Health Services
Health Services—Susan Arndt, Coordinator
Phone: 847-963-3151
E-mail: arndts@ccsd15.net
Directed toward a goal of good health and based on the belief that health and learning are connected, student health services are provided within the district schools. The Health Services staff includes a health services coordinator, secretary, and registered nurses at every school. Services provided include the following:
Care of Illness and Injury
Health Services staff members provide care for students who become ill or injured at school. Generally, student injuries are easily managed with adhesive bandages, cold packs, and “TLC,” enabling them return to their classrooms. Occasionally, an illness or injury will require that a student be sent home. Students with any of the following symptoms will be sent home:
- a fever of 100°F or greater (child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school)
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- contagious diseases such as chicken pox, pink eye (conjunctivitis), or fifth disease
- undiagnosed rash
Additionally, children with the above symptoms should not be sent to school. Parents/guardians are required to call the school to report their child’s absence. Before returning to school, a child must be free from fever, diarrhea, and/or vomiting for 24 hours or have completed 24 hours of antibiotics. To help control the spread of illness within the classroom, parents/guardians are asked to report any communicable disease diagnosis to the school.
An ill or injured student who is sent home will be released only to the parent/guardian or emergency contact provided by the parent/guardian. In the event of a serious or life-threatening injury or illness, EMS services/911 will be called.
Medication Administration
The administration of medication to a student at school is discouraged unless it is absolutely necessary to allow the student’s academic participation. The Board of Education policy, in accordance with the Illinois State Board of Education’s recommended guidelines, is as follows:
All medication (including over-the-counter) requiring administration at school must:
- Include a Medication Administration Form containing the Parental Authorization and Physician Order. The form is available here (English PDF 35KB/Spanish PDF 34KB) and in the school office.
- Be prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner.
- Be in the original container and have an appropriate label.
- Be administered under the supervision of the registered nurse.
- Be renewed annually if long-term administration is required.
- Be stored in the health office, with the exception of some asthma medications and epinephrine. (Students can carry these medications within the school properties if additional consent forms are on file.)
Medical Excuses
A physician’s excuse is needed for any students who cannot participate in physical education or outdoor recess. The excuse must state the specific injury or problem, the dates the student cannot participate, and a date when the child can resume activity. Students will not be allowed to resume activities until a physician’s release is received.
Required Health Examinations and Immunization Recording
For the purpose of safeguarding the health of children, District 15 enforces Illinois health requirements. These requirements consist of health examinations, immunizations, dental examinations, and eye examinations specific to grade and age.
- Health exams are required for students in kindergarten, sixth grade, and those who are new to the school. Students who received a health examination prior to entering the fifth grade during the 2007-08 school year will not have to receive another exam before entering the sixth grade in the 2008-09 school year. The Certificate of Child Health Examination form is available here (English PDF 69KB/Spanish PDF 363KB) and in the school office.
The exam, completed and signed by a doctor, must be dated within one year prior to the first day of school and must include lead screening for children who are six years or younger and diabetes screening. A tuberculosis (TB) skin test is recommended. The parent/guardiancompletes and signs the Health History section of the form.
In addition, annual health examinations are required for interscholastic sports participation.
The required school immunizations are:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DPT)
- Polio (IPV)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Haemophilus influenzae (Hib)
- Chicken pox/Varicella (Varivax)
- Hepatitis (HBV)
Students who do not show proof of the health exam and immunizations will not be allowed to start school.
- Dental exams are required for students in kindergarten, second grade, and sixth grade. The IDPH Dental Examination form is available here (English PDF 77KB/Spanish PDF 55KB) and in the school office.
- Eye exams are required for students entering kindergarten and entering Illinois schools for the first time. The Eye Examination form is available here (English PDF 30KB) and in the school office.
Communicable Diseases Management
Control of communicable diseases is managed within the district in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health mandates. Students who exhibit symptoms of communicable diseases are excluded from school until a physician indicates they can safely return. Health Services staff members alert families of reported communicable diseases within the schools as recommended by the health department.
The following chart lists common illnesses, symptoms and recommended time out of school:
| Disease |
Symptoms |
Exclusion from School |
Chicken pox |
Rash (successive crops of red dots that turn into fluid-filled blisters and then dry up to form scabs) and fever. |
Not less than five days after appearance of eruption. |
Mumps |
Fever, nausea, pain, and swelling of glands along neck and jaw. |
Nine days. |
German measles |
Rash (small pinkish-red blotches beginning behind ears and on face), slight swelling of neck glands, and upper respiratory infection. |
Until all symptoms and rash are gone. |
Measles |
Starts as a cold with fever, watery eyes and nose, sneezing, and slight cough. Rash on face follows, then rash spreads to body. |
From the onset of symptoms until four days after symptoms and abnormal mucus secretions have stopped. |
Strep infections
/scarlet fever |
Fever, sore throat, and enlarged glands in neck. The scarlet fever rash (pinpoint dots) appears 1-3 days after onset of sore throat and strawberry tongue. |
Until after completing 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. |
Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) |
Redness of the white part of eye, itching and burning of the lids, and discharge. |
Until after completing 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. |
Impetigo |
Skin infection appearing as honey-colored blisters, frequently on the face around the mouth. |
Until after completing 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. |
Staph infection |
Skin infection with redness, warmth, swelling, pus, and tenderness at site; a boil or appearing like a spider bite. |
Until wound is covered and no longer draining. |
Pinworm |
Itching of anus. |
Until after completing 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. |
Head lice and nits |
Itching at nape of neck and around ears. |
Until after completing medicated shampoo treatment. |
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Screenings for vision and hearing deficits are provided in accordance with the Illinois Department of Health and District 15 guidelines. Students with identified deficits are referred for medical follow-up. Parents/guardians and staff members who notice any problems with a student’s vision or hearing are encouraged to request a screening.
Allergy Awareness
The increasing incidence of allergies and life-threatening reactions requires an increased awareness of students with allergies. Health Services staff maintains a list of students with allergies with the recommended actions for treatment of an allergic reaction. Health Services staff notifies school staff of students requiring epinephrine administration (Epi-pen®) for severe allergic reactions. (911 will be called following the use of epinephrine/Epi-pen®.) Allergy information is provided to staff on a need-to-know basis and for use in planning safe activities for students.
Wellness Policy
The Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act required school districts to develop a local wellness policy. Part of that act also called for the formation of a local wellness policy committee. Severe food allergies and childhood overweight/obesity rates among children are on the rise, which result in serious health complications for our students. During the 2007-2008 school year, the local wellness policy committee made up of community members, parents, teachers and administrators, and with a mission of producing healthy world-class learners by building a connected learning community, met to develop the District 15 Wellness Policy Guidelines (English PDF 336KB / Spanish 339KB).
Student Birthdays
Birthday treats during the school day must be non-edible. Click here for non-edible celebration ideas for parents.
Snacks within the School Day
Food consumed within the classroom is discouraged except for days specified as class celebrations. In the event that it becomes necessary for a classroom to schedule a “healthy snack” time on a daily basis, snacks high in fiber such as fresh fruits and vegetables and/or low in fat (less than 5 grams) are recommended. Avoid pre-packaged processed foods that are generally high in calories and fat and have little nutritional value. Limit portion sizes so that the snack does not become a substitute for a nutritious meal and can be eaten within a limited time period are also recommended.
Nutrition and Fitness Initiatives
Northwest Community Hospital has partnered with District 15 by contracting with Health World to enhance the nutrition education for all of our fourth grade students. Health World will be coming to our fourth grade classrooms to help nutrition become an established habit. Northwest Community Hospital is also working in conjunction with many of our local PTA’s to establish Family Fitness Fairs during January and February.
Individualized Health Planning
Health Services staff members act as consultants and liaisons between the family, school staff, and physician. Individualized Health Plans are developed as needed to accommodate students with special health needs. All health information and recommendations are shared with staff on a need-to-know basis.
Health Information Survey
The Health Information Survey is available here (English Word 32KB/Spanish Word 34KB) and in the school office. A parent/guardian completes this survey for students in kindergarten, second, and sixth grades or those new to the school, so Health Services staff can safely provide for the health needs of every student.
Confidentiality of student health records is always maintained in accordance to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Contact Us
The Health Services staff believes family is an essential part of good health. Your input is welcome and valued. Please stop by to voice concerns, ask questions, share thoughts, and exchange health information.
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