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 3 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.

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 on our website. 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. Physical exams must be within 1 year from 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 prior to the first day of school.  If there is a medical reason that your child's immunizations must be delayed, the doctor or Advanced practice nurse (PA or NP) must provide a note stating the immunizations that will be delayed, the reason for the delay, and the date your child will be returning for their immunization (an appointment card can also be provided for this part). 

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 & 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. If your child has an exam on file within this time period and you do not want your child to be screened, you must notify the nurse in writing by October 1st.  

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.

Will County Health Department and Aunt Martha's are medical resources that provide physical exams, immunizations, dental exams and many other services.  Please see their links below for further information.

Aunt Martha's Healthcare

Will County Health Department

It is important to remember that while lice are a nuisance, they are NOT a serious medical condition. Most individuals have had head lice 3 weeks by the time they (or a parent) realizes they have head lice.  Once you have identified lice or nits on your child and treated your child, please notify the nurse at school. It is also important to notify the parents of your child’s friends – so that it can be detected early and treated.

Peak infestations commonly occur throughout the U.S. during the summer and back to school times.  They are mostly spread by direct head to head contact- for example playing with friends, slumber parties, sports activities, or camp.

While head lice are not considered an infectious disease, spread primarily occurs through close head to head contact or secondarily through trying on and/or sharing of personal items such as headphones, hats, helmets, pillows, brushes/combs, and personal hair items such as bows, bandanas, etc. Signs of head lice to observe for include excessive scratching, whitish flecks on the hair- that do not flick away, and after a couple weeks-evidence of lice crawling in the hair. If you find lice or nits, discuss with your doctor or local pharmacist regarding available products to treat lice. Lice are “equal opportunity” insects that are commonly found in children due to their close contact with each other.

Lice are not an indication of poor hygiene and they do not spread disease. They do not fly or jump, but crawl at high speed. Once laid, it takes 7-10 days for a nit to hatch, and another 7-10 days for the female to mature and begin laying her own eggs. Head lice live for approximately 30 days on a host and a female louse may lay up to 100 nits (eggs).

We recommend that you check your child regularly throughout the school year for the presence of lice and nits. If treating your child for lice, be sure to follow the product instructions exactly, including when to retreat. Please notify me at 815-725-8391 ext. 3109 or at jellison@d88a.org if you find lice or nits in your child’s hair, so that we can follow up and check on your child.