Flu Newsletter:
October 5, 2009
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As we enter the flu season, we would like to provide you with some information regarding the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus. Listed below you will find the names and websites of agencies that have information available on seasonal flu and H1N1 virus. We encourage you to consult these websites regarding precautions, symptoms, and what to do if you or a family member becomes ill.
Illinois Department of Public Health www.idph.state.il.us
Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov
Flu.gov www.flu.gov
McDonough County Health Department www.mchdept.com
We have reviewed the guidelines and protocols from these agencies and have implemented procedures to reduce the spread of flu in the school setting. These include:
Wiping doorknobs with disinfectant 2-3 times a day.
Wiping desktops and tables with disinfectant daily.
Disinfecting sinks and water fountains daily.
Sending ill students and staff home. They are to remain home until 24 hours after symptoms (fever, vomiting, diarrhea) have cleared and medication is no longer needed.
Addressing a bus cleaning schedule.
Encourage good hygiene habits:
Cough or sneeze in a tissue or your elbow.
Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds.
The health and well-being of our students and staff is important to us. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Kristina White, RN
HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2009-2010
FROM THE DESK OF KRISTI WHITE
PLEASE NOTE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE!
HEALTH RECORD REQUIREMENTS
The Illinois State Board of Education has recently sent clarification of some changes to the health record requirement for students. Below is a brief explanation of the changes along with requirements for students. Please note that if we are lacking information to complete your child's health record, you will receive a letter in the mail informing you of the needed items for your child to be in compliance with state regulations. Please make appointments early, as doctor office appointments fill up fast during the summer. All health records, with the exception of the dental examination are due by October 15, 2009. The dental examination is due May 15, 2010.
Illinois law requires a physical examination for all students upon first entering school, kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade. The School Code also requires that students be immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella and have certain booster shots. In addition, hepatitis B series is required for students in preschool and fifth through twelfth grades. Preschool aged students are required to provide proof the HIB vaccine. Preschool through 5th grades are also required to have the chicken pox vaccine or a statement that the student has had chicken pox. Students in grades kindergarten, second and sixth are required to have a dental examination. Public Act 95-0422 effective August 24, 2007, revised the school code to require a physical examination before entering the sixth grade instead of fifth grade. Public Act 95-671 effective January 1, 2008, requires that all children enrolling in kindergarten or enrolling for the first time in school shall have an eye examination by a physician licensed to provide eye exams or an optometrist. Parents may waive this exam if there is undue burden or lack of access to a physician or optometrist. If you have any questions regarding these requirements or changes, please feel free to contact the school. Students needing any of the above requirements will be receiving notification in the mail shortly.
Sincerely,
Kristi White
OVERVIEW
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
Entering Preschool
Kindergarten
6th Grade
9th Grade
IMMUNIZATIONS:
DPT/TD - Minimum of 4 DPT's (3 for PreK), with the last one a booster on or after the 4th birthday. A Td booster is required every 10 years.
POLIO - Minimum of 3 with the last one a booster on or after 4th birthday.
MMR - PreK - one required on or after 15 months of age. K-12 - one on or after15 months and asecon one at least one month after the first.
Hep B - required for PreK and grades 5-12. This is a 3 shot series with at least 4 months between the first and third vaccine.
HIB - required for PreK only.
CHICKEN POX - minimum of one vaccine on or after 12 months of age, or proof of having the chicken pox. Required for grades K-6th.
DENTAL EXAMINATIONS:
Exam or Waiver required for: Kindergarten, Second, Sixth - Due by May 15, 2010.
VISION EXAMINATIONS:
Exam or Waiver required for: Kindergarten - Due Octover 15, 2009.
VISION AND HEARING SCREENING:
Screenings are conducted on all elementary students (usually in January/February). PLEASE NOTE: vistion screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Not required if your eye doctor has completed and signed a reprot form indication exam has been completed within the previous 12 months.
SICK/ILL STUDENTS:
Students with temperatures of 99.6 F will be sent home. Students that have had a fever, have been vomitting or have had diarrhea need to stay home from school at least 24 hours after they have been free of fever, vomitting or diarrhea.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION:
School staff members are not allowed to administer medications to students unless we have a doctor's note on file. These notes need to be updated at the beginning of each school year.
ALLERGY/FOOD INTOLERANCE:
Cafeteria staff needs to be notified of food allergies/intolerance. We are only able to substitute for food allergies if we have a form on file from the student's health care provider. These notes need to be updated at the beginning of each school year and throughout the year as allergies/intolerance change.
HEAD LICE:
All elementary students are checked for head lice the first week of school and after extended school vacations. Classes are also checked on an as needed basis when cases of lice are reported throughout the year. Board policy requires that students found to have nits or live lice will be sent home for treatment and must be rechecked before returning to class.
LINKS TO HEALTH INFORMATION
McDonough County Health Department
505 E. Jackson
Macomb, IL 61455
309-837-9951
E-Mail