Student Health

Student Health

• General Health Questions and Procedures
• Dispensing and Storing of Medicine
• Accidents and Illness at School
• Physicals and Other Health Requirements
• Vision and Hearing Screening
• Procedures for Dealing with Head Lice
• Referral to Outside Agencies for Counseling
• Individualized Health Plan Request

General Health Questions and Procedures
District 96 will follow all health and safety guidance from Lake County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Students will follow the guidance implemented by the school district.  Students who do not comply with the guidance may be subject to disciplinary action. 

Children with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or above, sneezing or runny noses, sore or irritated eyes, or severe abdominal cramps should not be in school. A child with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or more should stay home for 24 hours after his or her temperature returns to normal without the use of fever-reducing medications. Parents should notify the school whenever there is confirmation of a communicable or contagious illness of any sort.

A doctor's note stating that the child may return to school is needed when a child has been absent from school for five or more consecutive days.

Emergency Forms. Parents are asked to advise school office personnel immediately of any changes to be made to the Emergency contact information you provided when registering your child in the District. This would include a change of doctor or neighbor to notify. It would also include a change in work address, residence address, or phone number(s). It is important that records are up-to-date to ensure quick communication.

Medication Authorization Forms. No school personnel may administer medication to any student, nor shall any student possess or consume medication, except upon receipt of school medication authorization forms from both the parent and the physician. A written order from a doctor must accompany a request by the parent before any medication can be dispensed in school. The order must specify the drug, the dosage, and the time of administration.

Medical Cannabis Authorization Forms. The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act allows a person to register with the Ill. Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) as a designated caregiver to administer medical cannabis to a child. Any designated caregiver must be at least 21 years old and is allowed to administer a medical cannabis infused product to a child who is a student on the premises of his or her school if:

1. Both the student and the designated caregiver possess valid registry identification cards issued by IDPH;
2. Copies of the registry identification cards are provided to the District; and
3. That student’s parent/guardian completed, signed, and submitted a School Medication Authorization Form - Medical Cannabis.

Medical cannabis infused product includes oils, ointments, foods, and other products that contain usable cannabis but are not smoked or vaped. Smoking and/or vaping medical cannabis is prohibited.

After administering the product to the student, the designated caregiver shall immediately remove it from school premises. The product may not be administered in a manner that, in the opinion of the District or school, would create a disruption to the educational environment or cause exposure of the product to other students. A school employee shall not be required to administer the product.

Discipline of a student for being administered a product by a designated caregiver pursuant to this policy is prohibited. The District may not deny a student attendance at a school solely because he or she requires administration of the product during school hours.

Medical Excuse from Physical Education. A student will not be excused from physical education without a note from the parent/physician. A parental note is acceptable for a period of one school week per school term; thereafter, a note from a physician is required. Both notes should give the date, reason for excuse, and length of time the student should be excused from physical education classes.

Guidelines for Deciding to Send a Child to School. Deciding when a child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make. When deciding, refer to the guidelines on the District Website:  Health Guidelines–Send to School or Keep Home?

Dispensing and Storing of Medicine
For the safety of all, medication must be brought to school by the parent or another responsible adult. The medication must be in its correct prescription container, showing the child’s name, the name of the drug, the dosage to be given, and the time of administration.

Medication containers must be stored in the health office and students may consume medicine only in the health office. This includes acetaminophen or any other nonprescription, over-the-counter medication. Orders for medications must be renewed annually at the beginning of each school year. Any medication not picked up by parents at the end of the school year will be destroyed.

Accidents and Illness at School
The district makes an effort to have a trained school nurse available to students at all times. Nursing services are available to assist in cases of extreme emergency. Our role is one of giving first aid only, not treatment. We ask for your cooperation in not sending students to school who are ill or injured.

Occasionally an accident will happen at school. When an accident occurs, first aid is given and every effort is made to contact the parents at home or at work. If the school cannot contact a parent, we will call the responsible adult designated in the information provided in the online student registration process. For this reason, it is imperative that these names reflect choices of individuals whom you feel will make decisions for your child on your behalf.

If the Principal or other person in charge believes a child is too ill to remain in school, the student will be made as comfortable as possible, the student’s parent/guardian contacted, and arrangements made for the student to be taken home. If we cannot contact the child’s parent/guardian, the responsible adult designated in the information provided in the online student registration process will be called. In the event that no contact can be made with the parent(s) or the emergency reference, the school authorities will handle the problem in the manner they believe is best for the welfare of the child.

Physicals and Other Health Requirements
Physical examinations are required by State Law when children enter school and again when they enter sixth grade. All Kindergarten and sixth-grade children are required to have health examination records completed and returned to their school building by October 15th of the current school year. The physical examination must have been done within one year of the start of school and must include a diabetes screening, BMI, and health history. Month, day, and year are required on all immunization dose records. The State of Illinois Certificate of Child’s Health Examination form is due October 15 of the current school year for kindergarten and sixth-grade students.  Students will be excluded from school starting on October 15th of the current school year until all forms have been completed and turned in, or a signed notice from the child’s physician of the scheduled appointment date is provided.

To obtain a physical examination form, call the school directly or the District Office at 847.459.4260, ext. 8019, or download and print the form from the District Website Student Health Forms webpage.

The only exception to these health requirements will be for students who move into the District at all grades. New students in any grade must provide all required health forms as indicated.  New students, regardless of their grade level, must provide required forms or have evidence that an appointment has been made to complete the examinations; if not, they also may be excluded from school. New residents will have a 30-day grace period to comply. No exceptions will be made for students who were in District 96 previously.

State law requires that all children have immunizations to the following diseases. Failure to comply with this state law will result in the student being excluded from school. 

Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (DPT)

Early Childhood students need three doses by age 1 and one additional booster by the 2nd birthday. All first-entering students (Kindergarten or Grade 1) need four doses, with the last dose received on or after the 4th birthday. All other grades (Grades 2–8) need three or more doses, with the last dose received on or after the 4th birthday.

Tdap

All students entering Grades 6–8 are required to have one dose of Tdap.

Polio

Early Childhood students need two doses by age 1 and one additional booster by the 2nd birthday. All first-entering students must have received four doses of the same type of polio vaccine, with the last dose received on or after the 4th birthday.

Measles

Early Childhood students need one dose on or after the 1st birthday. All first-entering students must show proof of two measles immunizations. The first dose must have been received on or after the 1st birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks later.

Rubella

Early Childhood students need one dose on or after the 1st birthday. All first-entering students must show proof of two rubella immunizations. The first dose must have been received on or after the 1st birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks later.

Mumps

Early Childhood students need one dose on or after the 1st birthday. All first-entering students must show proof of two mumps immunizations. The first dose must have been received on or after the 1st birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks later.

Hib

Early Childhood students must have one dose after 15 months if no prior doses are received. This vaccination is not required after the 5th birthday.

PCV

Early Childhood students must have one dose after 24 months if no prior doses are received. This vaccination is not required after the 5th birthday.

Lead Screening

Lead screening will be required for all students entering kindergarten.

Hepatitis B

The Hepatitis B Vaccine is required for all students in the Early Childhood Program, with the last dose on or after six months. Grades 6–8 need three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine at the recommended intervals.

Varicella

Early Childhood students need one dose on or after the 1st birthday. All students entering school for the first time (Kindergarten or Grade 1) need two doses of the Varicella vaccine, with the first dose received on or after the 1st birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks later. One dose of the Varicella vaccine received on or after the 1st birthday for Grades 3–5. Two doses of the Varicella vaccine for students entering Grades 2, 6, 7, or 8.

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV)

All students entering Grade 6 need one dose of Meningococcal vaccine, with the first dose received on or after the 10th birthday.

Diabetes Screening

Diabetes screening is required for all kindergarten and Grade 6 students. Every student with Diabetes should have a Diabetes Medical Management Plan, developed by the student's health care team and family, on file in the school Health Office. Contact your school nurse for the necessary forms or find them online (Student Health Forms / Diabetes Medical Management Plan).

Dental Exam

By May 15 of each school year, proof of a dental exam performed within the previous 18  months is required for all kindergarten, second-, and sixth-grade students.

The following facilities are available, if you will not be using the services of a family doctor:

1. Lake County Health Department-Physical Exams, 847-377-8000

2. Lake County Health Department-Immunization Clinic, 847-377-8470

To determine eligibility for immunization services, contact the Lake County Health Department Immunization Clinic with questions: 847-377-8470.

Middle school students who plan to participate in interscholastic sports are also required to have a complete physical examination each school year. Before participation is allowed, a record of such examination must be on file with the nurse. Forms for the physical examination are available at the middle school office and on the District Website (School Health Info Requirements / Interscholastic Sports Physical). Parents are asked to mail or deliver the completed forms to the middle school. 

Vision Exam

A vision exam by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist is required for all kindergarten students and any children enrolling for the first time in an Illinois public school. Proof of the exam must be submitted to the child's school no later than October 15 in the year the child is first enrolled. The examination must be completed within one year prior to the child beginning school. 

Student Athlete Concussion and Head Injuries:

Any child who has a head injury should notify the nurse's office about the injury for follow-up.

A student athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion in a practice or game shall be removed from participation or competition at that time.

A student athlete who has been removed from an interscholastic contest for a possible concussion or head injury may not return to that contest unless cleared to do so by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches in Illinois or a certified athletic trainer.

If not cleared to return to that contest, a student athlete may not return to play or practice until the student athlete has provided his or her school with written clearance from a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches in Illinois, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant or a certified athletic trainer working in conjunction with a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches in Illinois.

Vision and Hearing Screening
Vision and hearing screenings are not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor or an ear examination by a physician or an audiological evaluation by an audiologist.

Vision Screening. The District annually conducts vision screenings for all children in early childhood, kindergarten, grades 2 and 8, and newly enrolled and all those receiving special education services. Children are not required to undergo the vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that a vision examination has been administered within the previous 12 months.

Hearing Screening. Annual hearing screening is conducted for all children in early childhood; kindergarten; grades 1, 2, 3; newly enrolled; and all those receiving special education services. Children are not required to undergo the hearing screening if a signed report form indicating that a hearing examination has been administered within the previous 12 months is submitted to school.

Screening for both hearing and vision is completed annually on all children referred by parents or teacher.

Procedures for Dealing with Head Lice
When/if a student or adult reports a head condition/possible concern, the student is sent to the nurse. The nurse will check the student privately. If lice or nits are present, the nurse will contact the parents. If the student has siblings, the nurse will contact the parents to have the siblings checked, as well.

Students will be permitted to return to school after having treatment/being checked at home.

The school maintains a “no live lice” policy, which means that a child will not be allowed to return to school if there are any live lice present in his or her hair. The child MUST be checked by the school nurse before admission will be allowed.

The building administrator will send notification to the classroom families via the District's parent notification system the day a student is identified with having lice.

Referral to Outside Agencies for Counseling
There are a number of outside agencies available to assist parents and students with services that may be beyond the scope of what can be provided by District social workers, counselors, psychologists, or other staff. In cases in which students or families need more extensive assistance or desire a higher level of confidentiality, District staff will refer families to outside agencies for help. 

Individualized Health Plan Request
Students whose health needs impact their daily functioning at school may require an Individualized Health Plan (IHP). Parents should contact their child's school nurse if they believe their child may be eligible for or in need of an IHP. Students who receive school-based accommodations via an IHP may also be eligible for accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Parents have the right to request a Section 504 evaluation if they believe their child may have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Please contact the Special Education Department if you have questions about the Section 504 evaluation process or would like additional information.