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A sick child cannot learn effectively or participate fully in their education in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child home from school allows your child to rest and recover and prevents the spread of illness to others. To help maintain a safe and healthy learning environment, please see below for examples of common illnesses and guidelines on when to keep your child home from school. 
 

Colds
If your child has a moist, productive cough, chest congestion, or thick nasal discharge they should stay home from school. Continuous greenish discharge may be a sign of infection and you should consider consulting your healthcare provider.

COVID-19
Individuals who test positive for COVID should stay home until they are fever and symptom free for 24 hrs.

Fever
The American Academy of Pediatrics' definition of fever is 100.4 degrees or greater. Your child can return to school after being fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Lice (Scabies)
If your child has been diagnosed with a parasitic infection, please keep them home until after treatment has been initiated. For lice, they can return to school once there are no live lice noted on the head. The school nurse can help identify this, as needed. Click the link for more information on head lice. 

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
If your child's eyes are swollen, red or are draining, your child should stay home. If your child is diagnosed with Conjunctivitis, your child may return to school 24 hours after the first dose of the prescribed medication.

Rashes
If your child has a rash you cannot identify, they should not return to school until a health care provider has made a diagnosis and determined that the rash is not contagious.

Strep Throat
Children who have been diagnosed with strep throat should remain at home until they have been on antibiotics for a full 24 hours and fever-free for 24-hours without fever-reducing medication.

Vomiting/Diarrhea
If your child has vomited more than once in 24 hours or has had persistent diarrhea, they should stay home from school and remain home until symptom-free for 24 hours.

What if my student needs medication at school?

Students should not take medication during school hours or during school-related activities unless it is necessary for a student's health and well-being. When a student's licensed health care provider and parent/guardian believe that it is necessary for the student to take a medication during school hours or school-related activities, the parent/guardian must request that the school dispense the medication to the child and otherwise follow the District's procedures on dispensing medication.

Does the school provide vision and hearing screenings for students? 

Your student will be participating in a school-based screening program conducted by certified hearing and vision technicians. Screening is a simple method by which children with a potential problem may be identified. Vision and hearing screening tests, which shall not be considered examinations, shall be conducted in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Public Health, and by individuals whom the Department of Public Health has certified.

Vision

Per Public Act 093 - 0504 vision screening will be done, as mandated, for the following students: preschool, kindergarten, second-graders and eighth-graders new to the school district, students receiving special education services, and teacher referrals. Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months and that evaluation is on file at the school. This notice is not a permission to test and is not required to be returned. Vision screening is not an option. If a vision examination report is not on file at the school for your child, your child in the mandated age/grade/group will be screened.

Hearing

The following populations/grades are mandated for hearing screening in Illinois: preschool, kindergarten, first, second, third, special education, teacher referrals and students new to the District. In lieu of the screening services required, a completed and signed report form indicating that the child has had an ear examination by a physician and an audiological evaluation completed by an audiologist within the previous 12 months is acceptable. In cases of known hearing loss, an audiological evaluation completed by a licensed audiologist within the previous 12 months may be accepted instead of threshold monitoring services.

What if my student has an injury?

If your student is injured and requires activity restrictions for PE/recess during the school day, a written note from his/her doctor stating the specific activity restrictions and their duration must be on file at your student's school. Please also remember to provide to your student's school, a note from the doctor releasing your student to normal activities when the doctor deems your student safe to resume normal activities. If your child needs to use crutches while at school, a doctor's note is also required. Please understand that if your child must sit out of PE per an MD order, he or she must also sit out of recess.

What if my child has allergies? 

Please contact your school nurse and your student's teacher regarding any student allergies as soon as possible prior to the start of the school year. Your school nurse will review your student's health and allergy information and discuss the need for an individual health care plan for your student's safety at school.

What if my child becomes ill or injured during the school day?

Please make sure your contact information (phone number and email address) is up-to-date in ParentVue so that we may be able to reach you if your child becomes ill or injured while at school. 

What if my student is new to District 47? 

• If your student is a new incoming student to District 47 and is transferring from a school in Illinois, you are responsible for all state school entrance requirements. Your previous school district should send your student's health records to District 47 stating if your student is up-to-date and in compliance. Students entering the early childhood program, Kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades need a current physical completed within the past year. Students moving into the District have 30 calendar days, beginning with the first day of enrollment in the District, to present proof of physical examination and up-to-date immunizations.
• If your student is transferring from out of state, you must present his or her up-to-date immunization records at the time of registration. If your child is missing any immunizations, you have 30 days from the date of registration to obtain the necessary immunizations. If the student is missing immunizations that will need longer than 30 days to complete, an approved immunization schedule must be submitted from a physician to the school nurse. Proof of a current physical examination (within past year) that meets the requirements of the State of Illinois or proof of a physical exam completed in Illinois must be submitted before the student can attend. 
• Students who participate in extracurricular athletic programs within the school district are required to have an annual physical examination. Students are excluded from extracurricular athletic completion until the report of such an examination is on file.
• In accordance with a provision of the School Code of Illinois, students objecting to physical examinations on religious grounds shall not be required to submit themselves thereto, if they present to the Certified School Nurse a statement of such objection signed by a parent/guardian of the student. As of 8/12/15, there is now a change in the requirement in relation to religious objection and vaccines.  Please follow this link for more information. 

Health forms can be dropped off at the school's main office on or after August 1, 2024, or they can be submitted electronically over the summer. Below is the list of  medical records submissions, where records can be sent to the school health office via email. 

Asthma Action Plan Form

Authorization and Waiver for Use of CGM Application

Dental Exam Form

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan Form

Health Care Provider Orders for Student with Diabetes on Injections/Oral Medication

Health Care Provider Orders for Student with Diabetes on Insulin Pump

IHSA Pre-Participation  Form (For Sports Physicals)

Kindergarten Vision Exam Form

Medication Authorization Form

Medication Authorization Form (Spanish)

Medication Authorization Form for Medical Cannabis

Medication Authorization Form for Medical Cannabis (Spanish)

Physical Exam Form (English)

Physical Exam Form (Spanish)

Religious Exemption Form

Return to PE Form

School Seizure Action Plan

Vision Exam Form

Medical records can be dropped off at the school main office when school buildings reopen in early August or they can be submitted electronically over the summer. To submit medical records to the school health office via email, please click on your appropriate school below and attach your file via email.

Canterbury Elementary School 

Coventry Elementary School

Glacier Ridge Elementary School 

Glacier Ridge PreK 

Husmann Elementary School 

Indian Prairie Elementary School

North Elementary School 

South Elementary School 

West Elementary School

Woods Creek Elementary School 

Bernotas Middle School 

Hannah Beardsley Middle School 

Lundahl Middle School 

Per Illinois state law and District 47 board policy 7:100, children entering preschool, kindergarten, 6th and 9th grades must have a completed physical examination and proof of vaccination on file with the school health office before the first day of school. Medical forms must dropped off at the school and will not be accepted at the district office (CORE center). To submit your child's medical forms electronically, visit the list of medical records submission above for the appropriate school email address. Visit the list of health forms for any health forms needed.  For information about low-cost health providers and immunization clinics, visit McHenry County Family Resources and look for the Low Cost Healthcare Options section.

Below is a list of the state immunization and examination requirements by grade level:

Early Childhood:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis/whooping cough (DtaP); four doses, with last one given on or after second birthday
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); one dose, with first one given on or after first birthday but before age 2    
• Polio (IPV/OPV); three doses, with last dose given on or after second birthday
• Hepatitis B series; three doses, with the third dose given on or after six months of age
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib); three to four doses
• Varicella (Chicken Pox); one dose given on or after 12 months of age OR doctor-verified evidence of disease with date
• Lead screening assessment (if not given previously)
• Physical exam*

Kindergarten and 1st Grade:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis/whooping cough (DtaP); four doses, with last one given on or after fourth birthday
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); two doses, with first one given on or after first birthday and second one given no less than four weeks later  
• Polio (IPV/OPV); three doses, with last dose given on or after fourth birthday   
• Varicella (Chicken Pox); two doses, with first dose given on or after first birthday and second dose given no less than four weeks later OR doctor-verified evidence of disease with date
• Physical exam* (pertains to 1st grade only if first entrance into school)
• Dental exam** (Kindergarten only)
• Vision exam*** (pertains to 1st grade only if first entrance into school)

2nd Grade:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis/whooping cough (DtaP); four doses, with last one given on or after fourth birthday

• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); two doses, with first one given on or after first birthday and second one given no less than four weeks later  

• Polio (IPV/OPV); three doses, with last dose given on or after fourth birthday   
• Varicella (Chicken Pox); two doses, with first dose given on or after first birthday and second dose given no less than four weeks later OR doctor-verified evidence of disease with date
• Dental exam**

3rd, 4th and 5th Grades:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis/whooping cough (DtaP); four doses, with last one given on or after fourth birthday
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); two doses, with first one given on or after first birthday and second one given no less than four weeks later  
• Polio (IPV/OPV); three doses, with last dose given on or after fourth birthday   
• Varicella (Chicken Pox); two doses, with first dose given on or after first birthday and second dose given no less than four weeks later OR doctor-verified evidence of disease with date

6th and 7th Grade:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis/whooping cough (DtaP); four doses, with last one given on or after fourth birthday

• Tdap immunization; one dose
• Hepatitis B series (three injections at appropriate intervals)
• Meningococcal immunization; one dose
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); two doses, with first one given on or after first birthday and second one given no less than four weeks later  
• Polio (IPV/OPV); three doses, with last dose given on or after fourth birthday   
• Varicella (Chicken Pox); two doses, with first dose given on or after first birthday and second dose given no less than four weeks later OR doctor-verified evidence of disease with date
• Physical exam* (for students entering 6th grade)
• Dental exam** (for students entering 6th grade)

8th Grade:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis/whooping cough (DtaP); four doses, with last one given on or after fourth birthday
• Tdap immunization; one dose
• Hepatitis B series (three injections at appropriate intervals)
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR); two doses, with first one given on or after first birthday and second one given no less than four weeks later  
• Polio (IPV/OPV); three doses, with last dose given on or after fourth birthday   
• Varicella (Chicken Pox); two doses, with first dose given on or after first birthday and second dose given no less than four weeks later OR doctor-verified evidence of disease with date

For more information about recommended vaccines and the diseases they prevent, visit the Centers for Disease Control website or view these documents from the CDC website:

• For children under the age of 6:
• For children 7-18 years old
   

**PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

All students entering early childhood, kindergarten, 6th and 9th grades are required by the state of Illinois to have a health exam performed and signed by a licensed physician. The physical exam must have been completed within one year prior to the first day of school. The physical must be completely filled out, including the parent portion, to be considered in compliance. 

**DENTAL EXAMINATIONS

Students in kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grades must present proof of an examination by a dentist sometime during the school year and no later than May 15. The dental exam must have been completed within 18 months of the May 15th deadline.  

**VISION EXAMINATIONS

Students entering kindergarten or upon first entry into an Illinois school at any grade level must present proof of an eye examination by a licensed physician or optometrist prior to October 15. The eye exam must have been completed within one year of the October 15th deadline.

Per 105 ILCS 5/27-8.1 school districts must make immunization data publicly available each year by December 1. Click the link for this information.