Nursing
Health Guidelines
We have outlined some guidelines to ensure our students receive the best possible health services at school:
1. Daily Health Checks: Please observe your child for any signs of illness each morning. If your child exhibits symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, rash, pain, unusual pallor, dizziness, fatigue, or pink eye, keep them at home. They should be symptom-free for 24 hours, without medication, before returning to school.
2. Reporting Absences: Notify the school immediately if your child will be absent for any reason. A new state law mandates that we must contact you if your child is absent without prior notification.
3. Physical Education Excuse: If your child needs to be excused from physical education classes, a note from a healthcare provider licensed under the Medical Practice Act is required.
4. Doctor's Note For Specific Conditions: A doctor's note is necessary when your child returns to school after recovering from illnesses such as measles, rubella, strep throat, scarlet fever, hepatitis, or any other serious or long-term condition. The note should specify any necessary restrictions and their duration. This also applies if your child returns with a cast, sling, crutches, or a rash. For rashes, the note must confirm that the condition is not contagious.
5. Medication At School: Contact the school nurse for guidance on administering medication during school hours. A physician must complete a request form, and written permissions is required for all medications, including over-the-counter items like cough drops.
Health Examination Requirements
To ensure your child's compliance with state health requirements, they must meet all medical criteria before being admitted to school. This policy is strictly enforced. Below are the specifics for each applicable grade:
Procedures For Medication In School
General Guidelines: Only medications prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider, necessary for a student's health and well-being, will be administered during school hours. Administration of any prescription or non-prescription medication requires yearly written orders from a healthcare professional, coupled with written permission from a parent/guardian. The school district is not responsible for administering medications that can be given outside of school hours.
Self-Administration & On-Site Parent Administration: Students are not permitted to self-administer medications unless a signed "School Medication Authorization Form" is on file, which is limited to epinephrine auto-injectors (Epi-Pens) or medications for acute asthma symptoms. If medication must be administered during school hours for short-term needs, parents/guardians may administer these medications on school property.
Storage & Emergency Procedures: All medications must be stored in the original, labeled prescription container provided by the dispensing pharmacy. Additional doses of emergency medications like Epi-Pens or asthma medications should be stored in the school office for emergency use. Medications found with a student, other than those permitted for self-carry, will be taken to the nurse's office and must be collected by a parent/guardian.
Policy Modifications & Responsibilities: The school district retains the right to refuse or discontinue the administration of any medication if complications arise. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to promptly notify the school district of any changes in the medication, with updated written physician orders required for any alterations to the medication plan. All medications must be personally delivered and counted by a parent/guardian in the presence of school nursing staff. Parents are responsible for timely refills.
End Of Year Procedures: Parents/guardians must collect any unused medications at the end of the school year or upon student transfer. Medications not picked up by the end of the school year will be disposed of by the school.
**This policy ensures that medication administration during school hours is handled safely and responsibly, in accordance with health regulations and school district guidelines.**
Head Lice
Required Action For Confirmed Cases:
When a case of head lice is confirmed in a student, parents are required to:
1. Treat the infestation promptly using approved lice treatment products.
2. Complete and return a checklist provided by the school, confirming that treatment has been administered.
Head lice infestations are a common issue in schools worldwide, affecting children between the ages of 3-11 most frequently. Each year, an estimated 6-12 million children in the United States experience head lice. This concern transcends all socioeconomic and geographic boundaries. It is important to understand that head lice are not a health hazard or a sign of poor hygiene and cannot transmit diseases.
Lice move by crawling; they cannot jump or fly. Transmission occurs through direct contact with an infested person or through shared use of personal items like combs, hats, towels, or bedding.
At Cicero District 99, we recognize the significant impact that missed school days have on student learning and family dynamics. Therefore, we do not enforce a "no live lice" or "no nit" policy that would exclude students from school for lice infestations. Such policies lead to unnecessary absences, affecting students' emotional, social, and academic well-being.
This approach ensures that children can continue their education with minimal disruption while addressing the issue effectively. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in managing these situations with sensitivity and attention to the well-being of all students.
Measles
Symptoms:
High fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes
Rash of tiny red spots starting on the head and spreading to the rest of the body.
Diarrhea and ear infections may also occur.
Understanding Measles: Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus, potentially severe, affecting primarily the lungs and breathing tubes. It is characterized by a rash and high fever and, in rare cases, can be fatal.
Transmission: The virus spreads through the air by infectious droplets from a person's breath, cough, or sneeze. Being in the same room as someone with measles can lead to infection up to two hours after the person has left. The measles virus can be contracted from an individual before they even show the characteristic rash. Without the MMR vaccine, exposure to the virus will likely lead to infection.
MMR Vaccine: Two does of the MMR vaccine are crucial for children to protect against, measles, mumps, and rubella. The first dose is administered at 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years of age. For international travel, infants 6 to 11 months old should receive one dose of the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is safe and has been extensively studied, with no credible link found to autism. Side effects are typically mild, such as soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or rash. Severe side effects are extremely rare.
Recommended Actions: Follow the vaccine schedule recommended by the CDC and pediatric associations. Prepare for your child's vaccine visit by researching, comforting them during the appointment, and caring for them afterward.
Type 1 Diabetes
Symptoms:
Increased thirst: Your child may drink more water than usual.
Frequent urination: Your child may need to go to the bathroom more often.
Extreme hunger: Your child might still feel very hungry even after eating.
Unexplained weight loss: Your child might lose weight without trying.
Fatigue: Your child may feel tired or weak.
Blurred vision: Your child's vision might become unclear.
More Resources:
Diabetes Research, Edu, Advocacy
Care Of Students W/ Diabetes Act
CDC Managing Health Conditions
Find Help: Connect To Social Care
Healthy Children Immunizations
What is it? Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body does not produce insulin, a hormone that helps change sugar (glucose) from food into energy. This life-threatening condition causes high levels of sugar in the blood. Without insulin, glucose gets "stuck" in the bloodstream and the body cannot use it for energy. Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes, is the most common type of diabetes diagnosed in children and young adults under 20 years of age, which is why parents and guardians need to know how to support their children.
How is it managed? Managing type 1 diabetes might seem overwhelming at first, but you will get the hang of it. It is important to balance food, medicine, and exercise. Children with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily through injections or an insulin pump. This helps control blood sugar levels. If you feel you cannot afford insulin, ask your child's health care provider about programs available through the state of Illinois and drug companies that can make it more affordable. Regularly checking blood sugar levels is important. This helps determine how much insulin is needed and keeps blood sugar within a healthy range. Your child's health care provider can teach you and your child how to do this. Offer meals and snacks that fit your child's meal plan. A balanced diet is essential to help manage blood sugar. It should focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and limited sugary snacks and drinks. Talk with your health care provider if you cannot consistently provide your child with these healthy eating options. They may be able to connect you with resources. Encourage your child to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days. Exercise can help lower blood sugar levels and improve overall health. Children with diabetes should have all recommended vaccinations, including a flu shot every year, to prevent serious infections. Children with diabetes are more likely to get sicker from an infectious disease and take longer to recover from an infection than children without diabetes.
Supporting Your Child: As a parent or guardian, your support is vital. Teach your child about type 1 diabetes and why the must manage it. Understanding their condition helps them feel more in control. Consider enrolling them in a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program and attending yourself when possible. You can find an accredited DSMES program through the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. Motivate your child to eat healthy and exercise. Be a role model by making healthy choices as a family. The American Diabetes Association, provides budget-friendly recipes and cooking tutorials. Talk about diabetes openly. Encourage your child to express how they feel about their condition and any challenges they face.
Managing Diabetes At School: It is important to partner with your child's school to ensure they have a good experience and get the support they need. The CDC has published suggestions for how to most effectively work with your child's school. Schools are required to have a care plan for students with diabetes (or other chronic health conditions). The plan outlines specific services, accommodations, and supports tailored to the student's needs. If your child's school employs a nurse, you will want to work with them to plan a supportive way to help manage your child's health during the school day. They can help administer insulin and monitor your child's health during school hours.
D99 Lead Nurse: Adela Plaku
Burnham Nurse: Analisa Guerrero
Cicero East Nurse: Yeilin Sanchez
Cicero West Nurse: Stephanie Cordero
Columbus East Nurse: Ruth Armenta
Columbus West Nurse: Lara Petrone
Drexel Nurse: Bella Ramos
EC Center Nurse: Clara Bruno
Goodwin Nurse: Marisol Napolitano
Liberty Nurse: Mary McFall
Lincoln Nurse: Stephanie Colson
Lincoln Nurse: Melissa Ortiz-Vondra
Roosevelt Nurse: Julissa Rodriguez
Sherlock Nurse: Gaby Cuevas
Unity East Nurse: Susie Hernandez
Unity East Nurse: Jorge Rodriguez
Unity West Nurse: Marisol Armenta
Unity West Nurse: Millie Castillo
Warren Park Nurse: Ashley Lomax
Wilson Nurse: Kathy Lang