Our comprehensive school health program has eight elements, touching all aspects of the school experience and having potential to have a significant impact on students' health knowledge, attitudes, and values. Leadership for each of these elements is provided by several departments within the school system and by the health department. The health department acts in a consultant role to support the services provided by the divisions within the schools.

• Health Education provides a sequential grades preK-12 instructional program addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions of health.
• Physical Education serves as a means for students to develop strength, coordination, and cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency, as well as for social development, stress reduction, and movement appreciation.
• Health Services promotes the health of students and school staff members through prevention, early intervention, and remediation of specific health problems.
• Counseling provides broad-based prevention and intervention programs to promote the physical and psychological health of students and faculty.
• School Environment creates and maintains facilities that enhance the physical and psychological well being of students. It also provides school clinics to manage injuries and illnesses of students and staff members.
• School Nutrition promotes good nutritional practices both within and outside the school settings (breakfast and lunch programs and nutrition education in the classroom).
• Employee Assistance Program (Staff Wellness) provides school staff members with the opportunity to take active roles in maintaining and achieving optimal physical and psychological health.
• School and Community Agencies integrates health and education professionals in the school and community to provide and support improved school health programs.

For additional information regarding school health services please contact Lorraine Trouton, School Health Services Manager, by phone at 571-423-4402 or by email at Lorraine.Trouton@fcps.edu .

FCPS + GMU = A Healthier Community

A unique partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools and George Mason University focuses on student health screenings and physicals...for FREE!

Important Immunization Requirement: Do You Have a Student Entering Sixth Grade Next Year?

If yes, he or she may need a booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis). Sixth grade students cannot begin school in August without documentation of the Tdap booster. Parents or guardians should ask their private healthcare provider, or the health department, to review their child’s immunization record if they are unsure if their child has received the Tdap booster. Students who have received a Tdap booster between the age of seven and eleven do not need another dose.

Documentation must be provided to the school student information assistant (SIA) or registrar as soon as possible. Acceptable documentation can be one of the following:

1. A copy of your child’s immunization record showing the month, day, and year the Tdap vaccine was given.
2. A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the month, day, and year the Tdap vaccine was given.
3. A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption. (A student whose healthcare provider prefers to wait until the student turns 11 to administer the Tdap must provide a temporary medical exemption.)
4. A notarized Religious Exemption Form

Fairfax County Public Schools tracks compliance with this state requirement and students who do not meet the requirement before August 28, 2018, will not be able to start school.
Students can receive immunizations required for school at any Fairfax County Health Department immunization clinic. Information about health department clinic locations and hours can be found on the Fairfax County Health Department website.

More information about immunization requirements and exemptions can be found in the current version of FCPS Regulation 2101 and on the General Registration Requirement section of the FCPS website.

If you have any questions, contact Teresa Gallahan, School Health Specialist, Department of Special Services, at 571-423-4313 or at tlgallahan@fcps.edu