Operation Zero Exclusions
"The Operation Zero Exclusions (OZE) Steering Committee was developed in order to reduce the number of 30 day exclusions occurring in WSFCS. A 30 day exclusion occurs when a student does not have up to date immunizations and a health assessment on file with the school nurse. The OZE steering committee consists of multiple child serving community partners. In an effort to increase awareness, while decreasing exclusions, the committee developed an incentive program for school based collaborative teams consisting of the following stakeholders: kindergarten teachers, principals, school support staff, and school nurses. Previous experiences have shown that schools who create teams to increase communication among all stakeholders have the highest success rate with 30 day compliance."The Committee offered the following incentives this year to increase kindergarten medical form completion:
Advocate Award – At day 10 of school enrollment, schools with 90% of Kindergarten students having documentation of immunizations and a health assessment form will be entered into a drawing for $750. Up to three recipients will receive this award.
Champion Award – At day 30 of school enrollment, schools with 100% of Kindergarten students having documentation of immunizations and a health assessment form will be entered into a drawing for $500. Up to five recipients will receive this award.
Innovator Award – At the conclusion of the incentive program, schools that feel their strategy was incredibly innovative or feel that they should be considered for an award regardless of performance targets can submit a project report for the possibility of earning $250. The OZE Steering Committee will review the project reports and select 1 recipient for this award.
Our school level Zero Exclusions Team consisted of Gwen Wolfe, Data Manager; Jane Bullin, Kindergarten teacher; Deanthia Powell, Kindergarten Teacher; Julie Wright, Kindergarten Teacher; Cleopatra Morrison, Social Worker; Diane Castillo, Spanish Liaison/Interpreter, and Kim Hall, RN. At Day 30 of the School Year, all of our Kindergarten Students were compliant. The team plan for achieving this goal included informing parents in person upon enrollment, posting signs throughout the Kindergarten hallways for Open House, speaking with parents and give them written information with resources for immunizations/health assessments at Open House, and sending letters and making phone calls weekly. The award money will be used to provide supplies or materials for kindergarten students.
Congratulations to Nurse Hall for leading this endeavor as well as the whole Family/Child Service Team and Kindergarten Teachers for receiving this award. Thank you to Nurse Hall, Social Worker Morrison, and this Zero Exclusions Team for all they do for our school, students, and staff daily.
