Health Exams and Immunizations

For the purpose of safeguarding the health of children, District 15 enforces Illinois student health requirements. These requirements consist of physical (health) exams, dental exams, eye exams, and immunizations specific to grade and age.

Pre-Kindergarten/ECDEC:

Physical (Health) Exam Form with current immunizations

Kindergarten:

Physical (Health) Exam Form with current immunizations
Eye Exam Form
Dental Exam Form

Second Grade:

Dental Exam Form

Sixth Grade:

Physical (Health) Exam Form with current immunizations
Dental Exam Form

TRANSFER students (from another school in Illinois):

School health requirements for grade level, as stated above

NEW students (from out of Illinois or country):

Physical (Health) Exam Form with current immunizations
Eye Exam Form

Interscholastic Sports:

A current sports physical is required, before trying out, for participation in an interscholastic sport. Physicals are valid for 13 months. Please check the date of the physical and plan for updates accordingly as some may need to take place mid-year. Cutoff dates can be found on the interscholastic sports page.

A sports physical can be submitted by either:
- Submitting the IESA Sport Physical Form. Please note that the IESA Sport Physical Form can ONLY be used for sports. It cannot be accepted as a Physical Examination for grade entry requirements.
- Submitting the Physical (Health) Examination Form for grade entry requirements, and in the section "On the basis of the examination on this day, I approve this child's participation in" make sure the box for "Interscholastic Sports" is checked "YES".

Physical (Health) Exams

Physical (Health) Exams are required for students entering preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, and those who are new to the school.

The Certificate of Child Health Examination form, completed and signed by a licensed healthcare provider, must be dated within one year prior to the first day of school and returned to the school nurse by October 15 to avoid school exclusion. The exam must include: lead screening for children who are six years or younger, diabetes screening, and age-appropriate social, emotional, and developmental screenings. A tuberculosis (TB) skin test is recommended.

Certificate of Child Health Examination - English Certificate of Child Health Examination - Spanish

According to Board of Education Policy 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations, Immunizations, and Exclusion of Students and the Illinois School Code, students who do not provide proof of receiving the required immunization and/or exam are excluded from school on October 15. Students new to Illinois schools, who register midterm, are allowed 30 days following registration to comply with the health requirements. Each school nurse is able to provide community resources to families needing assistance with locating a provider to meet this state health requirement.

Immunizations

Immunizations against major infectious diseases are required for the following:

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP/DTaP)

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten — 4 doses at the recommended intervals with the last dose received on or after the fourth birthday.
Grades 6, 7, & 8 — 3 doses at the recommended intervals — and upon entering 6th grade — 1 booster Tdap on or after the 11th birthday.

Polio (IPV)

Pre-Kindergarten — 3 doses at the recommended intervals.
Kindergarten — 4 doses at the recommended intervals with the last dose received on or after the fourth birthday.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Pre-Kindergarten and Grades 6, 7, & 8 — 3 doses at the recommended intervals.

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Pre-Kindergarten — 1 dose after the first birthday.
Grades K-8 — 2 doses, with the first dose on or after the first birthday.

Measles (Rubeola) German Measles (Rubella, 3 Day) Mumps – (MMR)

Pre-Kindergarten — 1 dose after the first birthday.
Grades K-8 — 2 doses, with the first dose on or after the first birthday.

Meningococcal conjugate (MCV4)

Grades 6, 7, & 8 — 1 dose on or after the 11th birthday.

Additional immunizations for students less than 5 years old (Pre-Kindergarten):

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) — Have received the series of Hib vaccines or show proof of one dose of Hib vaccine at 15 months of age or older.
Pneumococcal — Have received the pneumococcal vaccine according to the PCV schedule or show proof of one dose of pneumococcal vaccine after 24 months of age.

Dental Exams

Dental Exams are required for students in Kindergarten, Second and Sixth Grades. The dental examination must have taken place within 18 months prior to May 15 of the school year. A dental provider will schedule visits during the school year. If you would like your child to participate, please reach out to your school nurse. All students in the required grades are required to have either an exam or a dental waiver in their health record. A dental waiver form is available in the case of an undue burden or lack of access to a dentist.

Dental Exam Form (English) Dental Exam Form (Spanish)

Dental Exam Waiver Form (English) Dental Exam Waiver Form (Spanish)

If a student fails to present proof of a dental exam or a waiver form by May 15, the school may withhold the student's report card until the student presents proof: (1) of a completed dental exam, or (2) that a dental exam will take place within 60 days after May 15.

Eye Exams

Eye Exams are required for students entering Kindergarten and for students entering Illinois schools for the first time. A waiver form is available in the case of an undue burden or lack of access to an optometrist or to a physician who performs eye examinations. The State of Illinois Eye Examination Report and waiver form are available here and in the school office.

Eye Exam Form - English Eye Exam Form - Spanish

Eye Exam Waiver - English Eye Exam Waiver - Spanish

If a student fails to present proof of an eye exam or waiver form by October 15, the school may withhold the student's report card until the student presents proof: (1) of a completed eye exam, or (2) that an eye exam will take place within 60 days after October 15.

Vision & Hearing Screenings

Adequate vision and hearing are important for educational performance. Impaired vision and/or hearing in children can impact learning, and early discovery and treatment can prevent or reduce many of these concerns.

Screenings for vision and hearing concerns are provided according to the Illinois Department of Public Health and District 15 guidelines. Parents/guardians and staff members who have concerns with a student’s vision or hearing are encouraged to contact the school nurse and request a screening. Students identified with potential vision or hearing concerns during the school screenings are referred for medical follow-up. Providing documentation of medical follow-up is required. Community resources can be provided as needed. Parents/guardians who object to screenings for their child on religious grounds may contact the school nurse for additional information.

Note: Vision and Hearing Screenings are not a substitute for a complete hearing or vision evaluation by a licensed medical professional. A child is not required to undergo either screening if an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or audiologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months

Student Health Data - Immunization

Guidelines for Health Exemptions

Religious Objection to Immunization/Examination
Medical Exemption from Required Immunizations

Religious Objection to Immunization/Examination

Under Illinois law, parents/guardians who object to immunizations and/or health, dental, or eye examinations, or any part thereof, on religious grounds are not required to submit their children to the examinations or immunizations. When a a religious exemption is requested, the parent(s)/guardian(s) must complete the Certificate of Religious Exemption form provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The form must be signed by the child’s parent/guardian AND the child’s health care provider (includes physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, advanced practice nurses, or physician assistants) responsible for performing the child’s health examination. All Religious Exemption forms will be submitted for district approval. A letter approving exemption will be sent home and placed in their health file.

IL Certificate of Religious Exemption - English IL Certificate of Religious Exemption - Spanish

Families selecting religious exemptions assume full responsibility for their child’s health. If there is an outbreak of one or more diseases from which their child is not protected, their child may be required to stay home from school in accordance with State of Illinois rules and Board policy 7:280, Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease.

Medical Exemption from Required Immunizations

Under Illinois law, a student may be allowed a medical exemption from required immunizations. The examining health care provider responsible for the performance of the health examination shall endorse in a statement attached to the student’s Certificate of Child Health Examination form indicating an immunization is medically contraindicated. Statements from physicians indicating a specific medical condition that predisposes a student to a potential health risk if vaccinated are forwarded to the Illinois Department of Public Health Immunization Program Representative for review. If the Illinois Department of Public Health does not approve the statement, a copy of the explanation will be forwarded to the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) informing them that the student must receive the required immunization(s).

When a family has submitted a Certificate of Religious Exemption or a Certificate of Child Health Exemption, the district will review the document and then send an acceptance or declination letter back to the family.