Health Services
The Health Center at each high school is staffed with nurses who work very closely with Administrators, the Guidance Department and other Student Services personnel.
Transportation Home: Before a student taken ill or injured in school is sent home, the Health Center will confer with his/her parent, guardian, or emergency contacts as designated by parents to arrange for his/her transportation. Parental consent is needed whether or not the student can provide his/her own transportation.
Services of the Health Center are:
Keeping cumulative medical records of all students; reviewing all medical examination records for special needs; and making necessary adjustments such as extra time between classes, rest time following surgery, severe illness or accident, preferential seating for vision or hearing loss, adaptations in the Physical Education program.
Interpreting special health needs of students to faculty members, and participating in conferences concerning students whenever appropriate.
Carrying out vision and hearing screening. Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo the vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an eye examination has been administered in the previous 12 months.
Providing emergency care of ill or injured students.
Administering prescribed or over-the-counter medications such as Advil, Tylenol and Midol, as authorized on the Medication Authorization Form (Adm. Procedure 7:270-E1) or subsequent physician's authorization. Students may not give other students any medications (prescribed or over-the-counter).
STUDENTS VISITING THE HEALTH CENTER DURING A SCHEDULED CLASS MUST OBTAIN A PASS FROM THE TEACHER.
Students who have been absent for illness or injury three or more days in a row must obtain a re-admission slip from the Health Center before returning to class. A note from the physician is required indicating that a student may return to school following (1) surgery or other hospitalizations, (2) a communicable disease including strep throat, (3) homebound instruction, and (4) all absences of six days or more. Limitations on physical activity and recommendations for rest periods should also be noted.
Students returning to school following a psychiatric hospitalization must bring a note to the Health Center from the psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or clinical social worker.
Students with casts and/or crutches should also bring a note from the physician relative to limitations. The Health Center will issue an Early Pass to a student requiring additional passing time.
The school nurses are always available to students and their parents/guardians for conferences and referral for additional services.
Elevator Use: NORTH and WEST – A pass is required to use the elevator.
Administering Medicines to Students [See Board Policy 7:270]
Medical Authorization Form [See Board Policy 7:270-AP1]
Medical Authorization Form [See Adm. Procedure 7:270-E1]
Health Examinations and Immunizations [See Board Policy 7:100]
Note: Immunization data reported to the State Board of Education (ISBE) can be accessed through the ISBE website.
Notification to Staff and Parents/Guardians of CPR and AED Video
Illinois State Law (Illinois School Code 122, 27-8:1) requires proof that the required health exams and immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and hepatitis B be completed.
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:
Upon entering the ninth grade; and
Whenever a student first enrolls in school within the District, regardless of the student's grade.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) are encouraged to have their child undergo a dental and vision examination whenever health examinations are required. As required by the Illinois Department of Public Health, a diabetes screening must be included as a required part of each health examination; diabetes testing is not required.
Unless the student is homeless, or transferring from out-of-state, failure to comply with the above requirements by the first day of the current school year will result in the student's exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the District. If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving a required immunization by the first day of school, the student must present, by the first day of school, an immunization schedule and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay. The schedule and statement of medical reasons must be signed by the physician, registered nurse, or local health department responsible for administering the immunizations. All transferring students may be given up to 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization regulations. If the School Nurse has reason to suspect health problems that may cause harm to the student or to others, the Nurse may delay enrollment in school or in selected classes.
A student may be exempted from this policy's requirements on religious or medical grounds if the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) present to the Assistant Principal for Pupil Personnel Services a signed statement explaining the objection. A student may be exempted from the health examination or immunizations on medical grounds if a physician provides written verification.
Any homeless child shall be immediately admitted, even if the child or child's parent/guardian is unable to produce immunization and health records normally required for enrollment. Board policy 6:140, Education of Homeless Children, governs the enrollment of homeless children.
Homebound Instruction Program
The Homebound Program, according to State guidelines, is designed to serve students physically unable to attend regular school programs, and therefore, must be served in home or hospital settings.
The child must be physically handicapped to a degree which necessitates a special program. This assumes the presence of one of the following:
Congenital handicapping condition.
A chronic long-term illness.
A convalescent phase of an acute illness which is at least 10 school days in estimated duration.
The confined period following a traumatic episode or surgical procedure which requires at least 10 school days.
In order to qualify for such a program, the student must be free of contagious disease and certified by a medical examiner to be in need of home or hospital services for a period of at least two weeks. Home/hospital instruction can be approved when the medical examiner states that the student will be unable to attend high school classes for a minimum of 10 consecutive school days. When the student returns to school or it is beyond the end of the school year, the homebound program ceases except in special cases which must be approved by the High School Director of Special Education.
Homebound instruction can be applied for through the Student Services Department.
Cafeteria Service
A variety of foods are offered on the menu each school day enabling students and staff to make choices to meet their nutritional requirements. Free and reduced priced meals are available for families meeting Federal Income Guidelines.
A variety of a la carte items (each item priced separately) will continue to be offered at breakfast and lunch to both students and faculty. Further information from the Food Service Management Company is included in the summer mailing.
Information Resource Center
The Information Resource Center is open before, during, and after the school day. This is a quiet study area and students are expected to observe those regulations considered necessary for the benefit of all users. (Hours may change. Please check posting.)
NORTH: Monday - Thursday, 7:15 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Friday until 3:30 p.m.
WEST: Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Friday until 3:45 p.m.
Students may use either IRC during evening hours. Students may use the facilities for reference work, assignments, or browsing during any of their unassigned periods as well as entry from study halls.
Students must present I.D. cards when checking out media materials. Lost IDs should be reported immediately to the Bookstore. The I.D., which is school property, is handled exactly like a charge card. If students do not report its loss, they will be held responsible for any materials checked out on the lost card.
The IRCs subscribe to may fee-based online products that are accessible from computers at home using the internet. Stop in your IRC to pick up a bookmark with current logins and passwords.
Fees for lost and damaged materials are levied at current replacement costs.
Testing Center
NORTH: 7:10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
WEST: 7:10 a.m. - 4:10 p.m.
The Point (North) and the Literacy Center (West)
The Point at Niles North and The Literacy Center at Niles West are places to go if you need help with your academic work. Faculty and trained student tutors assist students in learning and applying strategies for reading, writing, speaking, problem solving and note-taking that can be applied across all curricular areas. You may visit them before school, during lunch, during study hall, or after school.
The Point is open Monday - Thursday, 7:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 7:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Literacy Center is open Monday - Thursday, 7:20 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. and Friday 7:20 a.m. – 3:23 p.m.
Weight Room Hours
The Weight Room is open during the following times (please note preference is given to student athletes):
NORTH: Monday – Friday, 3:40 p.m. - 5:10 p.m.
WEST: Monday – Friday, 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fitness Center / Cardio Lab Hours
NORTH: Monday – Friday, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
WEST: Monday – Friday, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Counselors
Upon entering high school, each student is assigned to a counselor who will assist him/her throughout the high school experience.
Counselors work with their students to help them:
develop self-awareness, self-understanding and self-acceptance
build self-confidence
recognize and make the best use of their abilities
adjust to the school environment
work through educational and personal social concerns
develop problem-solving and decision-making skills
Counselors help students:
to interpret school policies and programs
to develop a four-year educational plan
to make appropriate course selections
to understand standardized test results
to research post-high school opportunities
to develop post-high school plans
College/Career Counselor
Each high school has a college/career counselor who assists students, upon referral from their guidance counselor, in selecting colleges appropriate to their career goals, interests and achievements. The college counselor acts as informational coordinator for both students and faculty on educational trends in higher education and financial aid and scholarships. The college counselor also maintains a college/career resource center where students may obtain information related to college selection, careers, catalogues, tests and financial aid.
Mental Health Services
Resources for Sexual Abuse
Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center Skokie
What if scenarios to help students and families
DCFS - Tips for Recognizing Abuse & Child Abuse Hotline
RAINN - Grooming Warning Signs
https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs
Erin’s Law for Parents
https://www.erinslaw.org/for-parents/
Erin’s Law Resources for Children
https://www.erinslaw.org/for-children/
School Psychologist
The school psychologist helps students regarding school and family concerns. In addition, he makes individualized recommendations concerning a program that will enhance the strength and meet the needs of the individual student.
Social Workers
Each high school has two social workers to help students who have difficulty in making good use of their school opportunities. The social workers handle individual cases, deal with the home and home-school relations, and work through community agencies. In addition, they can provide a referral to an outside agency, when needed.
Peer Mediation
Peer Mediation is a program in which disputes between students are resolved through a process of discussion, brainstorming, problem-solving and finally, mutual agreement. Student mediators are specially trained in these skills and facilitate the mediations with minimal adult involvement. Students are encouraged to seek mediation as a means of resolving disputes before such disputes become violent confrontations. For more information, contact any Dean or counselor.
Volunteer Services Program – Students
This program offers students an opportunity to serve the school as student aides to teachers, administrators, or the clerical staff. Students assigned to a study hall or students with unscheduled time are eligible to apply. Interested students should contact their counselor.