School Nurses
A registered nurse works at each school to promote student health. During the school day, the nurses care for students in case of injury or sudden illness, and they determine when parents need to be contacted and when further medical treatment may be needed.
Health Screenings
Vision, hearing and pediculosis (head lice) screenings may be administered each year without receiving prior written permission from the parent/guardian. School-wide pediculoisis checks are conducted at Winkelman at the beginning of the year. Individual screenings are conducted at Field on an as needed basis.
District policy states that no school official or staff member will subject a student to a non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as a condition of school attendance.
Required Health Exams and Immunizations
Students are required to have health exams and immunizations as per Illinois State law. These include the following:
• Kindergarten – physical, dental, vision
• Grade Two – dental
• Grade Six – physical (this exam also covers the interscholastic sports physical), dental
• Grade Seven – physical for students participating in interscholastic sports
• Grade Eight – physical for students participating in interscholastic sports
Illinois State law requires schools to exclude a student from school when his/her health record is not in compliance. A student may be exempted from health examination and/or immunization requirements on religious grounds if the student’s parents/guardians present to the Superintendent of schools a signed statement explaining the objection. A student may be exempted from the health examination or immunization on medical grounds if a physical provides written verification.
Field Interscholastic Sports
State law requires that all students who participate in interscholastic sports including tryouts must have two forms on file at the Field health office. These include the physical examination form and interscholastic sports authorization form. The physical form is valid for one year from the date the doctor performs the exam. Parents/guardians and the health care provider must each complete portions of the physical form. The interscholastic sports form must be completed by the parent/guardian every year. Students will not be permitted to participate in any sports activities without these forms on file.
Emergency Card
All students must have an updated emergency card filed in their school health office at the beginning of each school year. The information on this card helps to identify and assist students who have significant health problems. It is imperative that the nurse be informed of any significant changes in a child’s health in order to ensure appropriate care is given at school. This form also identifies other adults, authorized by parents/guardians, who may pick up a child from school. A child will not be allowed to leave school with anyone other than those listed on the emergency card. Parents/guardians must notify the school of any information that changes during the school year.
Prescription Drugs/Medication
The Medical Authorization Form must be completed by both the physician and the parent/guardian for all medication including prescription drugs and all over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, etc. All medications must be brought to school by an adult. Prescription medications must be in the original pharmacy container with the child’s name on it. Over the counter medication must be in an unopened container.
Allergy/Action Plan for Children With Epi-Pens
All children who require Epi-Pens at school must have a completed Allergy/Action Plan on file in the school health office. This plan must be completed by the child’s doctor and parents/guardians.
Physical Education Exemptions
A child may be exempted from some or all physical activities when the appropriate excuses are submitted to the school by parents/guardians or by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act.From time to time, students may need to use a piece of medical or adaptive equipment (such as a brace or protective eyewear) in order to participate in physical education classes. A student must have a note from a doctor indicating the type of equipment that he or she requires, the duration for which the equipment is to be worn, as well as any restrictions on movement or activity that the injury/equipment requires. Students who do not have a doctor’s note on file will not be permitted to wear any equipment beyond that worn by the rest of the class or as required for the class activity. Once the note is on file, students who do not have, or choose not to wear, the prescribed equipment will not be permitted to participate in physical education class.
