Health & Safety Protocols

If your student has a life-threatening allergy or life-threatening chronic illness, please notify your building principal and school nurse.   

State law requires our school district to annually inform parents of students with life-threatening allergies or life-threatening chronic illnesses of the applicable provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable federal statutes, state statutes, federal regulations, and state rules.  

Federal law protects students from discrimination due to a disability substantially limiting a significant life activity. If your student has a qualifying disability, an individualized Section 504 Plan will be developed and implemented to provide the needed supports so that your student can access their education as effectively as students without disabilities.  

Not all students with life-threatening allergies and life-threatening chronic illnesses may be eligible under Section 504. Our school district may also be able to meet a student's needs through other means appropriately.

District 63 observes Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommendations regarding communicable diseases. This communicable disease chart outlines the more common diseases, their symptoms, and the exclusion period for your child. 

1. Parents are required to notify the school nurse if they suspect their child has a communicable disease. 
2. In some instances, students with a communicable disease may be excluded from school or sent home following the notification of parents or guardians.
3. The school will provide written instructions to the parent/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/guardian brings a letter from the student’s doctor stating that the student is no longer contagious or at risk of spreading the communicable disease.

We are mandated to report the occurrence of some of these diseases to IDPH. In some cases, proof of treatment may be required to return to school. Children who are not completely immunized for a childhood disease may be excluded from school in the event of an outbreak of that disease. If your child develops any communicable disease - including COVID, chickenpox, strep throat, scarlet fever, mumps, whooping cough, tuberculosis, or measles - immediately notify the school nurse.

Adequate vision and hearing are paramount to educational performance. Impaired vision and/or hearing in children can seriously impede learning and contribute to the development of academic, emotional, and behavioral problems. Early discovery and treatment can prevent or alleviate many of these problems.

Hearing loss can happen anytime during life (from before birth to adulthood). There are many causes of hearing loss, including genetics, infections, noise, aging, trauma, and some medications. Hearing loss seriously affects a child’s ability to communicate because it interferes with normal language development and learning. It may affect a child’s ability to develop normal speech and isolate them from everyday surroundings, including parents, other family members, and playmates.

Vision loss can also happen anytime during life. Babies can be born unable to see, and vision loss can occur anytime during a person’s life. Vision loss can be caused by damage to the eye itself, the eye being misshaped, or even by a problem in the brain. In the United States, the most prevalent disabling childhood conditions are vision disorders, including amblyopia, strabismus, and significant refractive errors. Early detection increases the likelihood of effective treatment.

Children experiencing hearing or vision loss often are unaware they do not hear or see as they should. For this reason, it is up to the adults responsible for the child’s health care and educational process to identify those children with hearing or vision problems and ensure they receive the appropriate follow-up care.

Vision and Hearing Screening - To prevent the detrimental effects of hearing and vision loss in children, the Illinois Department of Public Health implemented the Illinois Child Vision and Hearing Test Act (410 ILCS 205/), which mandates vision and hearing screening programs for preschool and school-age children. Screenings are required at specific age and grade levels and must be done by technicians/nurses trained and certified by the Department. These screenings result in approximately one million children screened annually for both vision and hearing.

Vision and Hearing Screening Mandates - Hearing screening must be provided annually for preschool children three years of age or older in any public or private educational program or licensed childcare facility and for all school-age children in grades kindergarten, first, second, and third; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher, or are transfer students. These screening services are provided in all public, private, and parochial schools. Instead of the screening services required, a completed and signed report form indicating the child had an ear examination by a physician and an audiological evaluation conducted by an audiologist within the previous 12 months is acceptable.

Vision screening must be provided annually for preschool children three years of age or older in any public or private educational program or licensed childcare facility and for school-age children in kindergarten, second, and eighth grades; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher, or are transfer students. Such screening services are provided in all public, private, and parochial schools. Instead of the screening services required, a completed and signed report form indicating that an eye examination by a doctor specializing in diseases of the eye or a licensed optometrist has been administered within the previous 12 months is acceptable.

A student's parent or legal guardian may object to hearing or vision screening tests for their children on religious grounds. If a religious objection is made, a written and signed statement from the parent or legal guardian detailing such objections must be presented to the local school authority.

Screening Personnel -  Mandated screening services must be provided by vision and hearing screening technicians trained and certified by the Department. Candidates must meet the prerequisite requirements to apply and be considered for training. To become certified, eligible candidates are required to attend and pass hearing and vision training courses conducted by the Department. 

Sick children should stay home until they have recovered and are no longer contagious. If your child has:

• Fever: Usually a sign of a viral or bacterial infection. Children with a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher should be kept home for at least 24 hours after they are fever-free. Children with a fever greater than 100.4 degrees F will be sent home from school. This child will be excluded from school for 24 hours after s/he is fever-free. 
• Vomiting or diarrhea: A child should be kept home until s/he has not vomited or had diarrhea for 24 hours. Don't hesitate to get in touch with a physician if your child appears dehydrated or has not been able to eat or drink for 24 hours. Children with vomiting or diarrhea will be sent home from school pending an assessment by the Certified School Nurse or Registered Nurse in your child's building.  
• Rashes: Many childhood illnesses, allergies, and infections show up with a rash. Children who come to school with a rash may be sent home unless accompanied by a note from a healthcare provider, MD, or APN, stating that the rash is not contagious. This is part of the IDPH guidelines for schools.
• Children should bring a physician's note for return to school after any serious injury, accident, illness, hospitalization, rashes, infectious diseases, or eye infections.

Activity Restrictions - Students may have a written parent request to be excused from any activity for three days, given a reasonable request. After that time, a written note from a physician will be required. Children with casts, splints, or stitches may not participate in physical education activities or recess. Written clearance from a physician must be provided to return to these activities. Students who cannot participate in gym will also be restricted from participating in recess.
Homebound Students - Children who have had an injury or illness that will result in an absence of 10 or more consecutive days should contact the School Nurse for information regarding homebound tutoring.