Over 400 cases of meningococcal disease (meningitis) were confirmed in the U.S. in 2023 – the most since 2014. Already this year, almost 150 cases have been reported. The uptick in cases has resulted in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a health advisory. In Wisconsin, a suspected or confirmed case of meningococcal [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
11 Results found for category: Health
DHS Warns of Measles
March 14, 2024
Ahead of schools’ spring breaks, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the DPI school nursing consultant are recommending school staff stay alert for potential measles outbreaks. At the time of publication, there are no confirmed measles cases in Wisconsin, but one was recently confirmed in Illinois. Since the beginning of the year, seventeen states [...]
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Combat Vaping in Your School Community
November 16, 2023
A new state grant opportunity is available to help schools address the harmful impact of vaping on young Wisconsinites. The state received over $14 million from an agreement with an e-cigarette manufacturer in 2022 after resolving a two-year investigation into the company’s marketing and sales practices. From that money, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services [...]
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Health & Safety Resource Round-up
October 05, 2023
Annual School Safety Submissions At a quarterly Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS) Advisory Committee meeting this week, OSS staff asked WCRIS to remind schools that the deadline for annual safety submissions is 90 days away and that the submission platform has been updated from Sharefile to SharePoint. Find details here. WCRIS staff [...]
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ICYMI: Immunization Webinar Highlights
August 31, 2023
In case you missed it, check out the recording of this immunization webinar that WCRIS staff attended last week from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the DPI. It explains how schools submit their annual immunization reports to their local health department. All schools must file their report on the 40th school day, but there’s [...]
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Immunization Reporting Resources
August 17, 2023
Schools must submit a report of student immunization data to local health departments by the 40th school day, according to state code. To help schools, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) published an updated school booklet for the 2023-24 school year. DHS prefers schools to file their reports online, using this survey. Tune into a joint webinar [...]
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Private K-12 Schools Eligible For Telenursing
August 10, 2023
A statewide virtual school nursing service was launched last week to address the school nurse shortage. It’s available to all K-12 schools. If chosen for a grant, schools will have the option to use a specialized telehealth technology platform that can take students’ blood pressure, oxygen levels and more (costs schools $1,000 for the equipment) or use traditional [...]
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Immunizations Resources Released After Surprise Suspension
June 08, 2023
A last-minute suspension of proposed student immunization requirements by the Legislature in March surprised health professionals, delaying official guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). But DHS just updated its immunization booklet for the 2023-24 school year, which will help school administrators decipher what requirements have changed. The DPI School Nurse has also indicated to WCRIS [...]
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Opioid Prevention Grant Opportunity
March 30, 2023
One-time funding is available from the DPI for schools to implement or support opioid prevention programs in the 2023-24 school year. Schools could be awarded up to $15,000 depending on enrollment. All private schools are encouraged to apply, regardless of participation in the Parental Choice Programs. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on May 5. Find [...]
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Immunization Changes Suspended
March 16, 2023
Wisconsin health professionals were surprised as some of the proposed changes to student immunization requirements for the 2023-24 school year were unexpectedly altered by the Legislature last week. The Republican-controlled Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules voted to suspend: A requirement that students get a meningitis vaccine in seventh grade and a booster in [...]
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