Chapter 5 - Health & Safety

All students are required to present appropriate proof of a health examination and the immunizations against, and screenings for, preventable communicable diseases within one year prior to:

1. Entering kindergarten or the first grade;
2. Entering the sixth and ninth grades; and
3. Enrolling in an Illinois school for the first time, regardless of the student’s grade.

Proof of immunization against meningococcal disease is required for students in grade 6. A diabetes screening must be included as part of the health exam (though diabetes testing is not required).  Students between the age of one and seven must provide a statement from a physician assuring that the student was “risk-assessed” or screened for lead poisoning. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, an age-appropriate developmental screening and an age-appropriate social and emotional screening are required parts of each health examination.

Failure to comply with the above requirements by the first day of school for the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the school, subject to certain exceptions. A student will not be excluded from school due to his or her parent/guardian’s failure to obtain a developmental screening or a social and emotional screening. For more information, please click here.

New students who register mid-term have 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization requirements. 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 an appropriate medical professional.

Eye Examination

All students entering kindergarten or the school for the first time must present proof by the first day of school for the current school year of an eye examination performed within one year. Failure to present proof by the first day of school, allows the school to hold the student’s report card until the student presents: (1) proof of a completed eye examination, or (2) that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after the first day of school.

Dental Examination

All students entering kindergarten, second and sixth grades must present proof by May 15 of the current school year of having been examined by a licensed dentist within the last 18 months. Failure to present proof allows the school to hold the child’s report card until the student presents: (1) proof of a completed dental examination, or (2) that a dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 15.

Exemptions 

A student will be exempted from the above requirements for:

1. Medical grounds if the student’s parent/guardian presents to the building principal a signed statement explaining the objection;
2. Religious grounds if the student’s parent/guardian presents to the building administration a completed Certificate of Religious Exemption;
3. Health examination/physical or immunization requirements on medical grounds if a physician provides written verification;
4. Eye examination requirement if the student’s parent/guardian shows an undue burden or lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or a licensed optometrist; or
5. Dental examination requirement if the student’s parent/guardian shows an undue burden or a lack of access to a dentist.

If a student becomes ill while at school, he or she should report to the Health Office. If the Health Office determines it is necessary, the parent/guardian will be notified. A student must be released through the Health Office. The health professional will call a parent/guardian if a student:

• Is ill and needs to go home
• Sustains any type of injury that needs immediate medical care
• Needs some type of parental follow up, for example; a low grade fever, rash, etc.

P.E. Medical Excuses

Students are expected to participate fully in P.E. unless there is a specific medical reason or condition that does not permit them to do so. If a student will be unable to participate in PE longer than 3 days, a note from a doctor will be required. It is requested that ALL P.E. excuses be brought to the Health Office at the beginning of the day. When a student is excused from P.E., they also may not be allowed to participate in recess upon the discretion of school personnel. Procedure requires students to provide their school with written clearance from a physician, parent/guardian and building administrator to return to their activities.

Casts/Crutches

If a student needs to use crutches at school, a health care provider’s note is required. A parent/guardian cannot determine the need for crutches. This must be determined by the healthcare provider. For the safety of the injured student and all other students around them, anyone in a cast, brace or boot or hard support will be excluded from PE recess, and all other physical activities until fully cleared by their medical provider without any restrictions. Students will be allowed to sit outside in a designated area at recess or observe PE/sport activities but will lose this privilege if found participating during these times. *Please note that allowing students outside for fresh air or to sit and watch PE/sporting activities does not guarantee their safety, as unexpected circumstances can still occur. 

The temporary or intermittent use of crutches, a wheelchair or other mobility device at school will require a healthcare provider's note and the family must provide the device. A parent or guardian cannot determine the need for these devices. The District reserves the right to restrict a student's physical activities within the school based on safety. These restrictions are to be applied only when necessary and will not change or override the goals or physical activity participation that is provided in a student's IEP.

Concussion Information

Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. In other words, even a “ding” or a bump on the head can be serious. You cannot see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs of a concussion can include, but are not limited to: headaches, nausea or vomiting, neck pain, dizziness, blurred vision, feeling foggy, drowsiness, fatigue, confusion, concentration, and or memory problems. Signs and symptoms of a concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of a concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of a concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.  

Any student even suspected of suffering a concussion will be assessed immediately. No student may return to an activity (classroom, athletic and extracurricular) after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Procedures require students to provide their school with written clearance from a physician, parent/guardian and building administrator to return to their activities. In accordance with state law, schools are required to follow this policy.

In any case where a student is suspected of having sustained a concussion, whether or not the concussion took place while the student was participating in an interscholastic athletic activity, parents/guardians shall be notified in writing of the District’s knowledge regarding the incident. For further information please refer to Board Policy 7:305 - Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries.

Taking medication during school hours or during school-related activities is prohibited 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 medication during school hours or school-related activities, the parent/guardian must request that the school dispense the medication to the student by completing a Medication Authorization Form.

No school or District employee is allowed to administer to any student, or supervise a student’s self-administration of, any prescription or non-prescription medication until a completed and signed Medication Authorization Form is submitted by the student’s parent/guardian. No student is allowed to possess or consume any prescription or non-prescription medication on school grounds or at a school-related function other than as provided for in this procedure. 

Self-Administration of Medication

A student may possess and self-administer an epinephrine injector (e.g., EpiPen®) and/or an asthma inhaler or medication prescribed for use at the student’s discretion, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a Medication Authorization Form.

Students who are diabetic may possess and self-administer diabetic testing supplies, equipment, and insulin if authorized by the student’s diabetes care plan, which must be on file with the school.

Students with epilepsy may possess and self-administer supplies, equipment and medication, if authorized by the student’s seizure action plan, which must be on file with the school.

Students may self-administer (but not possess on their person) other medications required under a qualified plan, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a Medication Authorization Form.

The school district shall incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from a student’s self-administration of medication, including asthma medication or epinephrine injectors, or medication required under a qualifying plan. A student’s parent/guardian must indemnify and hold harmless the school district and its employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim based on willful and wanton conduct, arising out of a student’s self-administration of an epinephrine injector, asthma medication, and/or a medication required under a qualifying plan.

Administration of Medical Cannabis

In accordance with the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program, qualifying students are allowed to utilize medical cannabis infused products while at school and school events. Please contact the building principal for additional information. Discipline of a student for being administered a product by a designated caregiver pursuant to this procedure is prohibited. The District may not deny a student attendance at a school solely because he or she requires administration of the product during school hours.

Undesignated Medications

The school may maintain the following undesignated prescription medications for emergency use: (1) Asthma medication; (2) Epinephrine injectors; (3) Opioid antagonists; and (4) Glucagon. No one, including without limitation, parents/guardians of students, should rely on the school or district for the availability of undesignated medication. This procedure does not guarantee the availability of undesignated medications. Students and their parents/guardians should consult their own physician regarding these medication(s).

Emergency Aid to Students

Nothing in this policy shall prohibit any school employee from providing emergency assistance to students, including administering medication.

Following the proper rules for activities in progress can prevent many accidents. However, if you have an accident at school, you must report it to a supervising adult immediately. Additionally, you must report it to the office/health office within 24 hours.

The school provides a guidance and counseling program for students. The school’s social workers, counselors, and psychologists are available to those students who require additional assistance.

Under Illinois law, any student 12 years or older may receive counseling services without consent of the student’s parent/guardian. However, until the consent of the student’s parent/guardian has been obtained, counseling services provided to a student under the age of 17 are generally limited to not more than eight 90-minute sessions.

Safety drills will occur at times established by the Board. Students are required to be silent and shall comply with the directives of school officials during emergency drills. There will be a minimum of three (3) evacuation drills, a minimum of one (1) severe weather (shelter-in-place) drill, a minimum of one (1) law enforcement drill to address an active shooter incident, and a minimum of one (1) bus evacuation drill each school year. There may be other drills at the direction of the administration. The law enforcement lockdown drill will be announced in advance and a student’s parent/guardian may elect to exclude their child from participating in this drill. All other drills will not be preceded by a warning to the students.

The school will observe recommendations of the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding communicable diseases.

1. Parents are required to notify the school nurse if they suspect their child has a communicable disease.
2. In certain cases, students with a communicable disease may be excluded from school or sent home from school following notification of the parent or guardian.
3. The school will provide written instructions to the parent and guardian regarding appropriate treatment for the communicable disease.
4. A student excluded because of a communicable disease will be permitted to return to school only when the parent or guardian brings to the school a letter from the student’s doctor stating that the student is no longer contagious or at risk of spreading the communicable disease.
5. Students who are unvaccinated and susceptible, after an exposure, may be excluded.

The school will observe recommendations of the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding head lice.

1. Parents/Guardians are to notify the school nurse if they suspect their child has head lice.
2. The health office staff will provide parents/guardians with ongoing support through written instructions and guidance on continued lice management.

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Threats and acts of targeted school violence harm the District’s environment and school community, diminishing students’ ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate. Providing students and staff with access to a safe and secure environment is an important goal of the School and District. While it is not possible to completely eliminate threats, the School and District maintain a Targeted School Violence Prevention Program and a Threat Assessment Team to reduce these risks to its environment.

Parents/guardians and students are encouraged to report any expressed threats or behaviors that may represent a threat to the community, School, or self. Reports can be made to any school administrator, law enforcement authorities, or the Safe2Help Illinois helpline (www.safe2helpil.com).

Students and parents are urged to participate in behavioral threat assessment and intervention programs if the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team believes that intervention is necessary to prevent a student from harming themselves or others. However, if for some reason there is a reluctance to participate in the process by the threat maker(s) or parent/guardian(s), the threat assessment process will continue in order to ensure a safe and caring learning environment for all.

For further information, please contact the Building Principal.

Domestic and sexual violence affect a student's ability to learn. Students who are parents or expectant parents have unique needs. Providing support services that enable students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence (Article 26A Students) to succeed in school are important school and district goals and are required by law.

Requesting Support Services

To facilitate the full participation of Article 26A Students, the school district provides in-school support services and information regarding non-school-based support services. Article 26A Students are also able to make up work missed on account of circumstances related to their status as a parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual violence.

In-school support services include, but are not limited to, enabling a student to meet with counselors or other service providers, excusing the student from class as necessary for circumstances consistent with their Article 26A status, and assisting students with the development of a student success plan.

An Article 26A Student and/or their parent/guardian may request a complete copy of the District’s policies related to Article 26A Students and information on support services by contacting the Article 26A Resource Person listed below.

Filing a Complaint

An Article 26A Student and/or their parent/guardian may file a complaint for violations of this procedure with the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, Building Principal, Assistant Building Principal, Dean of Students, a Complaint Manager, or any employee with whom the person is comfortable speaking.

Article 26A Resource People

Nondiscrimination Coordinator:

Dr. Eric Olson, Asst. Supt. of HR
300 Commerce Drive 
(815) 788-5000
Eolson@d47.org

Complaint Manager/Title IX Coordinator:

Dr. Ryan Olson, Asst. Supt. of Student Services
300 Commerce Drive 
(815) 788-5000
Rolson@d47.org

Retaliation Prohibited

Retaliation against an Article 26A Student or their parent/guardian for exercising or attempting to exercise their rights under this procedure is prohibited. Individuals should report allegations of retaliation to the Building Principal, an administrator, the Nondiscrimination Coordinator, and/or a Complaint Manager.