We can be contacted at 1900 East Kensington Road, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056  Phone: 847-297-4120, Fax: 847-297-4124

The health services staff deliver emergency care for illnesses and injuries within the school. For the most part, the students who come to see us are easily managed with some bandaids, ice and “TLC” and then return to the classroom without difficulty. Occasionally, an illness or injury will require that the student be sent home. The most common reasons for sending a student home are a fever of 100 or greater, vomiting, diarrhea or undiagnosed rashes. At first, parents/guardians would be called and if they are unreachable, the emergency numbers that families have provided to the school are called. Please, verify that the school has the most current and accurate telephone numbers on file for your child. (Be aware only those names on your emergency list will be allowed to take a sick student home.) A child returning to school after an illness, must be fever-free, diarrhea-free and have been able to hold food down for twenty-four hours.

v    Individualized Health Plans

For students with special health needs, the building nurse acts as a consultant and liaison between the family, school staff and physician in the creation and implementation of an individualized care plan. In order to accommodate the special health needs, confidential health information and recommendations are shared with staff on a need to know basis.

v    Health and Safety Consultation

The school health services staff provide health input and consultation for health and safety issues within the schools. Blood pressure and nutrition can be monitored as needed for staff and students. Per request health resources or referrals will be provided.

v    Health Protection

There are health requirements for the purpose of safeguarding the health of Illinois children. These are delineated in the School Code and enforced within the district. This consists of physical examinations performed by a licensed doctor and current immunizations. The required immunizations are diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DPT), polio (IPV), measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Haemophilus influenzae (Hib), Varicella (Chicken Pox) and hepatitis (HBV). These immunizations are scheduled according to health department recommendations and can obtained through a physician or the local clinic. Students who are not in compliance with the requirements will be excluded from school.

v    Communicable Disease Control

Communicable disease control within the schools is maintained by by thorough checking of the immunization schedules of all students. The management of communicable diseases is done according to the Illinois Department of Public Health mandates. Students who exhibit symptoms of communicable disease are excluded from school until a physician indicates they are not infectious. A weekly report of communicable diseases is provided to the Illinois Department of Health.

v    Vision and Hearing Screening Programs

A vision and hearing screening program is in place within the district according to the Illinois Department of Health and District guidelines. Annual vision screenings are done on all Kindergarten, 2nd, 5th, 8th, special ed., and new students. Annual hearing screening are done on all Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, special ed., and new students. Students who are identified through this screening are referred for medical follow-up. Parents/guardians and staff who have concerns regarding the vision or hearing of a student who is not in one of these groups are encouraged to call the health services at any time and request a screening.

 v    Medication Administration

Although the district discourages the administration of medication to students during school hours unless absolutely necessary for the well-being of the student, we recognize there are times when medication must be given during a school day. The policy of River Trails School District 26, in accordance with the Illinois Department Human Services and the Illinois State Board of Education recommended guidelines is as follows:

ü     Medication (including any over-the-counter medication) to be administered at school must be prescribed by a licensed physician, dentist or podiatrist.

ü     All medication must be in the original container and have an appropriate label.

ü     The administration of medication to a student while at school is discouraged unless it is absolutely necessary for the student’s academic participation.

ü     Medication will be administered under the supervision of the registered nurse.

ü     Long-term medication requires annual renewal orders.

A Medication/Treatment Order form from the physician and Parental Request form must accompany the medication. These forms are available at each of the schools.

For safety purposes with the exception of some asthma medications, students are not allowed to have medications on their person within the school properties. All medication must be kept in the health office.

v    Dental Health

Dental health is recognized as an essential component of good health for a child.  Beginning in the 2005-06 school year, dental exams are required for students entering kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grades.

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