Health Requirements, Forms, and Other Information

Health Requirements for School Attendance

Health status information must be submitted on the Illinois Department of Public Health Certificate of Child Health Examination form, which is available through your child's school district office or this website. Information provided must include:

• verification of immunizations as required by your child's age and by the current Illinois Department of Public Health,
• proof of a physical examination completed by a licensed physician and,
• the completion of the Health History section of the physical examination signed by the parent or guardian of the child.
• a dental examination is required.
• diabetes screening performed by a licensed physician is also now required.

Failure to submit this information in a timely manner will result in the exclusion of the child from attendance at school.

Students who are transferring to an Illinois Public School from another state must sign a release of information so that records from their previous school that will confirm compliance with physical examination and immunizations requirements can be obtained from their former school. Students who are coming from out-of-state must provide this information upon transfer and must also furnish evidence of physical examination by a physician in the state of Illinois within one year from the date of transfer.

Health Forms Downloadable in .PDF Format

Please remember to update your Emergency Contact Form at the beginning of each school year and at any time there is a change in your information. This information and your child's physical examination are your best means for communication any health concerns to school personnel.

All the medical forms are available for download on the district registration page.

Description of District 107 Health Services

There is a health office equipped for first aid treatment in each school building. A full-time registered nurse supervises each office. School staff will assist in providing first aid and in administering medications when the nurse is not in the building.

School Nurses' Building Assignments

State of Illinois Immunization Requirements

Illinois State Law requires that all children entering Kindergarten, 6th grade, or transferring from out of state furnish evidence of a physical examination completed within one year prior to entry, including a current immunization record. Immunizations must be in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health requirements. All kindergarten students must have a Varicella Vaccine given on or after the child's first birthday. In lieu of this, a health care provider may give a signed statement indicating the date the child had the disease. Two measles immunizations are required for all children K-12, and a series of three Hepatitis B shots given over a six-month period are required for grades 5 through 8. Failure to meet this requirement will result in exclusion of the child from school until the Health Record is complete. Physicals and Immunizations are available from the Cook County Health Department. Phone 708-492-2000 for more information.

Sports Physical Examinations

Physical examinations are required each year for students who are participating in any interscholastic or intramural sports, after school or on weekends. Physical examinations are good for only one year from the date of the last examination, and must be on file in the health office before the student will be allowed to participate in team activities.

District 107 does not offer physical examinations through the school. If your child is planning to participate in any sports program during the school year, it is important that the physical examination be completed before the school year begins. This form, and all other health forms, are available at the Middle and Elementary school offices, or can be downloaded in PDF format directly from this site.

Medication at School: Information for Parents

District 107 policy authorized the administration of those medications, which are necessary to maintain a student in school and must be given during school hours or school activities.

All medications given at school (prescription and non-prescription) must be accompanied by a written authorization from the prescribing physician and a written parent's permission. These forms are available at each school office and may be faxed by your doctor's office for your convenience. You may also download the forms from this site.

Any changes in the dose or schedule must be accompanied by a written authorization from the physician and a written request from the parent.

All orders for long-term medication(s) must be renewed at least annually, preferably at the beginning of each school year.

Parents are encouraged to make arrangements with the school nurse for the development and implementation of a system for communicating the effectiveness and side effects of the medication(s).

Local Health Resources

Internet Links to Additional Sources of Health Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I decide that my child is sick enough to stay home from school?

Common sense is your best tool. Children who appear ill, who have "that look" should not be sent to school. A temperature of 100+ tells you that the child should stay home. He/she should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.

If your child has been placed on antibiotic therapy he/she should have been taking the medication for 24 hours before returning to school.

If the child has vomited or has had persistent diarrhea during the night or morning they should stay home.

Who/How do I call to report an absence?

Telephone the school office within one hour of the start of school. The number for the Elementary School is 708-246-4700 and for the Middle School is 708-246-3210. If you are calling prior to 8:30 am the number for both schools is 708-579-2688

Please report any communicable diseases e.g. chicken pox, strep throat, and conjunctivitis to the school. The school will respect the privacy of the individual child, and may notify families of exposure to infectious disease.

What do I do if my child needs to take medication at School?

If your child requires medication to be given at school, you must complete the Medication Authorization form (available at all school offices and online) and have the prescribing physician complete the correct portion of the same form.

The State of Illinois requires that an order from a licensed physician be provided for any medication that is to be given, including non-prescription and prescription medications. All medication must be brought to the school by a parent or guardian in the pharmacy container with the prescription label on it or in the original non-prescription container with the name permanently affixed. The medication will be kept in the nurse's office. Medication will be given by the school nurse, or in his/her absence, the principal, or office staff.

What do I do if I think my child may have head lice?

Getting head lice can happen to any child and is nothing to panic over or be embarrassed about. Have the school nurse check your child. If the presence of lice is confirmed, the nurse can provide you with the information and resources that you need to treat your child. Head lice are highly communicable, particularly in younger children, and can be difficult to prevent.

At the beginning of the school year, and after breaks, each family is asked to check their children's hair for signs of head lice. Parents are encouraged to report suspected cases to the nurse for confirmation. When a case is confirmed, classmates in close contact with the child are notified by note sent home from the school. Confidentiality of the particular child is always a priority. The notice asks parents to check their children and report any concern to the school nurse.

Usual treatment includes the use of a lice-killing product and the removal of all nits (louse eggs) from the child's hair before they return to school.

What do I do if my child has an acute or chronic illness and needs some special accommodation to attend school?

Contact the school nurse or the principal of the school your child attends.

What do I do if my child needs to be excused from physical education because of an injury or a health problem?

A parent/guardian note can excuse a student from physical education for a brief period. For an excuse in excess of one week a note from the attending physician is requested. The note should specify the nature of the disability and the length of time the student is to remain out of PE.

When is my child's vision and hearing checked?

Illinois State law requires that students in Kindergarten, 2nd, and 8th grades, all new students to the district, teacher or parent referrals, plus any students receiving special education services be screened annually for vision problems.

Hearing screening is required in grades K, 1,2,3, for all students receiving special education services, new students to the district, and teacher or parent referrals.

Some districts, including 107, choose to exceed the State requirements, especially at the elementary level.

Scoliosis Screening

The Illinois Department of Public Health no longer recommends yearly routine screening for scoliosis or curvature of the spine.

District 107 recommends that when the student is having the annual sports physical completed they request the physician check for spinal curvature.

(updated 10/05/2010)