Mill Valley School District

Keeping immunizations current helps protect your child and our whole school community from serious illnesses. California requires proof of vaccines at school entry (TK or Kindergarten), again at 7th grade, and whenever a student transfers to a new school. Please remember to share updated records with our district nurse so your student can start on time without delays. Students whose immunizations are not up-to-date may not attend school until their records are complete and verified. For more information, please visit the California Department of Public Health’s Shots for School website. 

In order to start school on time, all students in grades TK-12 are required to have received the following immunizations:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTap): 5 doses
• Polio (IPV): 4 doses
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): 2 doses
• Varicella (Chicken Pox): 2 doses

7th graders (and new 8th graders): California law requires all students entering 7th grade to have a Tdap booster. Tdap is a booster vaccine given around age 11 that offers continued protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis) for adolescents and adults. 

Immunization checklist for families: (English, Spanish). 

Please send official immunization records, including your student’s full name and date of birth, to schoolnurse@mvschools.org. 

Should my child get the HPV vaccine?

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against several types of human papillomavirus that can cause cancer later in life, including cervical, throat, and other cancers in both females and males. 

Although the HPV vaccine is not currently required for school entry in California, it is strongly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health for all students starting at age 11-12 years.

The vaccine is given as a two-dose series if started before age 15, or three doses if started later. Talk to your child’s pediatrician to learn more or to schedule the HPV vaccination at your next visit.

Learn more from the CDC about HPV vaccination.

All transitional kindergarten (TK), kindergarten (K), and new first grade students are required by California law to provide proof of a recent dental examination. 

Families may upload the completed Dental Health Form in Aeries during registration, or submit it in person to the district office or your child’s school.

The dental exam may be completed at any time, but documentation must be received no later than May 31, 2026 for students enrolling in the 2025–26 school year.

Students who have recently moved to Mill Valley from countries with higher rates of tuberculosis, including regions in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, or the Pacific Islands, are required to provide proof of a recent TB test before starting school.

The TB test must have been administered after arrival in the United States, and written documentation of a negative result is required for enrollment. If your child has had a TB test within the past year, please submit a copy of the results. Otherwise, please contact your healthcare provider to complete testing prior to the start of school.

Note: If your child was born in the United States and has not traveled or lived abroad for more than one month, a TB test is not required.

Requisito de Tuberculosis (TB)

Los estudiantes que se hayan mudado recientemente a Mill Valley desde países con tasas más altas de tuberculosis —incluyendo regiones de Asia, el Medio Oriente, África, América Latina, Europa del Este o las Islas del Pacífico—deben presentar comprobante de una prueba reciente de TB antes de comenzar la escuela.

La prueba de TB debe haberse realizado después de la llegada a los Estados Unidos, y se requiere documentación escrita de un resultado negativo para la inscripción escolar.

Si su hijo(a) se ha hecho una prueba de TB en el último año, por favor envíe una copia de los resultados. De lo contrario, comuníquese con su proveedor de atención médica para completar la prueba antes de que comience la escuela.

Nota: Si su hijo(a) nació en los Estados Unidos y no ha viajado ni vivido fuera del país por más de un mes, no se requiere una prueba de TB.

Students sometimes need medication during the school day. California law requires that all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen), be accompanied by a Medication Authorization Form signed by both a parent/guardian and the child’s healthcare provider. Medications must be provided in their original containers or packaging (unopened if over-the-counter).

Students may not self-carry prescription or over-the-counter medications unless specifically authorized by their healthcare provider (e.g., inhalers or EpiPens).

All medications are kept in a secure location on campus and administered under staff supervision. Please bring all required forms and medications to your school office. A new form must be submitted each school year so staff can be fully prepared to support your child’s health needs.

• Medication Authorization Form can be found below (English, Spanish)

If your child has a serious allergy, we ask that you and your healthcare provider complete the appropriate forms listed below. Please return the signed Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan (including Allergy Health History) and Medication Authorization Form(s), along with any necessary medications in their original labeled packaging (such as epinephrine, Benadryl, Zyrtec, and/or inhalers), to your school’s main office.

For everyone’s safety, all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, must be accompanied by a Medication Authorization Form signed by both a parent/guardian and the healthcare provider. Updated Emergency Care Plans and Medication Forms are required at the start of each school year so we can be fully prepared to support your child.

• Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan can be found below (English, Spanish)
• Additional Medication Authorization Form can be found below (English, Spanish)

If your child suffers from asthma and requires an inhaler or any other medication on campus, we ask that you and your healthcare provider complete the appropriate forms listed below. Please return the signed Asthma Action Plan and Medication Authorization Form, along with any necessary medications to your school’s main office.

For everyone’s safety, all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, must be accompanied by a Medication Authorization Form signed by both a parent/guardian and your healthcare provider. Updated Emergency Care Plans and Medication Forms are required at the start of each school year so we can be fully prepared to support your child.

• Asthma Action Plan can be found below (English, Spanish)
• Medication Authorization Form can be found below (English, Spanish)

If your child has a seizure disorder, please work with their healthcare provider to complete our Seizure Action Plan and Medication Authorization Form. These forms help us understand your child’s specific needs and ensure we can respond quickly and appropriately in the event of a seizure at school.

Please return the completed forms, along with any necessary medications in their original labeled packaging (such as emergency seizure medications), to your school’s main office. As with all medications, a Medication Authorization Form signed by both a parent/guardian and the healthcare provider is required. Updated Seizure Action Plans and medication forms are needed at the start of each school year to keep your child safe and supported at school.

• Seizure Action Plan can be found below (English, Spanish)
• Emergency Medication Authorization Form can be found below (English, Spanish)  
• Release of Information Form can be found below (ROI)

These conditions are not contagious, but students should stay home if symptoms are uncontrolled (e.g., persistent coughing, wheezing, or severe allergic reaction without access to medication).

Please ensure your child’s care plan and medications are up-to-date in the school office.

If your pediatrician has diagnosed your child with strep infection, hand foot and mouth, conjunctivitis (pink eye) or other communicable illness, please keep them home in accordance with guidance from your paediatrician and the Marin County Department of Public Health and notify your child’s school of the diagnosis.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can make the brain bounce or twist inside the skull, stretching or damaging brain cells and causing chemical changes. Although medical providers often describe concussions as “mild” brain injuries because they are usually not life-threatening, the effects can still be serious and require careful monitoring.

Signs and Symptoms

Children and teens who show, report, or feel any of the symptoms listed below after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body may have a concussion, even if they say they “feel fine” at first.

Signs Observed by Others:

• Can’t recall events before or after the hit or fall
• Appears dazed, stunned, or confused
• Forgets instructions or seems unsure about an assignment, position, game, score, or opponent
• Moves clumsily or has poor coordination
• Answers questions slowly or seems to “space out”
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows changes in mood, behavior, or personality

Symptoms Reported by the Child:

• Headache or feeling of pressure in the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, balance problems, or blurred/double vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, foggy, or groggy
• Trouble concentrating, remembering, or thinking clearly
• Just “not feeling right” or feeling sad, tired, or irritable

What to Watch For

Concussion symptoms often appear soon after an injury, but some may take hours or even days to develop. For example, a child who seems mildly dazed at first might later have trouble remembering what happened or complain of a worsening headache. Continue to observe your child closely during the first 24–48 hours. If symptoms worsen (such as repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, severe headache, or loss of consciousness), seek emergency care immediately.

After a Concussion

If your child is diagnosed with a concussion (even if the injury occurred outside of school hours) please inform your school office right away. When your child returns to school, provide the Return-to-Learn Protocol or note from your child’s healthcare provider. This plan helps teachers, office staff, counselors, and the district nurse support your child’s gradual recovery and monitor progress in class.

Resources

• Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents
• Concussion/Return to Learn Video

Keep your student home if: 

• They cough frequently and uncontrollably.
• Cough up large amounts of phlegm.
• Cough sounds like a bark or cough is accompanied by a sore throat or wheezing.
• Cough is accompanied by fever and other symptoms of illness (see fever guidance).

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, Marin County Department of Public Health recommends that a parent/guardian notify the school and keep their student home if they have an oral temperature (under the tongue) of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.

Students may return when:

• They are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine (e.g., Advil, Tylenol), and
• Other symptoms are improving and your child can participate comfortably in routine activities.

Diarrhea is watery or loose stools that are more frequent and not associated with a change in diet.

Please keep your student home for any of the following: 

• Has had two or more episodes of diarrhea in the past 24 hours.
• Has had one episode in the past 24 hours and feels tired or ill. 
• Diarrhea is accompanied by a fever.

Return when: There has been no diarrhea for 24 hours and your child is able to eat and drink normally.

Keep your student home if: 

• Pain is constant or severe.
• Earache is accompanied by fever.

Please keep your student home if:

• They have an oral temperature (under the tongue) of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
• They have fever, chills, body aches, cough, other complicating symptoms, and/or extreme tiredness.

Students may return when:

• They are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine (e.g., Advil, Tylenol), and
• Other symptoms are improving and your child can participate comfortably in routine activities.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFM) is a common viral illness that mostly affects infants and young children, but it can occur at any age. It is caused by enteroviruses (most often Coxsackievirus A16 or Enterovirus 71). The illness usually begins with a mild fever, sore throat, and tiredness, followed by small blisters or sores that may appear in the mouth, on the palms of the hands, on the soles of the feet, or sometimes on the buttocks, knees, or elbows. The illness typically lasts 7–10 days, and most children recover completely without medical treatment. An infected person most often spreads hand, foot, and mouth to others during the first week of being sick, though a person may still be contagious up to several days or weeks after symptoms are gone. 

HFMD spreads easily through:

• The air by coughing and sneezing. 
• Close contact with an infected person.
• Touching contaminated surfaces or objects (due to saliva, sputum, mucus, blister fluid, and/or stool)

Students should stay home from school if they:

• Have a fever, blisters with fluid, or mouth sores causing drooling or difficulty eating.
• Feel too unwell to participate in normal activities.

According to Marin County Public Health, students may return to school when:

• They have been fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine), and
• They no longer have excessive drooling from open mouth sores, and
• They are able to comfortably participate in school activities

It’s important to note that sores or rash may still be present at the time of return. If possible, cover any visible blisters or rash with clothing or a bandage to reduce the risk of spreading the virus through contact. If rash is the only symptom (e.g., mild case with no fever), stay home 24 hours to ensure no new spots appear. 

Prevention tips

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after restroom use.
• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces (shared toys, doorknobs, tables).
• Encourage children to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
• Avoid sharing cups, utensils, or towels.

 Head lice are common in school-age children and, while bothersome, they are not dangerous and do not spread disease. In line with guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Marin County Department of Public Health, students with head lice are not excluded from school. If lice are found, families are notified so treatment can begin promptly, but children are allowed to remain in class and return the next day after starting appropriate care. Our goal is to minimize unnecessary absences while supporting families in managing treatment at home.

Keep your student home if: 

• Live lice are seen on the scalp.

Return to school:

• After the first lice shampoo treatment and once there are no live lice on the scalp. 

Nits (eggs) may still be present, but your child can return as long as treatment has begun. Continue to comb your child’s hair using a fine-toothed metal lice comb for the next 14 days after treatment. Comb wet, conditioned hair, working in small sections from scalp to end. Wipe the comb on a tissue or rinse in water after each pass. The goal is to remove nits before they hatch and catch any newly hatched lice early. 

CDC Guidance for Head Lice

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection caused by bacteria—most often Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus), the same type of bacteria that can also cause strep throat and scarlet fever.

It usually appears as red sores or blisters on the face (especially around the nose and mouth) and sometimes on the hands and feet. The sores may burst, ooze, and form honey-colored crusts. Some children may also experience mild fever, fatigue, headache, or decreased appetite.

In most cases, impetigo affects only the skin and heals with appropriate treatment. Rarely, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, such as the eyes, bones, joints, or bloodstream. It can be more serious in newborns or people with weakened immune systems.

Impetigo is more common in warm, humid weather, in crowded settings (such as summer camps or schools), and among children who participate in close-contact sports.

Please keep your student home if:

• If they are untreated (impetigo is contagious and spread through touch), and/or
• They have fever or are unusually tired, and/or 
• They have open sores on their hands.  

Children may attend school after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment, and as long as open sores can be covered with a clean, dry bandage.

Remind your child to wash hands frequently, avoid touching or scratching the sores, and not share towels, hats, or clothing with others. Keep fingernails trimmed to prevent scratching and spreading the infection.

If your child has had or develops any of the symptoms listed below, please contact your child’s medical provider. Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease. However, even children who have been immunized against pertussis are susceptible to infection. Pertussis is most severe in the first year of life, particularly for preterm infants.

School policy excludes children from school until antibiotic treatment has started. In the case of pertussis, five days of antibiotic therapy must be completed before the child may return to school. The child should be feeling well, and the cough should be manageable prior to returning to school. The full course of antibiotics must be completed to prevent relapse. If antibiotics are not given or not completed, the child may be excluded for 21 days from the onset of the cough. A note from the physician may be requested for return to school.

​​​​​​​Causative Agent: A bacterium, Bordetella pertussis.

​​​​​​​Signs and Symptoms: Symptoms usually start with a low grade fever, runny nose, and a cough that becomes progressively more severe. The severe coughing may persist for up to 10 weeks. The characteristic "whoop" during the coughing occurs in young children and may not be present in older children or adults.

​​​​​​​Incubation Period: Usually 7 to 10 days after exposure, but can be up to 21 days.

​​​​​​​Communicability: Most contagious during the catarrhal (cold-like) stage, before the onset of spasmodic coughing. Infectiousness may continue for 3 weeks (21 days) after onset of cough if not treated with antibiotics. 

​​​​​​​Method of Transmission: Transmission is airborne by coughing, sneezing, or exposure to nose and throat secretions.

​​​​​​​Prevention: Protection from the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine begins to decrease about 5 to 10 years after the last dose. California law requires that all students receive a Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) before entering 7th grade. The Tdap vaccine is approved by the FDA and recommended by the CDC for everyone ages 11 and older, with routine booster doses for adults every 10 years. Staying up to date with Tdap vaccination is the best way to prevent whooping cough and protect vulnerable infants and community members.

​​​​​​​Tdap Requirement for Students Entering 7th Grade

Tdap Vaccine:  Prior to beginning 7th grade, all students are required by law to have a whooping cough booster (Tdap vaccine).  If your child has not had a Tdap vaccine, please schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your doctor and submit documentation to the MVMS school office.  Boosters may be available at local pharmacies who can bill your medical insurance.  If your child has already had a Tdap vaccine, please provide a copy of their record to the MVMS school office or email it to schoolnurse@mvschools.org.

If your child has red, watery, itchy eyes without fever or other symptoms, they may attend school, since many cases of conjunctivitis are caused by allergies or mild viruses and do not require exclusion.

Please keep your student home for any of the following:

• There is eye discharge (yellow/green/crusty/gooey).
• Your child is rubbing their eyes constantly and is too uncomfortable to participate in class.
• They also have a fever or other illness and generally do not feel well enough for school.
   

When to return: Children may return to school when symptoms are improving and any eye discharge can be managed with tissues and good hand hygiene. Antibiotics are not required for return to school; however, if a doctor prescribes them, your child may come back after the first 24 hours of treatment, as long as they are comfortable and able to participate in class.

If you’re unsure whether your child’s symptoms are caused by pink eye (conjunctivitis) or allergies, a quick visit to urgent care or a call to your child’s pediatrician can help clarify.

Pinworms are small, white, thread-like worms that can infect the intestines. They are common in school-aged children and spread easily through contact with contaminated hands, surfaces, or clothing. Pinworm infections are not dangerous but can be uncomfortable and may spread quickly among family members or classmates. Typical symptoms include itching around the anus, especially at night, restless sleep, and occasionally mild stomach upset. Some children may have no symptoms at all. If your child has been diagnosed with pinworms, please notify your school’s main office.

How it spreads:

Pinworms spread when the tiny eggs are transferred from contaminated hands, bedding, or clothing to the mouth, either directly or through surfaces such as toys, bathroom fixtures, desktops, or by sharing food. Eggs can survive for 2–3 weeks on surfaces and are easily picked up again if good handwashing isn’t followed.

When to stay home and return to school:

Children with pinworms do not need to stay home once treatment has started, unless they are feeling unwell or unable to participate in normal school activities. They may return to school the day after beginning treatment (typically an oral medication) and after taking a shower and putting on clean clothing.

To help prevent reinfection:

• Wash hands well with soap and warm water, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
• Keep fingernails short and discourage nail biting.
• Shower in the morning to remove eggs laid overnight.
• Change underwear, pajamas, and bed linens daily for several days.
• Clean household surfaces, bathroom fixtures, and toys regularly.

If symptoms persist or return after treatment, families should contact their healthcare provider for follow-up. It is common for all household members to be treated at the same time.

CDC Guidance for Pinworms

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or other germs. Symptoms may include fever (may be a high fever or persistent low-grade fever), congestion, cough, chest pain, rapid breathing, or difficulty breathing. Children with pneumonia often feel very tired and may not be able to keep up with normal school activities.

Please keep your student home if: Your child has been diagnosed with pneumonia and is experiencing fever, difficulty breathing, or does not feel well enough to participate in school.

When to return: Children may return when they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication, symptoms are improving, and your child has the energy to join regular classroom activities. Follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on recovery and any medications prescribed. Good rest, fluids, and completing all prescribed medications are important for a full recovery.

Understanding Pneumonia Symptoms

Sore throat includes pain or irritation of the throat often resulting from a viral or bacterial infection (such as cold, flu, strep throat, etc.). 

Please keep your student home for any of the following: 

• Inability to swallow.
• They also have fever or generally do not feel well enough for school.

Students may return when:

• 24 hours after their first dose of antibiotics, if diagnosed with strep throat or other streptococcal infections, and
• They are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine (e.g., Advil, Tylenol), and
• Other symptoms are improving and your child can participate comfortably in routine activities.

Please keep your student home for any of the following: 

• Vomiting has occurred 2 or more times in 24 hours.
• Vomiting is accompanied by a fever and/or diarrhea.
• There is concern for an allergic reaction, such as hives appearing (seek immediate medical attention).
• It appears green or bloody (seek immediate medical attention).
• Vomiting follows recent head injury (seek immediate medical attention).
• Looks or feels very ill. 

Return when: There has been no vomiting for 24 hours and your child is able to eat and drink normally.