Health Information
Notes from the Nurse
It’s flu season again! The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all persons aged 6 months and older should be vaccinated annually. Other things that students can do to minimize their exposure and spread to other students include: regular handwashing; covering their mouth when coughing and sneezing; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth; and proper disposal of used tissues. According to our school handbook, students should not come to school for 24 hours after a fever of 100 degrees or greater, heavy coughing, vomiting, or diarrhea. For more information about the flu, go to www.cdc.gov/flu or call the Health Office.
With colder weather coming upon us, we are noticing that some students have been still arriving to school dressed in shorts, wearing flip flops, and without coats. Please double-check that you are dressed appropriately for the weather.
Thank you, and have a happy and healthy holiday season!
Pam Barron
MPH, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN
District Certified School Nurse
Notas de la Enfermera
La temporada de gripa está de nuevo con nosotros! El centro para el Control de enfermedades (CDC) recomienda que todas las personas de 6 meses de edad y mayores deban ser vacunados anualmente. Otras cosas que los estudiantes pueden hacer para minimizar su exposición y propagación a otros estudiantes incluyen: lavándose las manos regularmente; cubriendo su boca al toser y estornudar; evitar tocar ojos, nariz y boca; y eliminación adecuada de los pañuelos de papel usado. De acuerdo a nuestro manual de la escuela, los estudiantes no deben de venir a la escuela durante 24 horas después de una fiebre de 100 grados o más, tos fuerte, vómitos o diarrea. Para obtener más información acerca de la Influenza, visite www.cdc.gov/flu o llame a la Oficina de salud.
Con el clima frío viniendo a nosotros, estamos notando que algunos estudiantes han llegado todavía a la escuela vestido en pantalones cortos, luciendo chanclas y sin abrigos. Así que compruebe que estás vestida adecuadamente para el clima.
Muchas gracias y tenga un feliz y saludable temporada de fiestas!
Pam Barron
MPH, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN
Certificado de enfermera de la escuela
Health Information:
- When Your Child is Sick
- Reporting an Absence
- Health Requirements
- Allergy and Asthma Information
- Communicable Diseases
- Concussion Information
- Medication During School Hours
- Lice
When Your Child is Sick
When Your Child is Sick
For your child to return to school they need to:- Be free of fever (less than 100 degrees F) for at least 24 hours without use of medication.
- Have no vomiting for 24 hours after last occurrence, without use of medication, and the child is able to hold down fluids and food.
- Have no diarrhea for 24 hours after last occurrence, without use of medication.
- If diagnosed with pink eye or strep throat, the child must remain at home for 24 hours after treatment begins.
- Unidentified rashes should be seen by a doctor and determined to be non- contagious before returning to school.
Reporting an Absence
Reporting an Absence
When calling school to report your child’s absence, please communicate the following information:- Does your child have a flu-like illness defined as fever (100 degrees F or higher) and a cough and/or sore throat in the absence of a known cause other than the flu?
- If your child does not have flu-like symptoms, please communicate the symptoms that your child is experiencing.
- If your child has a contagious disease, such as strep, pink eye, pneumonia, etc. please state so when leaving the message. Thank you for your assistance and cooperation!
Health Requirements
Health Requirements
- 2019-20 Health Requirements Information
- 2018-19 Health Requirements Information
- 2018-19 Health Requirements Information - Spanish
- Childhood Immunizations: CDC Information for Parents
- Required Immunizations: DuPage Health Department Resources for Parents
- Required Immunizations for School: Illinois State Law
Allergy and Asthma Information
Communicable Diseases
Communicable Diseases
Influenza: October-May according to the CDC is considered “Flu Season”.
Prevention: Keep your child home when they are ill; advise your child to cover their cough/sneeze, encourage frequent hand washing, especially before meals. Make sure to get an annual flu shot. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated. Most insurance companies now cover flu shots, however, if you do not have coverage, contact the DuPage County Health Department at (630) 682-7400 for providers offering affordable flu vaccinations.
Signs and Symptoms:
- fever*
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
- sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Transmission: Flu virus is spread by respiratory droplets when someone who is ill is talking, sneezes or coughs. It can be contracted from close contact, or sharing utensils, and less often, from surfaces that are contaminated by droplets and then a person transfers these to their eyes, nose or mouth.
Resources:
General List of Common Childhood Illnesses from Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
Concussion Information
Medication During School Hours
Medication During School Hours
- Medication Authorization Form
Students requiring medications during school hours, please have physician complete the above form.
Lice
Lice
General Information:
- Parents should regularly check their children for evidence of head lice and provide immediate treatment if head lice are detected.
- If a child has evidence of head lice the school should be informed.
- Contact the school if you are not sure your child has head lice and you need an opinion. Active head lice should be treated with a pediculicide shampoo and combing.
- Following treatment or manual removal of head lice, the school nurse may check the child for live lice only with parental consent.