Nurse

KSD 140 has the services of a full-time Registered Nurse at every school building. First aid is administered as necessary. Parents will be contacted immediately in the event of a serious injury. If the situation warrants, paramedics will be called, and the student will be taken to an area hospital; the cost of the ambulance will be the parent's responsibility. Emergency information must be up to date. Each child has a permanent Health Record that contains all pertinent information. Please keep the school notified of any health problems. All information is kept confidential and only shared with staff on a need-to-know basis. Please contact the school to discuss any health problems or attendance concerns.

If a teacher suspects a child is ill while in class, the child will be sent to the health office. Parents will be notified when their child has a fever over 100°F and exhibits other symptoms indicating a need for further evaluation. A child sent home with a fever may not return to school for any reason until the fever has subsided and remained normal for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. If a child has been sent home because of vomiting or diarrhea, the child should stay home until there has been no more vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours. When an illness or condition outbreak occurs in a classroom, an informative note may be sent home. If a child is absent for three consecutive days or more, a note from their healthcare provider may be necessary to explain the condition.

To protect your child and others, please do not send your child to school with a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, persistent cough, sore throat, swollen glands, earache, and/or runny nose.

Please see the guidelines below to help prevent the spread of illness and to help you decide whether or not to send your child to school.

In addition to immunizations, the State of Illinois requires the following for all students enrolled in public or private schools:

• Speech Walk-In students are required to have a school physical examination.
• Early Childhood and Preschool Program - Students need a school physical examination.
• Kindergarten - Students need a school physical, dental, and vision examination.
• 2nd Grade - Students need a dental examination.
• 6th Grade - Students need a school physical and dental examination.

Additionally, any student enrolling in school for the first time in Illinois must have an eye exam. 

Health Forms:

• Required Health Information
• Physical Exam
• Dental Exam
• Vision Exam
• Asthma Action Plan
• Authorization for Administration of Medication in School
• Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP)
• Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Treatment Authorization
• Parental Consent For KSD 140 Intramural or SWIC Participation
• Seizure Action Plan
• Sports Physical (Middle Schools Only)
• Student Athlete/Extracurricular Participation Agreement

Medication:

District 140 recognizes that some students may require the administration of medication during school hours. In order for your student to receive medication in school, including non-prescription drugs, the KSD 140 Authorization for Administration of Medication in School form must be completed by both the licensed prescriber and the parent. Medication, including over-the-counter medicines, must be brought to school in the original container. Parents are asked to bring medication to the school nurse. Children should not transport medicine to or from school.

Additionally, your child’s doctor may determine that it is appropriate for him/her to self-possess an inhaler and/or EpiPen during school hours and during school related activities. Please alert the school nurse, teacher, and coach if your student is prescribed an inhaler or EpiPen. If your child is prescribed an inhaler, the school nurse will make a copy of the licensed prescriber’s order printed on the front of the container for the inhaler. If your child is prescribed an EpiPen, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) should be developed with input from the doctor and parent. Please download and complete an Illinois Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan and Treatment Authorization form. The school nurse and the appropriate staff will facilitate the EAP when your child is in school and during school-related activities.

Vision and Hearing Screenings

District 140 nurses conduct vision and hearing screenings for its students according to the following schedule. Vision screenings are conducted for all students in kindergarten, second grade, eighth grade, all new students to the District, and annually for all students who receive special education. Hearing screenings are conducted for all students in kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, all new students to the District, and annually for all students receiving special education.

Speech and Language Screening

Periodically throughout the school year, Speech-Language Pathologists of Kirby School District 140 will be evaluating children for possible articulation, fluency (stuttering), voice, or language problems. Those students to be screened include: 1) new students to the District who have not been previously screened; and 2) pupils recommended by their classroom teacher or parent. Parents will be notified of screening results.

Flu Information

District and school administrators are working with U.S. and Illinois education and health agencies to plan for the upcoming flu season to be sure our policies and practices are appropriate should the flu impact our schools. As more information is available, it will be shared with families.

Overall, students and staff are reminded to exercise good personal hygiene habits. The Illinois Department of Public Health suggests the Three C’s:

Clean – Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs
Cover – Your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not your hand
Contain – your germs – stay home if you are sick

Head Lice

To review information relating to head lice, please click on the links below:

• School Protocol for Head Lice
• Head Lice Fact Sheet

Sick Day Guidelines

Please see the guidelines below to help prevent the spread of illness and to help you decide whether or not to send your child to school.