Important Health Information
The National Association of School Nurses defines school nursing as: A specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and lifelong achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.
Council on School Health
Pediatrics May 2008, 121 (5) 1052-1056; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-0382
Please be advised that dental exams for Kindergarten, 2nd, 6th and 9th grades will be accepted up to May 15, 2025 for the 2024-2025 school year. Please make appointments as soon as able, as the wait time for exams could be quite lengthy .
Reminders will be sent out during January 2025.
Click on the link below to access a Dental Form:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/HealthWellness/oralhlth/DentalExamProof10.pdf - English
http://www.idph.state.il.us/HealthWellness/oralhlth/DentalExamProof_Sp10.pdf - Spanish
PUBLIC ACT 096-1460
A school, whether public or nonpublic, must permit the self-administration of medication by a student with asthma and/or the use of an epinephrine auto-injector by the student, provided that:
- The parents or guardians of the student provide to the school, written authorization from the parents or guardians, for the self-administration of medication and/or for the use of an epinephrine auto-injector. Written authorization from the student's physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.
- The parents or guardians of the student provide to the school the prescription label, which must contain the name of the medication, the prescribed dosage, and the time at which or circumstances under which the medication is to be administered, and/or for use of an epinephrine auto-injector, a written statement from the students physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse
The information provided shall be kept on file in the office of the school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, the school administrator.
Click here to see the full Public Act 096-1460.
How is LICE handled in the schools?
Parent Notification and Information Regarding Head Lice
The school will observe the following procedures regarding head lice.
Parents are required to notify the school nurse if they suspect their child has head lice.
Infested students will be sent home following notification of the parent or guardian. Students will be excluded if live lice are found until treatment is administered and live lice are removed.
The school can provide written instructions to the parent or guardian regarding appropriate treatment for the infestation.
A student excluded because of head lice will be permitted to return to school only when the parent or guardian brings the student to school to be checked by the school nurse or building principal and the child is determined to be free of the head lice and eggs (nits). Infested children are prohibited from riding the bus to school to be checked for head lice.
Follow-up treatment is recommended after 7-10 days.
It is recommended that parents assist the school by doing periodic checks at home. If uncertain how to do this, please call the school nurse.
Vision-Jumpstart, Pre-school, Kindergarten, 2nd, 8th, and all student who have IEP's have appropriate vision screenings based on their ages and abilities.
Hearing-Jumpstart, Pre-school, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd grades and all students who have IEP's have hearing screenings based on their ages and abilities.
VISION Concerns-If a student fails the first vision screening they are re-screened 2 weeks later, parents are notified and informed of the screening concerns. If the student fails a second screening they are referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for a comprehensive vision exam.
HEARING Concerns-If a student fails the first hearing screening they are re-screened 2 weeks later, parents are informed of the hearing screening concern. Parents are advised to have the student's ears examined. Many times students fail hearing screenings due to wax build-up, allergies, seasonal cold symptoms or infections. If the student fails the second screening, a threshold testing is completed and the results sent to the parents. The Threshold testing results and your child then go to an ENT Doctor or to an Educational Audiologist.
Children who have difficulty seeing and hearing in the classrooms have difficulty learning and performing in the classroom as well as participating socially while at school. Please follow up with a physician if your child has these concerns.
Illinois Optometric Association Newsletter
PARENTS: MAKE SURE AN EYE EXAM IS ON YOUR CHILD'S ‘TO-DO LIST' FOR THE SUMMER - A LAW IN ILLINOIS REQUIRES IT
Is your child one of the 10 million children suffering from vision problems? A new state law aimed at cutting down on the number of children who unnecessarily suffer from eye and vision disorders took effect on January 1, 2008. All children beginning kindergarten or first grade for the first time are required to have an eye examination. Although parents have until October 15 to provide proof of an eye exam, doctors of optometry are asking parents to make appointments now for their children to avoid long wait times and to reduce the instances of eye and vision problems going undiagnosed and untreated in children.
What's the difference between a school physical and a sport physical?
A school sport's physical is valid for 395 days from the date the sport physical was completed.
What is involved in a sports physical?
A sports physical is different than the annual physical because it focuses on reviewing your child’s current health status and medical history to ensure that your child is healthy enough to play his or her sport. Your physician will review any preexisting injuries and assess your child’s current fitness level to determine that there is no risk for your child playing his or her sport. The areas of focus during your child’s sports physical typically include:
- Height and weight
- Vision and hearing
- Heart health
- Blood pressure
- Muscle and bone health, flexibility and strength
A school physical is valid for 365 days from the date the physical was completed.
What is involved in an annual physical and school physical?
An annual physical is different from a sports physical because it not only focuses on the physical health of your child but the developmental, emotional and social aspects of your child’s health as well. Your physician will focus on the overall health of your child by doing a complete physical examination and go over your family’s medical history to make sure preventative health measures are in place if necessary. A full assessment of your child’s cognitive and social milestones will be looked at to ensure proper development in those areas. Your physician may also use this time to discuss important topics revolving around drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, healthy relationships and puberty. Developing a healthy and trusting relationship with your child is an important aspect of your child’s annual exam for physicians. The areas of focus and topics discussed during your child’s annual exam should include those listed above from your child’s sports physical, plus the following:
- Health history
- Immunization
- Lab work, if needed
- Behavioral and developmental screening, if needed
- Nutrition and sleep habits
- Preventative health
- Adolescent issues
https://www.northshore.org/healthy-you/sports-physical-vs.-regular-physical-whats-the-difference/
