally, head lice policies in schools emphasized that a child infested with head lice could not return to school until no nits were found in their hair (“no-nit” policy).

To ensure the health and safety of all students, any medication—whether prescription or over the counter – must be administered in accordance with California state guidelines and school policy. This form must be completed by a licensed physician and signed by a parent or guardian before any medication can be given to a student during school hours. This includes all inhalers, EpiPens, and over-the-counter medications such as headache medicine, cough syrup, allergy tablets, and more.

Medications must be provided in their original pharmacy-labeled containers and submitted directly to the TPAA Health Office.

California law requires that all children entering public school for the first time – typically in kindergarten – receive a dental check-up by May 31st of their first school year. This oral health assessment must be completed by a licensed dental professional and documented using this form. If your child has had a dental exam in the past 12 months, your dentist may complete the form based on that visit. If an assessment cannot be completed, a Waiver of Oral Health Assessment Requirement Form is available.

This requirement helps identify dental issues early and supports children’s ability to learn, socialize, and thrive. Good oral health is key to academic success and overall well-being.

California law requires that school staff working with children and community college students be free of infectious tuberculosis (TB). These updated laws reflect current federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for targeted TB testing. Enacted laws, AB 1667, effective on January 1, 2015, SB 792 on September 1, 2016, and SB 1038 on January 1, 2017, require a TB risk assessment be administered and if risk factors are identified, a TB test and examination be performed by a health care
provider to determine that the person is free of infectious tuberculosis.

The use of the California School Employee TB Risk Assessment and the Certificate of Completion, developed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and California TB Controllers Association (CTCA) are also required.