HEALTH & DENTAL

Health Examinations and Immunizations

A student's parent(s)/guardian(s) must present proof that the student was examined by a licensed physician and received the immunizations against, and screenings for, preventable communicable diseases, as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health within one year prior to

1. Entering kindergarten or the first grade;
2. Entering the sixth and ninth grades; and
3. Enrolling in an Illinois school, regardless of the student's grade, when transferring into Illinois from out-of-state or out-of-country.

Unless the student is homeless, failure to comply with the above requirements by the day after Labor Day of the current school year will result in the student's exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the District. If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving a required immunization by the day after Labor Day, the student must present, by the day after Labor Day, an immunization schedule and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay. The schedule and statement of medical reasons must be signed by the physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or local health department responsible for administering the immunizations. All new students who are first-time registrants shall have 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization regulations.

Health examinations and immunizations are to be completed on the Certificate of Child Health Examination form.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) of children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years must provide a statement from a physician that their child was "risk-assessed" or screened for lead poisoning in accordance with State law.

Dental Examination

All children in kindergarten and the second and sixth grades must present proof of having been examined by a licensed dentist before May 15 of the current school year in accordance with rules adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

If a child in the second or sixth grade fails to present proof by May 15, the school may hold the child's report card until the child presents proof: (1) of a completed dental examination, or (2) that a dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 15. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that parents/guardians are notified of this dental examination requirement at least 60 days before May 15 of each school year.

Dental examinations are to be completed on the Illinois Dental Examination Record.

Health, Immunization and Dental Exemptions

In accordance with rules adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health, a student will be exempted from:

1. This policy's requirements on religious or medical grounds if the student's parents/guardians present to the Superintendent a signed statement explaining the objection,
2. The health examination or immunization requirements on medical grounds if a physician provides written verification, or
3. The dental examination requirement if the student's parents/guardians show an undue burden or lack of access to a dentist.

Cross Reference: CUSD10 Board Policy 7:100.

Hearing and Vision Screenings

The Illinois Department of Public Health requires certain grade levels be screened for hearing and vision. Hearing screening will be conducted for early childhood, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third, and special education students. Vision screening will be conducted for early childhood, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, second, eighth, and special education students. Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye exam by an eye doctor. If a student has completed an eye exam within the previous 12 months, and that evaluation is on file at the school, the child will not need to be screened. If any child fails either the hearing or vision screenings, the parent/guardian will receive a letter of notification.

Medication Policy

Students should not take medication during school hours or during school-related activities unless it is necessary for a student’s health and well-being.  When a student’s licensed health care provider and parent/guardian believe that it is necessary for the student to take a medication during school hours or school-related activities, the parent/guardian must request that the school dispense the medication to the child and otherwise follow the District’s procedures on dispensing medication.

No School District employee shall administer to any student, or supervise a student’s self-administration of, any prescription or non-prescription medication until a completed and signed “School Medication Authorization Form” is submitted by the student’s parent/guardian.  No student shall possess or consume any prescription or non-prescription medication on school grounds or at a school-related function other than as provided for in this policy and its implementing procedures.

A student may possess an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®) and/or medication prescribed for asthma for immediate use at the student’s discretion, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a “School Medication Authorization Form.”  The School District shall incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from a student’s self-administration of medication or epinephrine auto-injector or the storage of any medication by school personnel.  A student’s parent/guardian must indemnify and hold harmless the School District and its employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim based on willful and wanton conduct, arising out of a student’s self-administration of an epinephrine auto-injector and/or medication, or the storage of any medication by school personnel.

Nothing in this policy shall prohibit any school employee from providing emergency assistance to students, including administering medication.

The Building Principal shall include this policy in the Student Handbook and shall provide a copy to the parents/guardians of students.

Regulations:

1. School personnel will not administer medication at school if arrangements can be made so that the student can receive the medication at home.

2. Inhalers or Epi-Pens may not be carried by the student in school unless the physician indicates in writing on the medication request form that it is medically necessary that the inhaler or Epi-Pen be carried by the student at all times.  (The student will be issued a permanent pass for the school year at the senior high level).

3. All medications administered to students during school hours must be transported to and from school by a parent or another adult acting on the parent's behalf.

4. All requests to administer medication to students must be in writing on the designated "Medication Request Form" and signed by the parent or legal guardian and the physician.  Medication will not be administered unless a request form is properly completed and the medication is labeled properly.

5. All medications, prescribed by the physician, must be in the original pharmacy container.  The container (prescription and non-prescription) must be labeled with the student and physician's name, pharmacy, and the name, dosage, and directions of the medication.  Any change in the dosage of the medication and/or the directions for use will require a corrected pharmacy label indicating the changes and a signed note from the physician.

6. If a student is taking a long-term medication (over 30 days), a new Medication Request Form is required at the start of each school year.  The pharmacist must re-label the bottle according to the physician's new orders.

7. The parent will be notified if the student consistently forgets to take the medication at the specified time.  The student will be called to the office as a reminder to take the medication if forgotten.  It is the parent's responsibility to make sure the student knows when the medication is due.

8. The administration of any medication containing a narcotic is discouraged during school hours.  If a student requires medication of this type for pain, it is recommended that he/she remain at home until a milder form of medication is indicated.  It is highly recommended that parents do not administer narcotics before school due to safety issues at school.

9. Cough drops are permitted at the elementary and intermediate levels (PreK-6) with a Medication Request Form signed by the physician and parent.  The student must stay in the health room/office while the cough drop is administered.  However, cough drops are discouraged at this level due to risk of choking.

10. School personnel will destroy any medication that is not removed from the school at the end of the year.
     

Cross Reference: CUSD10 Board Policy 7:270.