Health Services

Health Services is open for student use on days when school is in session; i.e. the academic school day.  Students must first report to their class for permission and a pass from the teacher.  Students do not need a pass if they have a free period. Exceptions; emergency care, mobility issues, accident or injury.  The student should give the return-to-class pass from the Health Service to the teacher upon returning to the classroom. 

Health Services Attendance:

Health Services will enter the proper attendance code in Infinite Campus for students who have been in the Health Services office 20 minutes or more and those who have been sent home through Health Services.  

Students who miss class because of illness during school hours or wish to leave campus due to illness must first report to Health Services. Students who fail to report to Health Services will be marked unauthorized (UNA) from the classes they do not attend and that UNA will not be reversed.

Illness During The Academic School Day:

Students feeling unwell should come to Health Services and the school nurse will assess the student and provide appropriate interventions. Students who are not feeling well should first come to health services to be evaluated by the nurse, before notifying their parent/guardian to come and pick them up. The parent/guardian will be notified directly by Health Services if the student needs to go home or is referred for medical evaluation. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to arrange to pick up, call the medical provider, or take their student for medical care.

Parent/guardians should not call Attendance about student illness during the school day. Instead, they should contact Health Services directly: HPHS 224.765.2200, DHS 224.632.3200. Health Services will enter the proper attendance code in Infinite Campus for students who have been in the Health Service 20 minutes or more and those who have been sent home through the Health Services.

Accidents or Injuries During The Academic School Day:

Any student injured during the school day will be assessed by the school nurse for appropriate intervention, emergency triage, care, and initiation of EMS. If EMS is activated, the school nurse or school administrator will notify the parent/guardian once the student’s care has been transferred to paramedics. Payment of EMS, hospital, and medical fees are the responsibility of the parent/guardian. The school nurse will complete the necessary reports.

Health Forms: 

All health forms are found on the Health Services page of the school website.

Permission to Administer Medication Form: 

Medication administered by the school nurse during the school day requires completion of this form for all medication, both prescription and non-prescription. The form must be completed annually and signed by parent/guardian and licensed prescriber. All medication must be brought to Health Services by parent/guardian, not the student. Students may not carry any medication, prescription, and non-prescription, during

the school day, except these 3 exceptions allowed in Illinois and by D113 Board policy:

• asthma rescue inhalers 
• epinephrine auto-injector
• medication prescribed for the treatment of diabetes

*See all Procedures for Administering Medication below.

Medical Action Plans: 

If your student has a documented medical diagnosis of seizures, diabetes, or food allergies the appropriate Medical Action Plan should be completed annually by the health provider and signed by the parent/guardian, then submitted to Health Services.

Physical Examinations and Immunizations

Certificate of Child Health Examination: 

Incoming freshmen and transfer students are required to have a physical examination dated within one year of entry to high school. Health forms including the school physical and immunization record must be on file in Health Services by the due date to avoid exclusion from school, athletics, and activities: incoming freshmen due date is May 2nd during 8th grade and transfer students of any grade due date is within 30 days of registration.

MCV4: Students entering 12th grade must show proof of meningococcal conjugate vaccination (MCV4). Two doses are required - unless the first dose was administered on or after 16 years of age, then only one is required

Pursuant to the Illinois School Code, current students who do not have required health forms and immunizations on file in Health Services by October 15 of the current school year are excluded from school, athletics, and activities​ until these forms are received by the school nurse. Immunization medical exemptions and religious objections require specific forms that are posted on the Health Services webpage.

If you object to the physical examination and /or immunizations for your child on the basis of religious beliefs, you must present to the school nurse the state-required form, completed and signed by the parent/guardian and primary care provider. The Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption to Required Immunizations and/or Examinations Form can be accessed at:

religious-exemption form

If the medical condition of the student is such that any one or more of the immunizing agents should not be administered, the examining primary care provider shall endorse that fact upon the health examination form.

Out-of-state transfer students must submit proof of physical examination and immunizations within 30 days of their registration date at their high school. Refer to Board Policy 7-100 for more information. 

All Illinois students upon first entry into an Illinois school are required to present proof of an eye examination performed by a licensed optometrist or medical doctor who performs eye examinations. The exam must be current or have been completed within the 12 months prior to October 15th of the current school year. The Illinois School Code permits the District to hold a student’s report card if this requirement is not met.  If you feel that your child is exempt from the vision examination requirements, please complete and return the Eye Examination Waiver form.

Illinois law (Child Health Examination Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 665) states all children entering the ninth grades of any public, private or parochial school shall have a dental examination. The examination must have taken place within 18 months prior to May 15 of the school year. A licensed dentist must complete the examination, sign and date this Proof of School Dental Examination Form. If you are unable to get this required examination for your child, fill out a separate Dental Examination Waiver Form. 

All health related forms are available in the Health Services office and on the Health Services webpage.

 https://www.dist113.org/domain/807

Administering Medication To Students
(Board Policy 7-270)

Students should not take medication during regular school hours or during school-related activities unless it is necessary for a student’s critical 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 medication during regular school hours or school-related activities, the parent/guardian must request that the school administer the medication to the child and otherwise follow the District’s procedures on administering medication. 

No School District 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 “Permission Form to Administer Medications” is submitted by the student’s parent/guardian. No student shall possess or ingest any prescription or non-prescription medication on school grounds during regular school hours or at a school-related function other than as provided for in this policy and its implementing procedures. 

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

The Building Principal shall include this policy in the Student Handbook and shall provide a copy to the parents/guardians of students. 

Procedures for Administering Medication

1. Only those medications necessary to maintain the student’s critical health and well-being will be administered during school hours or during school activities. 
2. All medications given to students must be prescribed by a licensed prescriber on an individual basis determined by the student’s health status. All approved orders for medication administration will be renewed each school year. 
3. A Township High School District 113 Permission Form to Administer Medication must be completed and signed by the student’s licensed prescriber and the parent/guardian in order for medication, non-prescription or prescription, to be given. Permission renewal is required each school year. Exception: Asthma inhalers must have the pharmacy label attached and parent/guardian written permission on file in the health service. With proper authorization: A student may possess an epinephrine auto-injector, an emergency rescue inhaler for asthma, and/or medication prescribed for the treatment of diabetes for immediate use at the student’s discretion. The School District and its employees and agents shall incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from the self-administration of medication or use of epinephrine auto-injector or the storage of the medication by school personnel. A student’s parent/guardian must indemnify and hold harmless the School District and its employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim based on willful and wanton conduct, arising from the self-administration of medication or use of an epinephrine auto-injector, or the storage of the medication by school personnel.
4.  The parent/guardian of the student must assume the responsibility of informing the school nurse in writing of any change in the student’s health. Change in medication administration will be through a revised order or other written authorization from the licensed prescriber as approved by the school nurse. 
5. The school nurse will review the written order and consult with the parent/guardian  or the licensed prescriber for additional information as necessary. The school nurse retains the discretion to deny requests for the administration of medication. This decision may be appealed to the building Assistant Principal or Principal. 
6. Medication must be brought to school by the parent/guardian in the original package or appropriately labeled container. This pertains to refills of medication also.
1. Prescription medication shall display:
• Student’s name
• Prescription number
• Medication name and dosage
• Administration route and/or other directions
• Date and refill
• Licensed prescriber’s name
• Pharmacy name, address & phone number
• Name or initials of pharmacist. Over-the-counter medication brought to school must have the manufacturer's original label with the ingredients listed and the student’s name affixed to the container. 
7. The school nurse or any registered nurse approved by the school district may administer medication under these guidelines. Any employee may administer medications in emergency situations if, under the circumstances, the school nurse or emergency medical personnel cannot be available in sufficient time and the student cannot reasonably self-administer the medication.
8. Parents/Guardians  may administer medication with the approval of the school nurse or the principal. 
9. Each dose of medication shall be documented in the student’s health record. The date, time, dosage, route and the signature of the person administering or supervising the student in self-administration must be documented. 
10. Medication will be kept in a locked cabinet. Medication requiring refrigeration will be kept in a secure place. Expired medication will be discarded. Any medication that is not picked up at the end of the school year by the parent/guardian will be discarded. 
11. The Health Service has a supply of acetaminophen and Ibuprofen available; however, only students who have filled out the proper Township High School District 113 “Permission Form to Administer Medication” will be eligible to have it administered.
12. The school nurse may administer an epinephrine auto-injector to any student with an unknown allergy having a first-time anaphylactic reaction, to a student with a known allergy who has forgotten their auto-injector or it is otherwise unavailable, or to a student with a known allergy. 
13. The District 113 “Permission Form to Administer Medication” is available in Health Services and on the District Website.

Students who do not follow the above procedure may be considered in violation of the District Drug and Alcohol Policy at Board Policy 7-190 or 5-50.

Self-Administration of Medication 

A student may possess an epinephrine auto-injector (i.e. EpiPen®), an emergency rescue inhaler for asthma, and/or medication prescribed for the treatment of diabetes for immediate use at the student’s discretion, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a “Permission Form to Administer Medications”. The School District and its employees and agents, shall incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from the self-administration of medication or use of epinephrine auto-injector or the storage of the medication by school personnel. A student’s parent/guardian must indemnify and hold harmless the School District and its employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim based on willful and wanton conduct, arising from the self-administration of a medication or use of an epinephrine auto-injector, or the storage of the medication by school personnel. 

School District Supply of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors 

The Superintendent or designee shall implement Section 22-30(f) of the School Code and maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors in the name of the District and provide or administer them as necessary according to State law. Upon implementation of this subsection and Section 22-30(f) of the School Code, the protections from liability and hold harmless provisions as explained in Section 22-30(c) of the School Code apply.  No one, including without limitations parents/guardians of students, should rely on the District for the availability of an epinephrine auto-injector. This policy does not guarantee the availability of an epinephrine auto-injector; students and their parents/guardians should consult their own physician regarding this medication. 

School District Supply of Undesignated Opioid Antagonists 

The Superintendent or designee shall implement Section 22-30(f) of the School Code 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 effect 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 their corresponding school nurse shall maintain the names of trained personnel who have received a statement of certification pursuant to State law. 

Void Policy; Disclaimer 

The School District Supply of Undesignated Epinephrine Auto-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 auto-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 auto-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 Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act, or (2) fill the District’s prescription for undesignated school opioid antagonists. 

Upon any administration of an undesignated epinephrine auto-injector or an opioid antagonist, the Superintendent or designee(s) must ensure all notifications required by State law and administrative procedures occur.  Upon implementation of this policy, the protections from liability and hold harmless provisions as explained in Section 22-30(c) of the School Code apply. 

No one, including without limitation parents/guardians of students, should rely on the District for the availability of an epinephrine auto-injector and/or opioid antagonist. This policy does not guarantee the availability of an epinephrine auto-injector and/or opioid antagonist; students and their parents/guardians should consult their own physician regarding such medication(s).

7-285 Anaphylaxis Prevention, Response, and Management Program