Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, Management

While it is not possible for the district to completely eliminate the risks of an anaphylactic emergency when a student is at school, an Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program using a cooperative effort among students’ families, staff members, students, health care providers, emergency medical services, and the community helps reduce risks and provide accommodations and proper treatment for anaphylactic reactions.

CCSD 89 has adopted Board Policy 7:285 Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program. Parents/guardians can contact the nurse or principal at their child’s school or district nurse Araceli Orozco with any questions about how the policy can apply to their child.

Communicable and Chronic Infectious Diseases

Parents/guardians should notify the nurse or principal at their child’s school if the child has a communicable and/or chronic infectious disease. A student with or carrying a communicable and/or chronic infectious disease has all rights, privileges, and services provided by law and the Board of Education's policies.

If a student’s communicable or infectious disease affects his or her ability to participate in the district’s educational programs, he or she shall be treated as a disabled person under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, unless the student has already qualified for and is receiving services through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Rules and guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) should be consulted and supersede these procedures. Guidance documents and important information include:

1. Communicable Disease Guide: https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/Comm-Chart-school_05.03.2023.pdf
2. The Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2310/) and the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/). Both expanded the statutory authority of the governor and IDPH to respond to significant threats to the public health.

Concussions

Students may not participate in an interscholastic athletic activity during a school year until the student's guardian has signed and submitted the pre-participation acknowledgment and consent form that explains concussion prevention, symptoms, treatment, oversight, and guidelines for resuming participation in athletics following a concussion.

After suffering a concussion, a student may not return to competition, practice, or PE until the student has provided his or her school with written clearance from a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches in Illinois, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant or a certified athletic trainer working in conjunction with a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches in Illinois.  

More information and the sign-off form are available at www.ccsd89.org/domain/675 See Board policy 7:305 (Student Athlete Concussions and Head Injuries) for additional information. Board policies are available at www.ccsd89.org/board

Diabetes

Parents/guardians must notify the nurse or principal at their child’s school if the student has a diagnosis of diabetes. CCSD 89 will follow the Care of Students with Diabetes Act, including the requirement that the parent provide the school with a Diabetes Care Plan (completed by their physician) and an authorization and release form, which must be updated on an annual basis. The Diabetes Care Plan will serve as the basis for a Section 504 plan or as part of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Staff will receive training on the care of a student with diabetes according to state mandates.

Head Lice

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

• Parents are required to notify the school nurse if they suspect their child has head lice.
• Infested students will be sent home following notification of the parent/guardian.
• The school will provide written instructions to parent or guardian regarding appropriate treatment for the infestation.
• A student excluded because of head lice will be permitted to return to school only when the parent/guardian brings the student to school to be checked by the school nurse or building principal and the child is determined to be free of the head lice and eggs (nits). Infested children are prohibited from riding the bus to school to be checked for head lice.

Health Certificate

A health certificate from your physician is required:

1. After certain communicable diseases, to show freedom from contagion. If you inform the school that your child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease, the district will share this information with the local health department. (Board Policy 7:280 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease)
2. After a rash, to show freedom from contagion.
3. After surgery or significant injury, to notify the school of any restriction on physical activity.
4. When an excuse from physical education classes is necessary for longer than three days. (Board Policy 7:260 Exemption from Physical Education)
5. When requested by the nurse.

Health Forms and Requirements

All health forms and requirements are available on the district website at: www.ccsd89.org/health.

Health Records

Each child’s health examination and immunization records are kept up to date. When a child transfers, the health record is sent to the new school upon request of that school. Parents should inform the school principal and the school nurse of any health problem their child has, especially if the medical condition could result in an emergency situation at school.

Parents/guardians are requested to provide updated action plans on an annual basis (e.g. asthma, seizure, food allergy). These care plans should be dated after the end of the previous school year.  

Illness at School

If a child becomes ill at school, the parents or other responsible party will be notified as soon as possible. During registration, parents are asked to provide the name and phone number of an emergency contact who can come for the child if the parents are not available. These emergency forms should be kept up to date and the school should be notified immediately if there is any change in the emergency information.

Medication Policy and Procedures

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:270 (Administering Medicines to Students)

Only those medications essential to maintain a student’s health are to be given during the school day. All medications must be prescribed by a medical doctor, including over-the-counter medications. A School Medication Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the physician and the parent or legal guardian before any medication is given at school. Parents will receive the medication policy within 15 days of the start of the school year. The School Medication/Self-Administration Authorization form (Board Policy 7:270-F2) must be renewed each school year, and dated after the end of the previous school year.

Parents or guardians are the only individuals permitted to carry a student’s medication to and from school, with the exception of those students who have provided the school with a copy of signed consent for their child’s unsupervised self-administration of medication and/or an epinephrine auto-injector. Medication must be in the original container or current prescription bottle. All medication, with the exception of approved asthma medications and/or an epinephrine auto-injector, will be kept in the nurse’s office in a locked cabinet, and dispensed according to a physician’s orders.

Students shall not allow other students to carry, possess or use their prescription or non-prescription medication, and violation of this rule may result in discipline. The district shall not be held liable for misuse of medication by the student who is permitted unsupervised self-administration of asthma medication and/or an epinephrine auto-injector, or for the misuse of the medication by others. In order for a student to be allowed to self-carry their inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector, both the parents and the physician must indicate consent on the authorization form.

CCSD 89 maintains a supply of undesignated epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) for students who have forgotten their EpiPen at home or who do not have a known food allergy. A registered nurse may administer an EpiPen to any student who he or she, in good faith, believes is having an anaphylactic reaction even though the parent/guardian has not completed and signed an Emergency Action Plan or otherwise granted permission to administer the epinephrine injector. The district, school, and its employees and agents are exempt from any claims, except for a claim based on willful and wanton conduct arising out of the administration of asthma medication, an epinephrine injector, or an opioid antagonist - regardless of whether authorization was given by the student’s parent/guardian or by the student’s physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse. Parents/guardians must sign and return an acknowledgement to the district to that effect. Parents/guardians who do not want their child to be administered epinephrine under any circumstances may “opt out” by submitting a written request to the school.

No one, including without limitation parents/guardians of students, should rely on the district for the availability of an EpiPen. The supply of emergency epinephrine is not intended to replace epinephrine prescribed to students with known allergies. Physicians should still prescribe epinephrine as appropriate and encourage parents whose children are suffering from a severe allergy to put in place an Emergency Action Plan with their child’s school.

For self-administration of asthma medications only, parents or guardians of the students may provide the prescription label, which must contain the name of the medication, the prescribed dosage, and the time or circumstances under which the medication is to be administered in lieu of the written physician authorization. The district, school, and its employees and agents are exempt from liability or professional discipline, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from a student’s self-administration of any medication pursuant to a student’s authorized self-administration of medication plan (IEP, Section 504, Individual Health Care Action Plan, or allergy emergency action plan). Parents/guardians must sign and return an acknowledgement to the district to that effect.

Students participating in before- and after-school functions that are sponsored by non-district entities (YMCA, Scouts, etc.) do not have access to student medication provided to the school. If students require medication at these functions, parents must work directly with these organizations for administration.

Anti-overdose medication: In compliance with Illinois law, anti-overdose medication (opioid antagonists that can be used in the event of an overdose) is now available at all five CCSD 89 schools. Naloxone is liquid in a small bottle that can be sprayed in a person’s nostril if you believe they are having an overdose. Naloxone can temporarily reverse the effects of an overdose until medical help arrives.

In CCSD 89 schools, the naloxone is stored with the defibrillators (AED machines) that are available at every school. Instructions on how to use the spray are stored in the same location. CCSD 89 staff members have also received training in opioid overdose reversal.  Administering naloxone to a person who has not taken an opioid medication will not injure or harm the person.

Physical Examinations and Immunizations

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 7:100 (Health, Eye, Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students)

A physical examination is required by law for all pupils entering preschool, kindergarten (or first grade, if a child did not attend kindergarten), sixth grade, and students transferring into Illinois from out of state or out of country to CCSD 89 in other grades. New students who register after October 15 of the current school year shall have 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization regulations. If records are not complete at that time, the child could be subject to exclusion from school until the requirements are on file at the school. All health forms are available at www.ccsd89.org/health

Proof of the student’s required health examination and immunizations must be provided to the district by October 15 of the current school year or by an earlier date if established by the district. The examination must be completed within one year prior to entry into one of the above grades (or transfer from out of state or out of the country to CCSD 89) and must include:

• Physical examination, which shall include an evaluation of: height, weight, blood pressure, BMI, skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, mouth/dental, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genito-urinary, neurological, musculoskeletal, spinal examination, nutritional status, lead screening and other evaluations deemed necessary by the examiner. The strongly recommended evaluations include hemoglobin or hematocrit, urinalysis, and sickle cell. The examiner should list any medications the child takes routinely, diet restrictions/needs, special equipment needed, or other needs, and known allergies.
• Medical history, which shall be completed and signed by the parent or legal guardian of the student. The medical history shall be inclusive as indicated on the Certificate of Child Health Examination form.

Students must also provide evidence that they have received immunization against preventable communicable diseases. All students must be immunized against specific diseases as required by federal and state laws and regulations, including diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Any child entering the school district (kindergarten through eighth grade) shall show proof of having received four or more doses of polio vaccine.

It is recommended that students receive a tuberculosis skin test. The influenza vaccine is not required but families are encouraged to speak with their physician about receiving the influenza vaccine.

All students must have received two doses of varicella vaccine on or after their first birthday and a second no less than four weeks later. Any child entering kindergarten through eighth grade shall show proof of having received two doses of the varicella vaccine or proof of disease or immunity. Students may also provide documentation of physician-diagnosed varicella disease, have a statement from a health care provider verifying that a parent’s description of varicella disease history is indicative of past infection, or have laboratory evidence of immunity to varicella.

Preschool, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are required to have received three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine administered at the appropriate intervals. Preschool students must have received Haemophilus Influenza Type B series (Hib) vaccine after age 15 months and one dose of Pneumococcal Conjugate series vaccine.

All sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are required to have a Tdap booster (defined as tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) and have a Meningococcal vaccine on or after their 11th birthday.

A diabetes screening shall be included as a required part of each health examination and results of the diabetes risk assessment shall be documented on the Certificate of Child Health Examination form.

Age-appropriate developmental screening and an age-appropriate social and emotional screening are required parts of each health examination. 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.

Lead screening is a required part of the health examination for children age six years or younger prior to admission to preschool and kindergarten.

All Illinois children in kindergarten, second, and sixth grades will be required to have an oral health (dental) examination performed by a licensed dentist. Each child shall present proof of examination by a dentist prior to May 15 of the school year. Students may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement if compliance with would place an undue burden on the student or the student lacks access to a dentist. The waiver form is available upon request and must be submitted by May 15 of the school year. Students’ report cards may be held until parents/guardians provide proof of a completed dental examination (taken place within 18 months prior to May 15).

A vision examination is required for all children enrolling in kindergarten and any student enrolling for the first time in school in Illinois. The child must be examined within the previous year by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or a licensed optometrist before October 15 of the school year. Students may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement if compliance with would place an undue burden on the student or the student lacks access to an optometrist or to a physician who performs eye examinations.  The waiver form is available upon request and must be submitted by October 15 of the school year. 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 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. Students’ report cards may be held until proof of a completed eye examination or proof that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15.

State law allows exemptions from immunizations and physical, dental, or vision examinations based on religious or medical grounds. A physician may submit a statement of immunity or a medical objection, indicating that an immunization is medically contraindicated. A parent or legal guardian who object, for religious reasons, to immunizations or health examinations for their child for school entry must now have a Certificate of Religious Exemptions that is signed by a healthcare provider. The local school authority will determine if the objection is valid. Immunization clinics are held weekly by the DuPage County Health Department. For information regarding this service, call (630) 682-7400, or go to www.ccsd89.org/health

By law, CCSD 89 must submit required immunization data to the Illinois State Board of Education. Please contact your child’s school if you have any questions regarding district immunization records/data or other health requirements.

School Wellness

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 6:50 (School Wellness)

Student wellness, including good nutrition and physical activity, shall be promoted in the district's educational program, school-based activities, and meal programs. This policy shall be interpreted consistently with Section 204 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 and the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

The goals for addressing nutrition education and nutrition promotion include the following:

• Schools will support and promote sound nutrition for students.
• Schools will foster the positive relationship between sound nutrition, physical activity, and the capacity of students to develop and learn.
• Nutrition education will be part of the district’s comprehensive health education curriculum.

The goals for addressing physical activity include the following:

• Schools will support and promote an active lifestyle for students.
• Physical education will be taught in all grades and shall include a developmentally planned and sequential curriculum that fosters the development of movement skills, enhances health-related fitness, increases students' knowledge, offers direct opportunities to learn how to work cooperatively in a group setting, and encourages healthy habits and attitudes for a healthy lifestyle.

The curriculum will be consistent with and incorporate relevant Illinois Learning Standards for Physical Development and Health as established by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Seizures

Parents/guardians must notify the nurse or principal at their child’s school if the student has a seizure diagnosis.  CCSD 89 will follow the Seizure Smart School Act, including the requirement for the parent to provide the school with a Seizure Action Plan (completed by their physician) and an authorization and release form, which must be updated annually. The Seizure Action Plan will serve as a basis for a Section 504 plan or as part of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), as appropriate. Staff will receive training on care of the student with a seizure according to state mandates.  

Sports Physicals for Interscholastic Teams

Any student wishing to try out and participate in interscholastic sports (not intramurals) in middle school is required to have a certificate of physical fitness issued by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner not more than 395 days preceding such tryout, practice, or contest in any athletic activity.

You may submit documentation on the Physical Exam Form or a Sports Physical Form, which are both located on the district website at: www.ccsd89.org/health.

Student Accident Insurance

CCSD 89 has purchased a student accident insurance program that covers its students for injuries incurred while participating in school-sponsored and supervised activities, including all athletics. This plan is secondary to any primary medical insurance the student may currently have. WHEN INJURIES OCCUR, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT TO REQUEST A CLAIM FORM AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE AND SUBMIT THE FORM TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

Transfer Student Health Records

Children who transfer to CCSD 89 from another school system must show proof of a current, complete physical examination and proof of immunization within 30 calendar days after entering a CCSD 89 school.