JOHN F. KENNEDY SCHOOL HEALTH OFFICE
Maria Baird, RN BSN
baird.m@sv99.org
Embedded Files
The John F. Kennedy School Nursing Office website provides up-to-date school health information, including important notifications, updated policies and procedures, and current school admission requirements. All school health forms can be accessed using the Main Menu.
STUDENT HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL ADMISSION
ALL STUDENTS: IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
All students must submit an updated immunization record that provides proof of having received all of the vaccines required by the State of Illinois for the current school year. If a student cannot receive one or more of the required vaccines due to a medical condition, a letter of medical exemption indicating the reason the student cannot receive the vaccine(s) must be drafted and signed by a licensed healthcare provider. If a student does not receive vaccines due to religious beliefs, the Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption Form must be completed and signed by a licensed healthcare provider. The immunization record, letter of medical exemption (if applicable), and religious exemption form (if applicable) must be submitted at registration. Any student not in compliance with these requirements within 14 calendar days of the start of school may be excluded from school per State of Illinois regulations.
Pre-K/EC: PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
All incoming Pre-K students must submit the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Exam Form dated within the 12 months of the submission deadline. Physicals exams MUST be turned in within 2 weeks of the start of school. Any student not in compliance with these requirements may be excluded from school per State of Illinois regulations.
Kindergarten: PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, DENTAL EXAMINATION, & VISION EXAMINATION
All incoming Kindergarten students must submit the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Exam Form with lead and diabetic screens completed and dated within the 12 months of the submission deadline. Physicals exams MUST be turned in within 2 weeks of the start of school. Any student not in compliance with these requirements may be excluded from school per State of Illinois regulations.
All incoming kindergarten students must submit the IDPH Proof of School Dental Health Examination Form dated within 18 months of the submission deadline. Examinations must be performed by a licensed dentist, and can be waived with submission of the IDPH Proof of School Dental Health Examination Waiver Form.
All incoming kindergarten students the IDPH Proof of Eye Examination Form dated within 18 months of the submission deadline. Examinations must be performed by a licensed ophthalmologist, and can be waived with submission of the IDPH Proof of Eye Examination Waiver Form.
1st Grade: A new physical examination is not required.
2nd Grade: DENTAL EXAMINATION
All incoming second grade students must submit the IDPH Proof of School Dental Health Examination Form dated within 18 months of the submission deadline. Examinations must be performed by a licensed dentist, and can be waived with submission of the IDPH Proof of School Dental Health Examination Waiver Form.
3rd Grade: A new physical examination is not required.
4th Grade: A new physical examination is not required.
5th Grade: A new physical examination is not required.
6th Grade: PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND DENTAL EXAMINATION
All incoming sixth grade students must submit the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Exam Form dated within the 12 months of the submission deadline. School physicals fulfill the requirements for sixth grade students who choose to participate in sports-a separate sports physical is not necessary. Forms must be submitted no later than 14 calendar days after the start of the school. Any student not in compliance with these requirements may be excluded from school per State of Illinois regulations.
All incoming sixth grade students must submit the IDPH Proof of School Dental Health Examination Form dated within 18 months of the submission deadline. Examinations must be performed by a licensed dentist, and can be waived with submission of the IDPH Proof of School Dental Health Examination Waiver Form.
7th Grade: SPORTS PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (IF PLANNING ON PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS)
All seventh grade students who will be participating in a sport must submit the IHSA/IESA Pre-Participation Examination Form dated within 13 months of the submission deadline. Sports examinations are valid for 395 days or 13 months from the date they were completed, at which time a new examination must be completed and submitted in order to maintain eligibility for participation. The sports examination form must be submitted by the first day of practice for whichever sport the student will be participating in. Any seventh grade student that will not be participating in sports do not need to submit a physical examination form after sixth grade year.
8th Grade: SPORTS PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (IF PLANNING ON PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS)
All eighth grade students who will be participating in a sport must submit the IHSA/IESA Pre-Participation Examination Form dated within 13 months of the submission deadline. Sports examinations are valid for 395 days or 13 months from the date they were completed, at which time a new examination must be completed and submitted in order to maintain eligibility for participation. The sports examination form must be submitted by the first day of practice for whichever sport the student will be participating in. Any eighth grade student that will not be participating in sports do not need to submit a physical examination form after sixth grade year.
NEW/TRANSFER STUDENTS: PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, DENTAL EXAMINATION, VISION EXAMINATION, PROOF OF IMMUNIATIONS
Students entering an Illinois school from out of state or out of country for the first time at any grade level must submit the State of Illinois Certificate of Child Health Exam Form. The exam must be completed no earlier than a year (365 days) prior to the start of attendance at an Illinois school. Transferring students must also provide proof of dental examination and vision examination and must show proof of receiving the immunizations required by the State of Illinois for the current school year. Physical examination and proof of immunization must be submitted within 30 days of student entering the district. Failure to provide documents may result in exclusion from school per State of Illinois regulations.
IDPH IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR
IDPH IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR
immunization-requirements_2024-2025.pdf
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION IN THE SCHOOL
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION IN THE SCHOOL
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
Administration of any prescription medication to a student during school hours must be listed on the Prescription Medication Administration Authorization Form, which must be signed by a physician and a parent/guardian. The medication needs to be brought to the school nurse in its original packaging, and will be kept in a locked location in the nursing office. Students are allowed to carry and self-administer Epi-Pens and asthma inhalers, with the appropriate completed consent forms. An emergency action plan must accompany any asthma inhaler, epinephrine auto injector, rescue seizure medications and/or diabetic medication from the Physician. Forms are available in under main menu tab on nursing office page. Medication that is to be given three times a day may be given before school, at home right after school and at bedtime. (Unless a physician specified definite time schedule). All medication forms are only valid for the current school year, and will need to be renewed each subsequent year. Any medication not picked up in the nursing office at the end of the year, will be properly disposed of per State of Illinois regulations.
OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) MEDICATIONS
Administration of any over-the-counter medication to a student during school hours must be authorized during online school registation or listed on the Student Health Record Form, which must be signed by a parent/guardian. The medication needs to be brought to the school nurse in its original packaging, and will be kept in a locked location in the nursing office. All medication forms are only valid for the current school year, and will need to be renewed each subsequent year. Any medication not picked up in the nursing office at the end of the year, will be properly disposed of per State of Illinois regulations. Over-the-counter medications will be administered for no more than a three (3) consecutive days. Medication administration longer than 3 days, a doctor’s note will be required. Professional judgment will prevail when administering ANY medication at the school. A parent or guardian must notify the school nurse via email or phone call if a student has taken any medication at home prior to the start of the school day. This is not only to ensure the safety of the student's health from possibly recieving multiple does of the same medication but also to keep communication open between parents and school staff nurse.
Common Over-the-Counter medications that are frequently administered at school include, but are not limited to:
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) *Liquid form not available
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) *Liquid form not available
Cough Drops
Throat Lozenges (Cepacol)
Antacids (TUMS, Maalox, Pepto Bismol)
*Parents/Guardians are responsible for supplying their own student with over the counter medication for the year. Medications may be dropped off in the front office by an adult and the medication must have the students name on box. These medications will be stored in the nurse's office for your students individual use only and will not be shared among all students.
MEDICATION CONSENTS
MEDICATION CONSENTS
SCHOOL POLICIES
SCHOOL POLICIES
CARING FOR STUDENTS IN THE NURSES OFFICE
Students visit the nursing office for a variety of reasons throughout the day. Listed below are some of the most common complaints, and general guidelines that I follow. Each student is different and assessed and treated individually. Please refer to the Student Handbook for further information.
Stomach Ache/Nausea
This is one of the most common complaints when a student comes into the nurses office. I will attempt to rule out obvious causes such as hunger and constipation. If appropriate, simple interventions may be offered such as crackers or mints, or a trip to the bathroom. If there is a fever , vomiting and or diarrhea, a parent/guardian will be contacted and the student will need to be picked up. The student may return to school 24 hours after diarrhea and or vomiting has stopped.
Fever
A student who comes to the nurse's office with a temperature of 100.0 degrees or higher will need to be promptly picked up from school. To allow for sufficient time for recovery from illness, and to minimize the spread of an infectious illness your student must be fever free for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medication (Ibuprofen/Tylenol) before returning to school.
Cold symptoms and cough
Colds and coughs are very common complaints at the nurses office which can usually be managed with a cough drop (if a consent is signed and on file in the nurse's office), mint, and water. If a fever accompanies the cough and cold, a parent/guardian will be contacted to sign the student out of school.
Earache/Sore throat
These are very common complaints for students. There are many reason for sore throats and earaches. Many times placing a cotton ball in the outer canal of the ear will stop the pain of an earache. Sore throats may accompany an ear ache as well. Mints, lozenges (if consent is signed), and water will be offered to the student to help alleviate the pain. If your student has a fever along with either an earache or sore throat, the parent or guardian will be called and your student will need to be picked up.
Pink Eye
This is another frequent complaint. Not all eyes that are pink are considered pink eye. Conjunctivitis or pink eye is an irritation of the eyes. It can be caused by infection from a virus like a cold or from bacteria. Pink eye causes redness, itching or pain. Pink eye caused by bacteria usually has yellow or green thick drainage. Eyelids usually swell and may be pink. The eyelashes often are stuck together. Bacterial pink eye is very contagious. A parent/guardian will be contacted to sign the student out of school. Students may return to school 24 hours AFTER antibiotic treatment has begun or with a note from the Dr. stating that it is not contagious.
Head Injury
Bumps to the head are also frequent complaints. Bumps may range from simple taps to the head, students bumping heads at PE or recess, to a concussion. After a student suffers a head injury, the nurse will assess the student and attempt to determine if the student has suffered a minor head injury or a concussion. A minor injury would indicate that the student could remain in school and follow up with a health care provider as needed. A note will be sent home to parent/guardian for minor head injuries without immediate evidence of bruising, swelling or redarea. The nurse will be contacted for head injuries that result in a bruise, redness to the area or swelling to the area, and for students showing signs of a concussion. Students displaying concussion symptoms are sent home from school with a parent/guardian to be evaluated by a health care provider. Parents may choose to sign their child out of school regardless of the severity of the injury. This allows for the student to be closely observed by a parent.
Lice
Although lice are 'icky', they do not cause disease and are not dangerous to the child or others. When a student is seen scratching their scalps a trip to the nurse is in order. The nurse does a head check and if nits (eggs) attached to the hair close to the scalp (1”or less), or live louse is found, parent/guardian is contacted to pick the student up from school. The child is sent home with a head lice check list which shall be filled out and returned. Upon returning to school, the parent/guardian will accompany the student to the school, the student will be checked for lice and if clear the student will be sent to class. If not clear, the student will again be sent home. Information packets shall be sent home with the student. Many schools have dropped the 'no nit' policy, We have not, if the nurse sees nits on or close of scalp, the student is sent home. Some schools have adopted a policy where the student is not sent home when lice is found. We continue to send them as needed. Treatment of lice includes applying the lice formula AND combing out the nits. Full classrooms sweeps are not required or recommended. Schools are not a high risk area for getting lice. Multiple studies have shown that school rarely is the place of lice transmission. A call to the school nurse is greatly appreciated if a parent/guardian has found lice on their child. No student or parent will be notified of names of those with head lice.
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