Health Services

• Provide a safe and healthy learning environment to ensure students are ready to learn.
• Assess individual complaints.
  • Provide first aid and notify parent/guardians as needed
  • Contact parent/guardians if additional evaluation is recommended
  • Contact emergency personnel as needed
• Develop and communicate Emergency Action Plans for students with severe health conditions like food allergies, seizure disorders, asthma, diabetes, etc.
• Participate in Individualized Education Program development to ensure all students’ health needs are met while in school.
• Maintain health files, physicals, and immunization records according to Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education mandates.

School nursing is a specialized division of public health nursing, and we are in a unique position to care for students, staff, and our community. Research has shown that healthy students are better learners, and academic achievement bears a lifetime of benefits for health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). The American Academy of Pediatrics goes on to say how “the role of the school nurse has expanded to include critical components, such as surveillance, chronic disease management, emergency preparedness, behavioral health assessment, ongoing health education, extensive case management, and much more” (AAP, 2016). We take our responsibility very seriously, and do our best to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our students. 

Homewood School District 153 has established an exclusion date of October 1st in order to meet the requirements for health exams and immunizations. No appointment cards will be accepted. 

 

Health Exams

A student must have a School Physical Exam within one year prior to entering:

• First year of pre-school
• Kindergarten
• 6^th Grade

7th and 8th graders who wish to participate in sports must have a new Sports Pre-Participation Physical Exam submitted each year. While the school physical form can be used in place of a sports physical, a sports physical will not qualify as a school physical. Please be sure to have the correct form completed by your student's practitioner.

 

Immunizations

The Centers for Disease Control states the following:  

"Efforts to reduce transmission of COVID-19, such as stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders, have led to decreased use of routine preventive medical services, including immunization services. Ensuring that routine vaccination is maintained or reinitiated during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential for protecting individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks. Routine vaccination prevents illnesses that lead to unnecessary medical visits, hospitalizations and further strain the healthcare system. For the upcoming influenza season, influenza vaccination will be paramount to reduce the impact of respiratory illnesses in the population and resulting burdens on the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Communicating the importance of vaccination to patients and parents/caregivers as well as the safety protocols and procedures outlined in this guidance can help provide reassurance to those who may otherwise be hesitant to present for vaccination visits."

 

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health Guidelines, students must show proof of basic immunization and required boosters for:

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Pertussis
• Polio
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Varicella
• Haemophiluis Influenzae Type B (required for pre-school only)
• Meningococcal (6^th-8^th graders)
• Pneumococcal (24-59 months)
• Hepatitis B (required for pre-school and 6^th-8^th graders)
• Tdap (required for 6^th-8^th graders)

Lead Screening: Students entering pre-school and kindergarten must show proof of lead screening.

 

Dental Exams: All Illinois children in Kindergarten, 2^nd, and 6^th grades are required to have an oral health exam by a licensed dentist prior to May 15 of the school year.

 

Eye Exams: All Illinois children enrolling in Kindergarten and any student enrolling for the first time in public, private, or parochial school are required to have an eye exam before the first day of school The exam must be completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. 

 

Waiver: The Department of Public Health shall establish a waiver for children who show an undue burden or lack of access to obtain either a dental or eye exam.

 

Religious Objection: Children whose parents or legal guardians object to health or dental examinations, or to the required immunizations, may submit and Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption from their doctor’s office.

 

These required health examinations, immunization and lead screening may be obtained at the doctor’s office or clinic of your choice. If you need information on other local resources, please call the nurse at your student’s school.

• Illinois School Physical Exam  -  Spanish Version
• Illinois Sports Pre-Participation Physical Exam
• Illinois Dental Exam Form -  Spanish Version
• Illinois Dental Waiver Form  -  Spanish Version
• Illinois Eye Exam Form

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged late 2019 and has become a global pandemic. This virus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. While most people infected will have mild or no symptoms, it can be very dangerous to some individuals, especially those with underlying conditions.

 

Homewood School District 153 takes to heart the safety guidelines from Centers from Disease Control, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the Illinois State Board of Education. Layered masks are recommended, and social distancing and hand hygiene is encouraged whenever feasible. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR STUDENT TO SCHOOL IF ANY THEY HAVE ANY COVID SYMPTOMS: 

• • Fever 100.4°F or higher
  • New onset of moderate to severe headache
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • New or worsening cough
  • Sore Throat
  • Vomiting/Diarrhea
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue from unknown cause
  • Muscle or body aches

 

If symptoms develop during the school day, we will contact the parent/guardian and a rapid antigen test will be offered. Isolation/quarantine of the student (and siblings) may be necessary and will be handled on a case by case basis. We understand how difficult these guidelines can be, but please cooperate with the recommendations in order to slow the spread of the virus to others.  

 

• Community Testing Sites
• Find a Health Center Near You
• CVS Minute Clinic
• Walgreens

Communicable Disease School Nurse Guidance

 

Please keep your student at home if he/she exhibits any of the following symptoms:

• Any COVID-19 symptom: fever (100.4 or higher) new onset of moderate to severe headache, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new or worsening cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of sense of taste or smell, fatigue from unknown cause, muscle or body aches. If an alternative diagnosis is made, please submit a doctor’s note to the school.
• Red, inflamed or discharge from the eye(s). This can be a form of conjunctivitis or pink eye which is highly contagious. Your child should be seen by a physician and begin medication as soon as possible. The student may return to school 24hrs after treatment begins. 
• Acute rashes or any skin lesion that is "weeping." With any of these conditions, your child will need to be examined by a physician and appropriate creams or oral medications prescribed. Medication that needs to be taken at school will require a Medication Administration form or a duplicate prescription provided by the physician.
• If your child did not have a good night’s sleep and appears very tired. He/she cannot concentrate and usually puts his/her head down on their desks. You can bring them in late, just notify the office of the situation.
• Students that are absent for more than three days require a note from his/her physician indicating that he/she may return to school.

Illinois Department of Public Health mandates hearing and vision screening for all Illinois students at specific age and grade levels. The following is an excerpt from the Hearing and Vision page on IDPH's website:

 

 

 

Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision examination by an eye doctor. Your student is not required to undergo the vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report indicating that an eye examination has been administered within the previous 12 months. 

 

If you have any questions about these screenings, please do not hesitate to contact the nurse at your student's school.