Gila Crossing Families,
There has been some questions concerning the proposed changes to the Gila Crossing Immunization Policy.
First and foremost, because of the nature of the policy, the Board has been trying to get input from the school community to help with making this decision.
We want to take the opportunity to clarify a few of the questions that have come up:
Q: What additional immunizations are being considered?
A: The three additional vaccinations, Varicella (chickenpox), Meningococcal (meningitis) and COVID-19, are being considered as additions to the existing GCCS vaccination policy in wake of the pandemic and trying to protect everyone at GGCS.
If adopted by the Board, any of them (one, two, or all three) could become an addition to the current list of required vaccinations.
Q: If these new immunizations are added, what if I choose not to get them, or any others presently on the list?
A: If a student doesn't get those vaccinations, and show proof, they would not be enrolled or perhaps disenrolled without an exemption in place. We believe there will likely be a grace period before any additional immunization requirements would take effect. The Board of Trustees would establish any grace period and the required time frames immunizations must be obtained by.
Q: What are exemptions, and how would I get one for my child?
A: There are two types of exemptions in the policy and proposed policy changes:
● The parent or guardian of the student submits a signed statement to the School
requesting an exemption based on religious belief, the statement is submitted on
a form obtained from the Gila River Indian Community Department of Health
Resources, and the School grants the request for exemption.
● The school administrator receives written certification, signed by the parent or
guardian and by a physician, that states that one or more of the required
immunizations may be detrimental to the student's health and indicates the specific
nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstance that
precludes immunization, and the School grants the request for exemption.
These exemptions also could be either "temporary" or permanent, as explained in the polcy.
If you are interested in ready the full policy, and the proposed changes (in YELLOW), you can find them here:
STUDENT_IMMUNIZATIONS.pdf (core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com)
If you have further questions, you may call us at 520-550-4834.