Changes in Health Requirements
For the 2008-2009 School Year
Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, the state of Illinois will require a
Physical
examination:
prior to beginning an early childhood program
prior to entering kindergarten
prior to entering sixth grade
(expected to be waived for the 2008-2009 school year; see below)
prior to entering ninth grade
Dental examination: kindergarten school year
2nd grade school year
6th grade school year
Vision examination: prior to entering kindergarten or
attending an Illinois school for the first time
On August 24, 2007, the Illinois General assembly passed a law (Public Act 95-422), amending the physical examination requirement in the Child Health Exam Code. The amendment changed the date of the required health examination from “prior to entering 5th grade” to “prior to entering 6th grade”. What this change means for our students is that current fourth graders will not be required to receive a physical before they enter 5th grade. As for current fifth graders; at the present time, House Bill 5717 which addresses the issue of the 6th grade physical is moving through the House. The proposed language to be added to the new school code states:
“Any child who received a health examination within one year prior to entering the 5th grade for the 2007-2008 school year is not required to receive an additional health examination in order to comply with the provisions of Public Act 95-422 when he/she attends school for the 2008-2009 school year, unless the child is attending school for the first time.”
It is expected that this will be adopted. Therefore at this time, your child who will enter 6th grade in August 2008 will NOT need a NEW physical examination to comply with state law. However, if your child plans to participate in any junior high interscholastic sport activities during the 2008-2009 school year, they will need a new physical examination to be completed before they are allowed to participate.
Also new
All children enrolling in kindergarten in a
public, private, or parochial school and
any student enrolling for the first time in a public, private, or
parochial school in the State of Illinois shall have an eye
examination. Each child shall present proof of having been examined
by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches
or a
licensed optometrist within the previous year before October 15th
of the school year. An eye examination shall at a minimum
include history, visual acuity, subjective refraction to best
visual acuity near and far, internal and external examination, and
a glaucoma evaluation, as well as any other tests or observations
that in the professional judgment of the doctor are
necessary.
Physical and dental examination forms are available for download on this website by clicking on “Health Services”. The new vision forms will be available sometime this summer when they receive final state approval. Also available on the website are medication authorization forms if your child will require medication at school. A separate form must be filled out for each medication and the form must be signed by your child’s doctor.
If you have any questions regarding these changes, feel free to contact Carol Schmidtke, school nurse for grades EC-3 at (630) 493-8155 or Patti DeNichols, school nurse for grades 4-8 at (630) 493-8215.
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FYI- Change in the DuPage County Health Department Immunization Program
Effective May 1, 2008, the Immunization Clinics will begin scheduling client appointments for services. This will also include TB testing at the Addison, Lombard and Westmont locations. Walk-in services will be eliminated.
Call 1-630-682-7400 for clinic information or to schedule an appointment.
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FYI- To parents of children enrolled in the All Kids Program:
- Your dental services are covered, including: one oral examination each year and routine cleanings and fluoride treatments every six months.
- Regular dental exams should be scheduled. No referral is needed.
- Assistance with locating a dentist or information on covered dental services is available by contacting Doral Dental, toll-free, at 1-888-286-2447.
