Student Health

The Health Services Office at each campus is open to students daily Monday through Friday during regular school hours. After school hours, a message may be left for the School Nurse. You may also wish to visit the Health Services Office’s webpage, where you will find a variety of resources as well as access to student health-related forms.

The Health Services Office provides general health-related services for students during the school day, including emergency first aid, health assessment, vision and hearing screening, health record compliance, blood pressure monitoring, elevator keys, and physical education (PE) medical excuses.

Except in the case of an emergency or illness, students must have a timed pass from their current period teacher before coming to the Health Services Office. As a general rule, students may not rest in the Health Services Office for a full academic period. If a brief rest will help a student stay in school, a rest may be allowed, but only if the student has a pass from the current class teacher and is not missing a quiz, test, or presentation. Any student who is ill and unable to return to class cannot be released from school until a parent/guardian or alternate emergency contact is notified. For this reason, it is imperative that the school have telephone numbers that are current. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to update this information immediately in the event of any change.

Parents/guardians of a student with an identified health-related need (e.g., asthma, diabetes, migraines, seizure disorders, severe allergic reactions, or daily medication) must notify the Health Services Office prior to the student entering school.

Lyons Township High School Health Services: Webpage

South Campus Health Office: 708-579-6531/6532 Fax: 708-784-9574

North Campus Health Office: 708-579-6363/6364 Fax: 708-579-6002

 

 

LEGAL REF.:

105 ILCS 5/10-20.14b, 5/10-22.21b, 5/22-30, and 5/22-33.

105 ILCS 145/, Care of Students with Diabetes Act.

410 ILCS 130/, Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. 

720 ILCS 550/, Cannabis Control Act.

23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.540.

CROSS REF.: 7:285 (Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program) 

Adopted: February 20, 2024

In order to attend school, a student’s parent/guardian must submit proof of State-mandated health examination and immunizations prior to the first day of the school year. For additional information, please refer to Board Policy 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations, and Exclusion of Students.

A student’s parent/guardian must submit proof that the student received a health examination, with proof of the required immunizations, within one year prior to:

1. Entering the ninth grade; and
2. Enrolling in an Illinois school, regardless of the student's grade, including students transferring into Illinois from out-of-state or out-of-country).

Proof of immunization against meningococcal disease is required for students in grade 12.

Students may not attend school until proof of required health examination and immunizations are received and approved by the School Nurse.

Unless an exemption or extension applies, the failure to submit proof of the required health examination and immunizations by the first day of school of the school year will result in the student's exclusion from school until the required health forms are submitted. New students who register after the first day of school of the current school year have 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization requirement.

If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving a required immunization by the first day of school, the student must present an immunization schedule and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay. The schedule and statement of medical reasons must be signed by the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or local health department responsible for administering the immunizations.   New students who register after the first day of school of the current school year shall have 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization regulations.

A student transferring from out-of-state who does not have the required proof of immunizations by the first day of school may attend classes only if they have proof that an appointment for the required vaccinations is scheduled with a party authorized to submit proof of the required vaccinations. If the required proof of vaccination is not submitted within 30 days after the student is permitted to attend classes, the student may no longer attend classes until proof of the vaccinations is properly submitted.

 

Eye Examination

Parents/guardians are encouraged to have their children undergo an eye examination by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or a licensed optometrist whenever health examinations are required. Parents/guardians of students entering an Illinois school for the first time shall present proof before October 15 of the current school year that the student received an eye examination within one year prior to entry of the school. If a student’s parent/guardian fails to present the required proof by October 15, District 204 may hold the student’s report card until the student’s parent/guardian presents proof: (1) of a completed eye examination, or (2) that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15.

 

Dental Examination

Parents/guardians of students entering ninth grade must present proof of the student being examined by a licensed dentist before May 15 of the school year. If the student’s parent/guardian fails to present proof by May 15, District 204 may hold the student’s report card until the student’s parent/guardian presents proof: (1) of a completed dental examination, or (2) that a dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 15.

 

Exemptions

A student may be exempted from the health examinations and immunization requirements on religious or medical grounds as set forth in the Illinois School Code, Illinois Department of Public Health regulations, and Board Policy 7:100 Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations, and Exclusion of Students. For an exemption on religious grounds, the student's parent/guardian must present the IDPH's Certificate of Religious Exemption form to the Director of Deans. For an exemption on medical grounds, the student’s examining physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant provides written verification.

For the eye and dental examination requirements, if a student’s parent/guardian shows an undue burden or a lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or a licensed optometrist, or a licensed dentist, respectively, the parent/guardian may submit the IDPH waiver form to the School Nurse. The forms can be retrieved from the Health Service Office.

The notice also must inform parents/guardians of the availability of a waiver of this requirement for students who show an undue burden or a lack of access to a dentist. The Illinois Department of Public Health waiver form must be included with the notice.

 

Vision and Hearing Screenings

Vision and hearing screenings will be performed, as mandated, for the following students: teacher referral, transfer students, and students with individualized education plans. Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo the vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months.

Information on the flu vaccine and meningococcal vaccine is available on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) website: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/.

Each campus health office is staffed by a full-time certified school nurse and a Paraeducator. This office is responsible for maintaining student health records, providing basic first aid care to students and providing consultation to students and parents regarding health-related issues and concerns.

If the reason for a Health Office visit does not require emergency care, the student is to report to their class and get a pass from the teacher. The student will return the pass from the Health Office to the teacher upon return to the classroom. For student safety, students should not contact parent via text message or personal cell phone. Parents will be contacted as needed after the student has been assessed in the Health Office. Students with a fever of 100°F or greater or vomiting are sent home by the School Nurse after a parent/emergency contact is notified. It is important to note that a student who has been sick with a fever or vomiting must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school. The student may return the same day ONLY if the student is seen by a physician and brings a note to the health office staff.

Consistent with State law and Board Policy 7:270 Administering Medicines to Students, students should not take medication during school hours or during school-related activities unless it is necessary for a student’s health and well-being. When a student’s licensed health care provider and parent/guardian believe that it is necessary for the student to take a medication during school hours or school-related activities, the parent/guardian must request that the school dispense the medication to the child or authorize the student to self-administer the medication and otherwise follow the District’s procedures on dispensing or self-administering medication.

No District 204 employee shall administer to any student, or supervise a student’s self- administration of, any prescription or non-prescription medication until a completed and signed School Medication Authorization Form [available on the Health Services webpage] is submitted by the student’s parent/guardian. No student shall possess or consume any prescription or non-prescription medication on school grounds or at a school-related function other than as provided for in this policy and its implementing procedures. Tylenol (generic) tablets may be administered if OLR signature or a parent permission form is on file for the student in the health office. Information on medications, including Authorization, can be found on the Health Services page of the LTHS website.

Nothing in this policy shall prohibit any school employee from providing emergency assistance to students, including administering medication.

A student may possess an epinephrine auto-injector, e.g., EpiPen, and/or asthma medication prescribed for use at the student’s discretion, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a School Medication Authorization Form. The Superintendent or designee will ensure an Emergency Action Plan is developed for each self-administering student.

A student may self-administer medication required under a qualifying plan, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a School Medication Authorization Form [available in the Health Services section of your building webpage]. A qualifying plan means: (1) an asthma action plan, (2) an Individual Health Care Action Plan, (3) an Ill. Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan and Treatment Authorization Form, (4) a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or (5) a plan pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. A student may self-administer insulin or glucagon under a diabetes care plan.

The District shall incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from a student’s self-administration of medication or use of devices for the self-administration of medication, including asthma medication or epinephrine injectors, or medication or devices required under a qualifying plan or diabetes care plan. A student’s parent/guardian must indemnify and hold harmless the District and its employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim based on willful and wanton conduct, arising out of a student’s self-administration of an epinephrine auto-injector, asthma medication, and/or a medication required under a qualifying plan.

School District Supply of Undesignated Asthma Medication

The Superintendent or designee shall implement 105 ILCS 5/22-30(f) and maintain a supply of undesignated asthma medication in the name of the District and provide or administer them as necessary according to State law. Undesignated asthma medication means an asthma medication prescribed in the name of the District or one of its schools. A school nurse or trained personnel, as defined in State law, may administer an undesignated asthma medication to a person when they, in good faith, believe a person is having respiratory distress. Respiratory distress may be characterized as mild-to-moderate or severe. Each building administrator and/or his or her corresponding school nurse shall maintain the names of trained personnel who have received a statement of certification pursuant to State law.

 

School District Supply of Undesignated Epinephrine Injectors

The Superintendent or designee shall implement 105 ILCS 5/22-30(f) and maintain a supply of undesignated epinephrine injectors in the name of the District and provide or administer them as necessary according to State law. Undesignated epinephrine injector means an epinephrine injector prescribed in the name of the District or one of its schools. A school nurse or trained personnel, as defined in State law, may administer an undesignated epinephrine injector to a person when they, in good faith, believe a person is having an anaphylactic reaction. Each building administrator and/or his or her corresponding school nurse shall maintain the names of trained personnel who have received a statement of certification pursuant to State law.

 

School District Supply of Undesignated Opioid Antagonists

The Superintendent or designee shall implement 105 ILCS 5/22-30(f) and maintain a supply of undesignated opioid antagonists in the name of the District and provide or administer them as necessary according to State law. Opioid antagonist means a drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or inhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors, including, but not limited to, naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Undesignated opioid antagonist is not defined by the School Code; for purposes of this policy it means an opioid antagonist prescribed in the name of the District or one of its schools. A school nurse or trained personnel, as defined in State law, may administer an undesignated opioid antagonist to a person when they, in good faith, believe a person is having an opioid overdose. Each building administrator and/or his or her corresponding school nurse shall maintain the names of trained personnel who have received a statement of certification pursuant to State law. See the website for the Ill. Dept. of Human Services for information about opioid prevention, abuse, public awareness, and a toll-free number to provide information and referral services for persons with questions concerning substance abuse treatment.

 

School District Supply of Undesignated Glucagon

The Superintendent or designee shall implement 105 ILCS 145/27 and maintain a supply of undesignated glucagon in the name of the District in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

When a student’s prescribed glucagon is not available or has expired, a school nurse or delegated care aide may administer an undesignated glucagon only if they are authorized to do so by a student’s diabetes care plan.

 

Administration of Medical Cannabis

The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act allows a medical cannabis infused product to be administered to a student by one or more of the following individuals:

1. A parent/guardian of a student who is a minor who registers with the Ill. Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) as a designated caregiver to administer medical cannabis to their child. A designated caregiver may also be another individual other than the student’s parent/guardian. Any designated caregiver must be at least 21 years old and is allowed to administer a medical cannabis infused product to a child who is a student on the premises of his or her school or on his or her school bus if:
   1. Both the student and the designated caregiver possess valid registry identification cards issued by IDPH;
   2. Copies of the registry identification cards are provided to the District;
   3. That student’s parent/guardian completed, signed, and submitted a School Medication Authorization Form – Medical Cannabis; and
   4. After administering the product to the student, the designated caregiver immediately removes it from school premises or the school bus.
2. A properly trained school nurse or administrator, who shall be allowed to administer the medical cannabis infused product to the student on the premises of the child’s school, at a school-sponsored activity, or before/after normal school activities, including while the student is in before-school or after-school care on school-operated property while being transported on a school bus.
3. The student him or herself when the self-administration takes place under the direct supervision of a school nurse or administrator.

Medical cannabis infused products (product) includes oils, ointments, foods, and other products that contain usable cannabis but are not smoked or vaped. Smoking and/or vaping medical cannabis is prohibited.

The product may not be administered in a manner that, in the opinion of the District or school, would create a disruption to the educational environment or cause exposure of the product to other students. A school employee shall not be required to administer the product.

Discipline of a student for being administered a product by a designated caregiver, or by a school nurse or administrator, or who self-administers a product under the direct supervision of a school nurse or administrator pursuant to this policy is prohibited. The District may not deny a student attendance at a school solely because they require administration of the product during school hours.

 

Void Policy

The School District Supply of Undesignated Asthma Medication section of the policy is void whenever the Superintendent or designee is, for whatever reason, unable to: (1) obtain for the District a prescription for undesignated asthma medication from a physician or advanced practice nurse licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, or (2) fill the District’s prescription for undesignated school asthma medication.

The School District Supply of Undesignated Epinephrine Injectors section of the policy is void whenever the Superintendent or designee is, for whatever reason, unable to: (1) obtain for the District a prescription for undesignated epinephrine injectors from a physician or advanced practice nurse licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, or (2) fill the District’s prescription for undesignated school epinephrine injectors.

The School District Supply of Undesignated Opioid Antagonists section of the policy is void whenever the Superintendent or designee is, for whatever reason, unable to: (1) obtain for the District a prescription for opioid antagonists from a health care professional who has been delegated prescriptive authority for opioid antagonists in accordance with Section 5-23 of the Substance Use Disorder Act, or (2) fill the District’s prescription for undesignated school opioid antagonists.

The School District Supply of Undesignated Glucagon section of the policy is void whenever the Superintendent or designee is, for whatever reason, unable to: (1) obtain for the District a prescription for glucagon from a qualifying prescriber, or (2) fill the District’s prescription for undesignated school glucagon.

The Administration of Medical Cannabis section of the policy is void and the District reserves the right not to implement it if the District or school is in danger of losing federal funding.

 

Administration of Undesignated Medication

Upon any administration of an undesignated medication permitted by State law, the Superintendent or designee(s) must ensure all notifications required by State law and administrative procedures occur.

 

Undesignated Medication Disclaimers

Upon implementation of this policy, the protections from liability and hold harmless provision applicable under State law apply.

No one, including without limitation, parents/guardians of students, should rely on the District for the availability of undesignated medication. This policy does not guarantee the availability of undesignated medications. Students and their parents/guardians should consult their own physician regarding these medication(s).