North Greene Unit District No. 3                                                                                           7:100-E

-PRESS RELEASE-

STUDENT REQUIRED HEALTH, EYE AND DENTAL EXAMS; IMMUNIZATIONS

DUE BY OCTOBER 15, 2022

North Greene Unit District No. 3 announces that a student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) shall present proof that a student received a health examination, with proof of the immunizations against, and screenings for, preventable communicable diseases, as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health, within one year prior to entering kindergarten or the first grade; upon entering the sixth grade and ninth grades; and whenever a student first enrolls in school within the District, regardless of the student’s grade (including nursery school, special education, Head Start programs, and students transferring into Illinois from out-of-state or out-of- country.

Proof of immunization against meningococcal disease is required from students in grades 6 and 12.

As required by State law:  health examinations must be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, an advanced practice nurse, or a physician assistant who has been delegated the performance of health examinations by a supervising physician. A diabetes screening must be included as a required part of each health examination; diabetes testing is not required;

A diabetes screening is a required part of each health examination; diabetes testing is not required.

An age-appropriate developmental screening and an age-appropriate social and emotional screening are required parts of each health examination.  A student will not be excluded from school due to a parent/guardian’s failure to obtain a developmental screening or a social and emotional screening.

Before admission and in conjunction with required physical examinations, parents/guardians of children between the ages of one and 7 years must provide a statement from a physician that their child was “risk-assessed” or screened for lead poisoning.

The Department of Public Health will provide all students entering sixth grade and their parents/guardians information about the link between human papilloma virus (HPV) and HPV-related cancers and the availability of the HPV vaccine.  The District will provide information regarding influenza, influenza vaccinations, meningococcal disease, and meningococcal vaccinations developed, provided, or approved by the IDPH when it provides information on immunizations, infectious diseases, medications or other school health issues to students’ parents/guardians.

Unless an exemption or extension applies, the failure to comply with the above requirements by October 15 of the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the District. New students who register after October 15 of the current school year shall have 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization regulations.  If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving required immunization by October 15, the student must present, by October 15, 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 nurse, physician assistant, or local health department responsible for administering the immunizations.

A student transferring from out-of-state who does not have the required proof of immunizations by October 15, may attend classes only if he or she has 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.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to have their children undergo an eye examination whenever health examinations are required.

Parents/guardians of students entering kindergarten or 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 kindergarten or the school.  A physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or a licensed optometrist must perform the required eye examination.

If a student fails to present proof by October 15, the school may hold the student’s report card until the student presents proof of a completed eye examination, or that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15. 

In addition, all children in kindergarten and the second,  sixth, and ninth grades must present proof of having been examined by a licensed dentist before May 15 of the current school year in accordance with rules adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

If a child in the second, sixth, or ninth grade fails to present proof by May 15, the school may hold the child’s report card until the child presents proof of a completed dental examination; or that a dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 15. 

A student may be exempted from this policy’s requirements on religious or medical grounds if the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) present to the Superintendent a signed statement explaining the objection.  A student may be exempted from health examination or immunizations on medical grounds if a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant provides written verification. A student may be exempted from the eye examination requirement if the student’s parents/guardians show an undue burden or lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or a licensed optometrist or dental examination requirement if the student’s parents/guardians show an undue burden or a lack of access to a dentist.

Any homeless child shall be immediately admitted, even if the child or child’s parent/guardian is unable to produce immunization and health records normally required for enrollment. 

The school year for students will begin on August 17, 2022.  Parents/guardians are encouraged to assure that the health, eye, dental examinations as well as immunizations required are completed before the stated deadlines. If anyone would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact the various school buildings or the Unit Office.

 

 

08/2022