Holy Cross School Policies - Health

HEALTH RECORDS

For the safety and well being of all children, each student is required by the State of Illinois School Code to furnish documented evidence of physical examination and proof of immunity against Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio myelitis, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, Hepatitis B, and Lead poisoning screening when indicated, and in compliance with the HIB vaccination schedule.

If your doctor chooses not to perform a lead poisoning screening on your child under the age of six, the doctor should note that a risk assessment was performed and a lead screening was not necessary.

A complete physical examination, with immunization dates, is required for students entering school for the first time, for Kindergarten and for 5th grade students. The physical exam is to take place within one year of beginning school, or be done by October 15 of the new school year.

The school is required by the State Board of Education to use a standard form furnished by the state to record and verify the physical examination and immunization data. This form, entitled "Certificate of Child Health Examination," is available at the school or Health office. No other form will be accepted from your family doctor. The physical examination form must include the dates of each immunization required by the state of Illinois Code, the physician's signature, the signature of health care provider verifying immunizations, and a completed health history filled in by the parent and signed.

The required form must be returned to the school Health Office on or before the first day of class. If you do not comply with this health requirement before October 15 of the given year, your child will not be permitted to attend school. The only exceptions are those approved by the administration.

If a religious objection is made to any immunizations, a written and signed statement from parent or legal guardian must be sent to the Health Office detailing such objections. If a medical objection is being made, the family physician must state in writing the reason for the exception and the immunizations that are contraindicated. All such statements need to be attached to the physical exam form. This is mandated from the State of Illinois.

The chickenpox (varicella) vaccination is now a required immunization. Children entering into any school-operated program for the first time at the kindergarten level and below will be required to show proof of having received one dose of chickenpox vaccine on or after their first birthday.
The Illinois General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted to mandate the chickenpox vaccination. Further information can be found in the Illinois Department of Public Health site at www.idph.state.il.us.gov.

Illinois Law requires some dental examinations. At Holy Cross School, dental examinations are recommended. Forms to provide the school with documentation are available through the Health Office or in the School Office.

MEDICATION

Medication should ordinarily be administered in the home; however, there are circumstances and certain times where medication must be administered during the school day in order that the child attends school on a regular basis.
A written order from the physician detailing medication, dosage and time intervals for dispensation must be on file in the Health Office.

Non-prescription drugs also require a written order from the physician. Documented permission from the parent must also be on file in the Health Office to permit the child to receive medication during school hours.
Forms pertinent to administration of medications are available in the Health Office and must be filled out and signed by the physician, detailing medication, dosage and time intervals for dispensation. This also pertains to NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION such as: Tylenol, Advil, etc., to be on file for any use during the school year. The same form needs to be filled out by physician. The medication permission form needs to be filled out just once for the entire school year.

The parent must furnish all medications in the original sealed container, properly labeled by the pharmacist or physician. Medication, Permission & Instruction forms are available in the Health Office.
All medications must be kept in the Health Office, with the case-by-case exception of prescribed inhalers. Under no condition is a child to keep medication on his person or to be expected to self regulate the intervals when it is to be taken. Students taking medication are expected to come at the designated time, or are called by the school nurse, and in the presence of the nurse or designated staff member, take the medication as required.
The school does not distribute over the counter drugs. If your child has a cold and needs to take cough drops, bring the cough drops and a note to the homeroom teacher who will assist the child in managing intake.

ASTHMA: : If your child has asthma, he/she has two options for administration of asthma medication. Two forms, Permission to Administer Medication and the "Student Action Plan", must be filled out by parent and physician for all asthma children. Medication is then labeled properly and left in the Health Office as stated above. If, on the Permission to Administer Medication your physician circles "yes", that the student may self-administer, then the second option goes into effect. As of 2001, students are allowed to carry and self-administer their own asthma medication as needed. Self-administration requires one additional form called "Authorization for Self-Administration of Asthma Medication," filled out by parents. If the second option appeals to your situation be aware that the school is completely absolved of any liability in the administration of the drug, the storage, and potential injury/side effects that may result from self-administration. This type of administration seems to be effective for our Junior High students located a further distance from the Health Office and for students with after school activities that require pre-medication AND access to their inhaler.

IN-SCHOOL ILLNESS AND ACCIDENTS

A child who becomes ill or injured during the school day is to approach the teacher or staff member in charge who will send the child to the Health or School Office. Should it be judged necessary for the student to be taken home, the office will notify the parent. If a parent cannot be reached, the designees listed on the Emergency Card will be called. Should those persons not be available and if the nature of the illness or injury is considered serious for the place and circumstances, the police (911) will be called to assume responsibility for the sick or injured student.

EMERGENCY CARDS

Two copies of the Emergency Card are to be completed in full each year, providing requested information to secure the health and safety of each child. Please notify the school office in writing if and when any information changes during the year.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

All students are to be insured. Additional accident insurance for school-time or 24 hour coverage is offered and made available at the beginning of the school year.

CHILD ABUSE
By law (P.A. 81-1077) school personnel are required to report reasonable cause to believe that a student may be abused or neglected.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Any child having an elevated temperature of 99.6 F. will be sent home, and must remain at home 24 hours after temperature has returned to normal. This is a safeguard for all children concerned.
Following is a list of the most common communicable diseases, the time of incubation and isolation, and the type of information needed by the school.

Chicken Pox: Communicable from four to five days before onset of symptoms and until lesions have formed crusts. Control: Must be isolated and excluded from school for not less than five days after the eruption of the last vesicles or until vesicles become dry. Notify the school immediately and report to the school nurse upon return.
Common Cold and Cough: Communicable one day before onset of symptoms to five days after symptoms begin. Control: Child should stay home during the acute stage even though the temperature is normal.
Head Lice (Pediculosis): Communicable until lice or eggs (nits) are destroyed by treatment. Control: Excluded from school until day after the first shampoo, lotion or cream rinse pediculicide is properly applied, the lice are destroyed and all nits are removed. Notify school immediately. Teach children not to share combs, brushes, hats and coats.
Impetigo:Communicable as long as lesions continue to drain or a carrier state persists. Control: Child is excluded from school until 24 hours after treatment begins. A written release from the doctor is required for re-entry. Remind children to wash their hands.
Pink Eye: Communicable until active infection resolves. Control: Child is excluded from school until 24 hours after treatment begins. Notify the school immediately. A written release from the doctor is required for re-entry. Remind children to wash their hands.
Streptococcal Sore throat and Scarlet Fever: Communicable if untreated for ten days to two weeks or, following treatment, generally, from 24 to 48 hours. Control: Child is excluded from school until 24 hours after treatment begins. Notify the school immediately. A written release from the doctor is required for re-entry. Remind children to wash their hands.
Fifth Disease: : Is a mildly/moderately contagious viral infection in winter and spring. Fifth disease usually begins with the distinctive bright red cheeks that look as though the child has been slapped. Symptoms: Low-grade fever, bright red cheeks, flat or raised red rash on arms and legs, lasts from 2 to 39 days and may itch. Sometimes headache, sore throat and joint pain. It is spread through coughing and sneezing. It is treated like any viral infection. Frequent hand washing will help in prevention.

PROLONGED ILLNESS

An absence due to illness of five school days or more require a doctor's written release before the child will be allowed to reenter. If the absence is due to a communicable disease, for the protection of all of the children and adults, the school must be immediately notified.

HEALTH RESOURCES

Lake County Immunization Program
2400 Belvidere Rd.
Waukegan, IL
Immunization Clinic
377-8470

Condell Medical Center
Professional Building
801 S. Milwaukee
Libertyville, IL
362-2900

Victory Memorial Hospital (Vista Health)
1324 N. Sheridan Rd.
Waukegan, IL
249-3900

St. Therese Medical Center
2615 Washington St.
Waukegan , IL
360-4127
(Also called Vista Health)

Highland Park Hospital
718 Glenview Ave.
Highland Park, IL
432-8000

Lake Forest Hospital
900 Medical Building
900 Westmoreland
Lake Forest, IL
234-5600

All above telephone numbers use the (847) area code.

VISION AND HEARING SCREENING

Annual hearing and vision screenings are provided for all students new to the school and for grades as selected by the Board of Health; hearing and vision for Pre School, Kindergarten, First, Second and Third graders; vision only for fifth graders. Referrals by parents and teachers of students at other grade levels are honored. Parents will be notified when and if it is determined that their child should be referred for further testing.