Upon making the decision to keep your child home from school, please notify the school

by calling 815-725-8391 and press “5”.  Please provide the exact reason for your child’s absence ie Cough, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Fever, FLU diagnosed by the doctor, Strep throat, etc.

Gym excuses: Parents may write a note excusing their child from gym for 2 days.  If your child needs to be excused for a longer period of time a note from a physician is needed.

Medication at school: Students are not allowed to possess or take medication at school unless an authorization form is on file.  Authorization must be completed by the physician and signed by the parent at the start of each school year for all medication including over the counter medications.

NURSING AND HEALTH SERVICES

ABSENCES

Parents must call the school each morning that their child is going to be absent. We ask that you give a brief description of your child’s illness (i.e. cough, vomiting, strep throat,

fever, etc) when calling the attendance line. Students are required to provide a physician’s note when a child returns to school if absences exceed three consecutive school days.

Students missing eight or more days during a school year MUST provide a doctor’s note for every absence thereafter. ALL doctors notes must include a diagnosis and be brought to

school on the day the child returns to school, in order to be excused.

ILLNESSES and FEVER

In order to prevent the spread of contagious conditions, students with temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit may not attend school. Students should have a temperature below

100 for 24 hours (without the use of medication such as Tylenol or Motrin) before returning to school.

CONTAGIONS

Open cuts or wounds- Students must have open wounds and scabs covered to prevent the spread of contagions at school. It is the parents’ responsibility to be sure

that all scrapes, scabs and wounds on their children are covered prior to sending them to school each day.

Head Lice- Any student who has been identified as having head lice, eggs, or nits will be excluded from school. Students will be excluded until there are no visible lice, eggs, or

nits in the child’s hair. The nurse will examine the child to ascertain the eligibility to return to school, and will do periodic spot checks to ensure the child remains lice free.

Periodic screenings for lice will be done on students to maintain a lice free environment in the classroom.

Rashes- No student will be allowed to attend school with any noticeable rash or skin condition unless a physician’s note is on file stating that the student has a non-contagious

condition. Any noticeable lesion or wound that shows signs of drainage must be covered with a dressing.

Vomiting and/or Diarrhea-Student should remain at home if he/she vomited or had diarrhea within the past 24 hours.

The Illinois Department of Public Health state that children who have the following illnesses must remain at home for a required time period. A Doctor’s note is

required stating the diagnosis & the date they will return to school. Please notify the nurse immediately if your child is diagnosed with any of these conditions:

Chickenpox- Cases must be isolated and excluded from school not less than 5 days after the eruption of the last vesicles or until the vesicles become dry.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) - Cases must be isolated and excluded from school until 24 hours after treatment begins.

German Measles – Cases must be isolated and excluded from school not less than 7 days after the rash appears.

Impetigo- Cases must be isolated & excluded from school until 24 hours after treatment begins.

Measles – Cases must be isolated & excluded from school not less than 5 days after the eruption of the last vesicles or until the vesicles become dry.

Mumps- Cases must be isolated and excluded from school until 5 days after the onset of swelling.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)- Cases must be isolated & excluded from school until at least 5 days after the start of antibiotic therapy.

Strep Throat and/or Scarlet Fever- Cases must be isolated & excluded from school not less than 24 hours after treatment begins, provided fever is absent.

MISCELLANEOUS

If your child comes to school with crutches, wearing a splint or ace bandage, has had surgery, a cast, stitches, staples, or Dermabond applied for a cut by a physician, we will

need a doctor’s note stating when they can participate in gym. The note should state when they are able to return to gym class and/or recess and if there are any restrictions on

their activity. Students who have a note on file exempting them from participation in gym may not participate in recess or participate in extra-curricular sports activities.

If your child is injured at school and needs to see a physician or is transported to the hospital from school, a doctor’s note will be required stating when they can return to

gym. A copy of the discharge papers from the ER is needed as well.

VISITS TO THE NURSE’S OFFICE

Illnesses- The nurse will assess the illness as needed. Parents will not be notified of routine visits to the nurse for illness. If the student is determined to have an illness that is

potentially contagious, the parent will be notified of the need for the child to be picked up. Parents are expected to pick up their child from school within an hour of notification

of their child’s illness.

Injuries-The nurse will assess the injury and administer first aid as needed. Parents will not be notified of visits to the nurse’s office for minor injuries. Other injuries will be

treated, and depending on the nature and status, the parent will be notified by a note or phone call.

DENTAL EXAMINATIONS

Before May 15 of the school year, each child in kindergarten, second, and sixth grades shall present to the school proof of having been examined by a dentist in

accordance with the Illinois Department of Health Requirements. The examination must be performed by a licensed dentist and recorded on the IDPH Dental

Examination Form revised in 10/05. The examination must have taken place within 18 months prior to May 15 of each school year.   See your school handbook for further details.

HEALTH EXAMINATIONS, IMMUNIZATIONS, AND EXCLUSION OF STUDENTS

A student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) shall 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 department of Public Health rules. At the start of school, all students will be required to be in complete compliance with

health requirements by the first day of school. This means that all new students to the district as well as returning students will be excluded from attending school if they do not have the

appropriate documentation available when they register and/or the first day of class. Missed days due to students being noncompliant with State Requirements will be considered

Unexcused Absences.

All students entering preschool, kindergarten, and sixth grade must have a current medical examination and all required medical examination and all required immunizations by the first

day of school.  Fifth grade students must show  proof of immunization against Hepatitis B  by the first day of school.  Further details can be found in the school handbook.

VISION EXAM REQUIREMENT

Illinois School Code requires Vision Examinations by October 15th for students enrolling in kindergarten and any student enrolling for the first time in an Illinois School. The

exam must be recorded on the approved state form that may be obtained from the office. Proof of an appointment within 60 days may be turned in prior to the October 15th deadline. If

you are unable to obtain an exam, a waiver form is available from the office.

VISION AND HEARING SCREENINGS

Vision and hearing screenings are done during the school year under current State of Illinois guidelines. Please note vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and

vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Children are not required to undergo the vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that

an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months. Vision Screening is done on all new students to the district, students receiving special education services and

students referred for screening. Screenings are also done on the following grades: Kindergarten, Second, & Eighth. Hearing Screening is done on all new students to the district,

students receiving special education services and students referred for screening. Screenings are also done on the following grades: Kindergarten, First, Second and Third.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified in writing if their child fails their vision and/or hearing screenings according to IDPH guidelines.