REMINDER

 HEALTH ROOM NEWS
From Mrs. Mary Lou Bulfin, R.N., School Nurse

Don’t forget! All kindergarten and second grade students must bring a dental form to the Health Room by May 15, 2008 to be in compliance with the State of Illinois. Dental forms are available on the district website, in the nurse’s office, or at your dentist’s office. Make your appointments early!Need a physical Form? Click Here
REASONS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL (ILLNESS):

*A fever of 100 degrees or higher

*Frequent uncontrolled coughing

*A heavy or “bad” cold

*Vomiting within the past 24 hours

*A sore throat accompanied by fever, a stomach ache, headache or pain that needs medication.

****GOOD hand washing can prevent the spread of illness, so please encourage your child to wash their hands at home and at school!

Remember it is important that we have the correct number to contact you in case we need to reach you should your child become ill at school. If your home or work number changes, please send a written note to the main office.

The information that follows is for all parents to read and become familiar with regarding required immunizations.

Please note that the Hepatitis B vaccine is REQUIRED by the State of Illinois for these students:
1. Children 2 years of age or older in pre-kindergarten programs operated by a school;
2. All children entering fifth grade;
3. All children entering sixth grade;
4. All Special Education students 10 years of age for the 2006-07 school year.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is given in a series of three injections at specific intervals. It is very important to begin this process NOW if your child has not been vaccinated, as it will take up to six months to complete the series of three injections.

If your child is required to have these vaccinations and has already received all three, congratulations and thank you! If your child has begun the three vaccination series, but isn’t finished – PLEASE STAY ON SCHEDULE AND COMPLETE IT!

If your child has not started the series and will be required to have it for this school year, schedule an appointment with your physician or call the Will County Health Department at (815) 7272-8840.

CLARIFICATION OF IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Polio (TOPV) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP)
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Hepatitis B and Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B)
Varicella (Chicken Pox) – required for all 3-4-5 year old students who are entering school

POLIO (TOPV)
Any child entering kindergarten or first grade must show proof of having received three or more doses of Polio vaccine with the last dose being a booster and having been administered on or near the fourth (4th) birthday. (Children two years of age or older must show proof of having received three or more doses administered at no less than six-week intervals.)

DIPTHERIA, TETANUS, PERTUSSIS (DTP)
Any child entering kindergarten or first grade must show proof of having received four or more doses of DTP with the last dose being a booster and having been administered on or after the fourth (4th) birthday. Individual doses must be no less than four weeks apart with the interval between the third and fourth or final dose at least six months. If ten years have elapsed since the booster, an additional TD booster is required. (Children two years of age or older must show proof of having received four or more doses of DTP with individual doses administered no less than four weeks apart with the interval between the third and fourth dose at least six months.)

MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA (MMR)
MEASLES

Children entering school at any grade level K-12, must show proof of having received two doses of live measles virus vaccine with the first dose at twelve (12) months of age or older and the second dose no less than one month after the first. (Children two years of age or older entering a school program must show proof of having received one dose of live measles virus vaccine at twelve (12) months of age or older.)

MUMPS
Any child entering a school program at any grade level must show proof of having received at least one dose of mumps vaccine at twelve (12) months of age or older.

RUBELLA
Any child entering a school program at any grade level must show proof of having received at least one dose of rubella vaccine at twelve (12) months of age or older.

HEPATITIS B
The Hepatitis B vaccine is a requirement for children below kindergarten level and all children not already vaccinated that are entering fifth grade in 2006-07. A series of three vaccinations is required. The first two doses should be no less than four weeks apart, with at least a two-month interval between the second and third dose.

HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
All children age 59 months and under, entering a school program below the kindergarten level, must have one Hib vaccination on or after fifteen (15) months of age.

CHICKEN POX (VARICELLA)
All incoming three, four, and five year old children must have proof of vaccination or proof of the disease signed by a physician.