From the District Nurses...
Physical, Dental, and Vision/Eye Exams
Illinois State law requires that prior to entering kindergarten and sixth grade, and those entering school for the first time and all students transferring from outside of the State of Illinois must present evidence of a completed physical examination and required immunizations. Students will be excluded from school if the physical exam has not been completed or if the required immunizations are not documented.
A dental examination is also mandated for students in kindergarten, second and sixth grade. Completed dental examination forms are due to your child's school by May 15th of the school year.
A vision/eye examination, performed by an optometrist or physician who provides complete eye examinations, is required for all children enrolling in kindergarten, and for students enrolling in Illinois schools for the first time.
Sports physicals are mandated by an Illinois statue which requires junior high students participating in the Southwest Interscholastic Conference (SWIC) team sports to have an annual physical examination. Students will be denied participation in any sport until proof of a current physical (expires 395 days from the date obtained) is on file with the school.
Vision and Hearing Screenings
State-mandated screenings for vision and hearing take place in the fall.
Religious ExemptionOn August 3, 2015, Public Act 099-0249 was enacted that changes the process for parents or legal guardians seeking a religious exemption to any required immunizations or examinations for their children. The new law requires that parents or legal guardians who object on religious grounds to complete a Certificate of Religious Exemption, which must also be signed by the physician, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant responsible for performing the student examination. The healthcare provider signature on this new form attests to informing the parent or legal guardian of the benefits of immunization and the health risks of not vaccinating the student. The certificate also requires the parent or guardian signature to attest to understanding that their child may be excluded from school in the case of a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or exposure. The Certificate of Religious Exemption form is available at
https://www.isbe.net/Documents/immun-exam-gdlns-religious-exempt.pdf. This form may not be used for exemptions from immunizations and/or examination for personal or philosophical reasons. Illinois law does not allow for such exemptions.
Use of the Certificate of Religious Exemption form is required beginning October 16th, 2015 for all students entering kindergarten, sixth or ninth grades when the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is requesting a religious exemption. This form also must be submitted to request religious exemption for any student enrolling to enter into any public, charter, private or parochial preschool, kindergarten, elementary or secondary school on or after October 16th, 2015. This effective date takes into account that most parents have already completed their child's physical exam/immunization requirements or submitted their religious objection letter for the 2015-16 school year and therefore, will not have to return to their physician to fill out the form for the Oct. 15 deadline.
