Stepping Stones Montessori School

Health Forms & Requirements



Immunizing individual children helps to protect the health of our community, especially those people who cannot be immunized (children who are too young to be vaccinated, or those who can’t receive certain vaccines for medical reasons), and the small proportion of people who don’t respond to a particular vaccine. CDC, 2017

What are the required health forms for my child to attend?

The State of Michigan mandates that all of the following students at our school submit an up-to-date health appraisal and immunization record:


  • Any children under 5 years of age (submitted each year until the student turns 5)
  • Any elementary-aged children who are new to SSMS (must be submitted at the beginning of the school year)
  • Any students entering 7th grade (this includes returning students)
  • Any students of any age/grade whose health status changes significantly


Please note the required time frame for your child below:


For toddlers (1 year - 36 months): health appraisal must have been performed within the preceding 6 months.


For pre-schoolers (3 - 6 years old) and 7th graders: health appraisals must have been performed within the preceding year.

Do I have to submit these documents every year?

YES for toddlers, and pre-schoolers: health appraisals/ immunization records must be submitted each year.


For school-aged students (age 5 and older): parent must sign the form when enrolling in TADS that confirms that your child is in good health/no restrictions; that your child's immunizations are up to date; or that a waiver of immunizations is on file at school. 


For 7th grade: parents must submit a new health appraisal and up-to-date immunization record.


Please click here for a health appraisal to print or send to your pediatrician's office. Parents will complete the top portion and physicians will fill in the rest. It is imperative that the physician's signature and date/stamp are visible on the health appraisal.

What if I am choosing an alternative immunization schedule for my child?

You will need to make an appointment with the Kent County Health Department to receive a state-certified waiver. As of 2023, the health department is no longer issuing a paper waiver to families, but rather directly logging this waiver into the MCIR system. It is your responsibility to schedule immunization waiver appointments to update your child's records each year that an immunization is required (infant - 5 years and 7th year).

What if I am choosing not to vaccinate my child?


As a school, we strongly urge parents to vaccinate their children for the health and safety of all. If you are choosing not to, you will need to make an appointment with the Kent County Health Department to receive a state-certified waiver. As of 2023, the health department is no longer issuing a paper waiver to families, but rather directly logging this waiver into the MCIR system. It is your responsibility to schedule immunization waiver appointments to update your child's records each year that an immunization is required (infant - 5 years and 7th year).


Kent County Health Department: 616.632.7200

MDHHS Immunization Waiver Policy


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