- What are the health requirements for children in Illinois and for what grades?
- Where can I get all of these forms that are needed for these exams?
- How do I know if my child is too sick to stay home from school?
- My child has a medical condition-should I let the nurse know about it?
- My child needs to take medicine while at school. How do I arrange this?
What are the health requirements for children in Illinois and for what grades?
Preschool and Early Childhood program: Physical examination completed within
the last year, on an IDPH
form, with proof of required immunizations. This must be submitted before the
first day of school.
Kindergarten: Physical examination completed within the last year, on an IDPH
form, with proof of required immunizations. This must be submitted before the
first day of school.
Kindergarten: Eye examination completed by an eye doctor, on an IDPH form and
submitted by October 15, 2009.
Kindergarten: Dental examination completed by a dentist, on an IDPH form and
submitted by May 15, 2010.
Second Grade: A dental examination completed by a dentist, on an IDPH form and
submitted by May 15, 2010.
Sixth Grade: A physical examination completed within the last year on an IDPH
form, with proof of required immunizations. This must be submitted before the
first day of school.
Sixth Grade: A dental examination completed by a dentist, on an IDPH form must
be submitted by May 15th 2010.
Students new to the district:
Need a physical examination completed within the last year, on an IDPH
form, with proof of required immunizations. This must be submitted before the
first day of school. If the student is transferring from an Illinois school,
the physical still must be submitted before the first day of school along with
proof of immunizations. We suggest parents obtain copies of their child's
physicals from their previous school or obtain a copy from their health care
provider.
If the student is coming from out of state, a physical completed with in the
last year, on an IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) form with
immunizations per Illinois school code.
An eye examination is also required by October 15th.
Sports Participants: RMS students must have a CURRENT sports physical on file
in order to TRYOUT FOR A SPORT. There are no exceptions. Sports physicals
are only valid for one year; if a physical expires during the season, the
student must submit proof of having an updated physical in order to remain
eligible to participate in that sport.
Where can I get all of these forms that are needed for these exams?
All forms can be downloaded from the Forms page of this website. They can
also be obtained from your school nurse or health care provider.
How do I know if my child is too sick to stay home from school?
Should I keep my child home or send him or her to school?
Consider keeping your child home if he or she:
• Has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
• Has been vomiting
• Has symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as:
− Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite
− Productive coughing, sneezing
− Headache, body aches, earache
− Sore throat
A minor sore throat is usually not a problem, but a severe sore throat could
be strep throat even if there is
no fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache and stomach
upset. Contact your
pediatrician as your child needs a special test to determine if it is strep
throat.
Keep your child home until his or her fever has been gone for 24 hours without
medication. Colds
can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Returning to school too soon may slow
the recovery process and
expose others unnecessarily to illness.
Does my child have the flu?
• The flu is serious! Call your pediatrician at the first sign of flu
symptoms, which typically come on
suddenly, including:
− High fever
− Chills
− Head ache, body aches, ear ache
− Nausea, vomiting
− Dry cough
If you’re unsure about the best way to treat your child’s cold or flu, ask
your school nurse, doctor,
pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.
How do I make my child feel better?
• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and put limits on TV watching
• Encourage fluids; like water, soup, juice and ice
• Help your child relax by reading him a story and giving him plenty of TLC
• Consider using a cool humidifier
• When used as directed, children’s cough and cold medicines help relieve
cough and cold symptoms
while your child is getting better. Read and follow the directions carefully
and give the exact
recommended dose for the child’s age. Do not use over the counter cough and
cold medications for
children under the age of four in the U.S.
How can I prevent my child from getting a cold?
• Teach your child to wash his or her hands frequently using plenty of soap
and warm water. Proper
hand-washing should take about 20 seconds or the time it takes to sing “Happy
Birthday” twice
• Teach your child to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their sleeve
• Keep the child’s environment tobacco free
• Try to minimize the time your child spends with other children who have
cough or cold symptoms
• Pack easy-to-use products like disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers in
your child’s backpack to use
when he or she is at school
• Keep an annual well-child exam to follow changes in your child’s health
• Keep all of your child’s immunizations up-to-date (The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
guidelines now recommend a flu vaccine for most children aged 6 months up to
their 19th birthday)
• Serve a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Giving a daily
vitamin may be recommended by
your pediatrician
• After your child is feeling better, clean all surfaces; wash the bedding and
air out the room
• Keep surfaces like door knobs, phones, remote controls, toys, and keyboards
clean
• Always make sure to consult your school nurse or doctor if you have any
questions
My child has a medical condition-should I let the nurse know about it?
Your child's health affects learning! We encourage parents to discuss any
condition that may affect your child while at school. Our goal is for your
child to feel his or her best-we will develop a plan of care to help your
child at school as needed to help meet this goal.
My child needs to take medicine while at school. How do I arrange this?
In general, children normally do not take medication at school. Children who
need medications at school must do so according to state law and school code.
Illinois state law requires physician authorization for all medicines-even
over the counter medicine. Please contact your school nurse to make
arrangements if your child needs to take medicine at school.