December 4, 2025 

Dear WICS Parents & Staff:

In our ongoing efforts to make you aware of matters affecting our school, we want to let you know that today we were notified that a child attending Stambaugh Elementary has a suspected case of chickenpox (varicella).  However, we are waiting for official medical testing results to confirm the chickenpox virus, which may take several days.  We are in communication with the Health Department and are preparing for any necessary future steps, and allowing you to make an informed decision for your own child.

From MDHHS website (https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/communicablediseases/recentupdates/diseaselisting) 

Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness that generally starts with a slight fever, followed by a blister-like, itchy rash.  Although this is usually not a serious illness, children often miss days at school or daycare thereby causing parents to miss work as well.  Also, in some children and certain high-risk individuals, including those with HIV/AIDs, on chemotherapy, or pregnant, chickenpox can cause much more severe illness; leading to hospital stays or even death.

By Michigan law, all students are required to be immunized with two doses of Varicella (VAR) vaccine or have a history of having the chickenpox disease, or have other (lab) evidence of immunity.  If your child has already been fully vaccinated against chickenpox, please make sure that you have provided a copy of their immunization records to the school office so that this may be included in their health record. 

If your child has not been immunized, and you cannot provide a verification of a previous diagnosis of chickenpox, your child will be excluded from school until he or she receives their first dose of Varicella vaccine (VAR).   If you choose not to have your child immunized against chickenpox, your child will be excluded for 21 days after onset of the last case. However, if you do choose to immunize your child they can be conditionally re-admitted after their first dose pending the scheduling of an appointment for a second dose. 

 If your child has received only one dose of Varicella (VAR) vaccine and you cannot provide verification of a previous diagnosis of chickenpox, your child must receive the second dose and provide documentation of receiving it or be excluded for 21 days after onset of the last case.

There are a few children with weakened immune systems who should not receive the vaccine, and your child’s health care provider will be able to advise you what to do if your child has exposure to chickenpox.  A medicine is available (VZIG) that can protect children and adults with weakened immune systems and pregnant women from chickenpox.

If your child does develop chickenpox, he or she should be kept home until the rash has crusted over (usually about five days).

If you have any questions about chickenpox please contact your family’s physician/healthcare provider or the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department at (906) 265-9913.

If this becomes a confirmed case of chickenpox, we will contact those students affected by the Health Department regulations.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.  

Kevin Schmutzler, 

Superintendent