School Health Issues
Health News and Events
- 6th Annual School Wellness Recognition Conference - May 3, 2013
- Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan (12/12)
- CPR Training for Students (9/12)
- DHS Questions and Answers Regarding School Health Record Issues (10/12)
- IDPH Memorandum: Herpes Gladiatorum in High School Wrestlers (1/13)
- Guidance Related to Section 226.840, Special Education: Qualifications of Personnel to Conduct Medical Review (12/12)
- Resources that address how to talk to children about the Connecticut shootings (12/12)
- Tdap Vaccine Requirement (1/13)
- Wind Chill and Heat Index Charts
Allergies
- School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act (PA97-0361) Update - August 2012
- EpiPen (epinephrine) Guidance (PA97-0361) - Illinois Attorney General's Office
- Food Allergy Guidelines and Resources
Asthma
Concussion
- The Illinois High School Association has a variety of resources on concussions on its Sports Medicine page at http://www.ihsa.org/initiatives/sportsMedicine/index.htm. Check under “Recent Announcements” for the latest, including guidelines for management of concussion in sports and a video on the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Return to Play Policy.
CPR Training for Students
- A student who has been shown a video on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be in a better position to save a life in school, at home or in the community. Public Act 097-0714, effective June 28, 2012, recommends such training for students in grades 6 through 8 as part of the school’s safety education curriculum. Schools may choose to but are not required to provide this training. The training in “hands only” CPR and in the use of automated external defibrillator (AED) may be met through a free video provided to schools courtesy of the Northwestern University Department of Emergency Medicine. The video has the endorsement of Illinois State Board of Education, the American Heart Association and other community health agencies.
Diabetes
- Insulin Administration Chart - Word Format
PDF Format
The insulin administration chart is provided to you as stated in PA 096-1485 - Care of Students with Diabetes Act, “A diabetes care plan shall include a uniform record of glucometer readings and insulin administered by the school nurse or delegated care aide during the school day using a standardized format provided by the State Board of Education.” The carbohydrate intake may be determined by any person trained in counting carbohydrates, including the child. - Public Act 93-0530—An explanation of PA 93-0530 Diabetes Risk Assessment
- Public Act 097-0819—Diabetes Awareness Day
- Diabetes Risk Assessment—A Memorandum from Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
and Department of Human Services (DHS) explaining the enforcement
of PA 93-0530 Diabetes Risk Assessment
- American Diabetes Association
- Diabetes Public Health Resource
- Interesting Diabetic Research
- Lilly Glucagon Training Kit – 1-800-545-5979
- Novo Nordisk Glucagon Training Kit – 1-800-727-06500
- Pediatric Diabetes Information
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes - There are lists of related child and adolescent health topics on this page.
- Type 2 Diabetes - Healthline: A comprehensive overview
Additional Diabetes Resources
Drugs
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Synthetic Drug Information:
Eye Health
Vision screening is required annually on all children in special education, children new to the district, and teacher/parent referrals. Vision screening is also required beginning at age 3 in all licensed daycare/preschool programs. Once a child begins school, vision screening is required in grades K, 2 and 8.
Health Examination and Immunization Forms
- Child Health Examination Form Español (2/13)
- DHS Questions and Answers Regarding School Health Record Issues (10/12)
Hearing
Hearing screening is required annually on all children in special education, children new to the district, and teacher/parent referrals. Hearing screening is also required beginning at age 3 in all licensed daycare/preschool programs. Once a child begins school, hearing screening is required at grades K, 1, 2 and 3.
Heat-Related Illness
Immunization
- New Tdap Vaccine Requirement
Beginning next school year, Fall of 2013, all students entering, transferring, or advancing into 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades will be required to show proof of receipt of one dose of Tdap vaccine (containing tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis). Most students may have already received the vaccine and simply need to provide the school with verifying documentation from the family health care provider. Please refer to the letter from State Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck for more information.
- DHS Questions and Answers Regarding School Health Record Issues (10/12)
- Guidelines Applicable to Medical and Religious Immunization Exemptions (2/10)
- IDPH and ISBE Letter to Parents Regarding Back to School Health Requirements (7/12)
- Immunization School Survey Results—2012-13 now available!
Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) Immunization Documents
Immunization Resources
Lead Screening
- Childhood Lead Poisoning
- Lead Questionnaire —The Childhood Lead Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Lead Poisoning Screening - includes High Risk Zip Codes (6/07)
- Lead
Questionnaire—Español
- High Risk Zip Codes—The Pediatric Lead Poisoning High Risk Zip
Code Areas for 2005 distributed by the IDPH
Oral Health
School Health Notices
- IDPH Memorandum: Herpes Gladiatorum in High School Wrestlers (1/13)
Students engaging in sports often have contact with other students, whether on the basketball court or the wrestling mat or volleyball court. Due to prolonged, skin to skin contact in wrestling, student wrestlers are at higher risk for diseases spread by contact. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has alerted us that a skin infection, herpes gladiatorum, has been tentatively identified in members of several high school wrestling teams throughout the state. Please review the guidance document from IDPH. - IDPH Memorandum: Legionella Testing in School District Water Supplies (11/12)
- Guidance for Prevention of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) Outbreaks in Daycare Facilities and Schools (Dec. 2012)
- Guidance for Schools about students exposed to SARS
- H1N1 Virus Resources
- IDPH Guidance for Schools: Students and Community Associated Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) Infections (Jan 2009)
School Health Resources
- School Health Topics A-Z
- Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan (12/12)
- Carrying Backpacks: Physical Effects (ISBE 6/06)
- Illinois Enhanced P.E. Strategic Plan
- Medication
Administration in Schools - Recommended Guidelines
- MRSA Infections
- Wind Chill and Heat Index Charts
Students should be encouraged to engage in physical activity year-round, including winter, when they are adequately protected from exposure to extreme weather. Attached is a chart, created by Iowa Department of Public Health and distributed nationally, which may help school districts decide when to limit outdoor play and other activities. The chart explains both wind chill and heat index and is based on information provided to Iowa DPH by the US National Weather Service. To be most useful, the chart, if printed, should be printed in color.
School Wellness Policy
Special Education and Mental Health
- Bullying Resources
- “Residential Treatment for Youth With Mental Health Needs: A Guide for Parents and Guardians”
- Comprehensive System of Learning Supports
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Guidance Related to Section 226.840, Special Education: Qualifications of Personnel to Conduct Medical Review
Section 226.840 of rules governing Special Education (23 Ill. Adm. 226.840; see http://www.isbe.net/rules/archive/pdfs/226ark.pdf, sets forth the qualifications of personnel who may conduct medical reviews, as follows:
Until June 30, 2013, School Service Personnel Certificate endorsed for school nursing (23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.245), or a license to practice medicine in all of its branches, or under Section 60 or 65 of the Nurse Practice Act [225 ILCS 65].
Beginning July 1, 2013, a School Service Personnel Certificate endorsed for school nursing (23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.245); or a license to practice medicine in all of its branches; or a bachelor’s degree or higher and a license issued under Article 60 or Article 65 of the Nurse Practice Act [225 ILCS 65/Art. 60 or Art. 65], provided that only a person holding a School Service Personnel Certificate endorsed for school nursing shall make recommendations regarding educational interventions, accommodations or modifications based on the findings of the student’s medical review.
This guidance document answers some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this rule to take effect July 1, 2013. It was developed in consultation with leaders in IAASE (Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education), IASN (Illinois Association of School Nurses), IPA (Illinois Principals Association) and IASA (Illinois Association of School Administrators).
Please direct additional questions regarding implementation of Rule 226 to Jessica Gerdes, Principal Consultant at ISBE for School Nurse and Health Issues.
State Laws/Statutes and Rules/Regulations
- Child Health Examination Code - IDPH Rules (77 IL Administrative Code 665)
- IDPH Laws and Administrative Rules
