Policy 7:100
Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations; Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students
Required Health Examinations and Immunizations
A student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) shall present proof that the student received a health
examination and 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;
- Entering the sixth grades; and
- Enrolling in an Illinois school, regardless of the student’s grade (including
nursery school, special education, headstart programs operated by elementary
or secondary schools, and students transferring into Illinois from out-of-state or
out-of-country).
Proof of immunization against meningococcal disease is required for students entering
grade 6.
As required by State law:
- The required health examinations must be performed by a physician licensed to
practice medicine in all of its branches, an advanced practice nurse who has a
written collaborative agreement with a collaborating physician authorizing the
advanced practice nurse to perform health examinations, 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.
- Before admission and in conjunction with required physical examinations,
parents/guardians of children between the ages of one and seven years must
provide a statement from a physican that their child was “risk-assessed” or
screened for lead poisoning.
- The Department of Public Health will provide all female students entering sixth
grade and their parents/guardians information about the link between human
papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer and availability of the HPV vaccine.
Unless an exemption or extention 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, inlcuding new
students who transfer from out-of-state, shall have 30 calendar days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization regulations. If a
medical reason prevents a student from receiving a 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.
Eye Examination
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: (1) of a completed eye examination, or (2)
that an eye examination will take place within 60 calendar days after October 15. The
Superintendent or designee shall ensure that parents/guardians are notified of this eye
examination requirement in compliance with the rules of the Department of Public
Health. Schools shall not exclude a student from attending school due to failure to
obtain an eye examination.
Dental Examination
All children in kindergarten and the second and sixth 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 or sixth grade fails to present proof by May 15 of the current
school year, the school may hold the child’s report card until the child presents proof:
(1) of a completed dental examination, or (2) that a dental examination will take place
within 60 calendar days after May 15. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that
parents/guardians are notified of this dental examination requirement at least 60
calendar days before May 15 of each school year.
Exemptions
In accordance with rules adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health, a student
will be exempted from this policy’s requirements on:
- Religious or medical grounds if the student’s parent/guardians present to the
Superintendent the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Certificate of
Religious Exemption form. When a Certificate of Religious Exemption form is
presented, the Superintendent or designee shall immediately inform the
parents/guardians of exclusion procedures pursuant to Board Policy 7:280
Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease and State rules if there is an
outbreak of one or more diseases from which the student is not protected.
- Health examination or immunization requirements on medical grounds if a
physician provides written verification, or
- 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
- The dental examination requirement if the student’s parents/guardians show an
undue burden or lack of access to a dentist.
Homeless Child
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. Board Policy 6:140, Education of Homeless Children, governs the
enrollment of homeless children.
Adopted: November 10, 1997
Revised: October 20, 2008; January 23, 2017