Health Office

•  Eileen Khasho, RN, ICSN
  • Phone: 847-803-5751
• Penny Ruder, RN
  • Phone: 847-803-5753
• Fax: 847-803-5752

Health services are available to student and staff from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. In addition to direct care, nursing services include vision and hearing screening, health education and counseling, medical referrals and follow-up. Individual student health records, as well as any paperwork or documentation of a medical or health-related nature, are confidentially maintained in the school Health Office. Doctor's notes, PE excuses, and medication passes are also handled through the Health Office.

Suspected Communicable Disease

1. Exclude student from school.
2. Notify parent/guardian and refer to physician for diagnosis.
3. Follow the Illinois State Health Department Rules and Regulations for the Control of Communicable Disease.

Readmission Procedure

1. Follow State of Illinois Rules and Regulations for the Control of Communicable Disease and individual school’s procedures.
2. Doctor's note will readmit student.

When to Keep Your Child Home

School attendance is important for effective learning and undisrupted academic development. Most children, unless they have a specific medical problem, should only miss a few days of school a year. It is important to notify the school nurse if your child suffers from a medical problem, particularly if it will impede his/her school performance or attendance. Absences should be reported to the Attendance Office. Communicable diseases and hospitalizations should also be reported to the nurse.

Illness/Injured at School

If a student becomes ill/injured at school, he /she would report to the Health Office with a pass from the teacher to be evaluated by the nurse. Before a who has student taken ill or becomes injured in school is sent home, the Health Office will confer with his/her parent, guardian or emergency contacts as designated by parents to arrange for his/her transportation. Parental consent is needed whether or not the student can provide his/her own transportation.

Physical Examinations and Immunizations

A student entering or enrolled at Maine West High School is required to have on file, proof of a physical exam and proof of the appropriate immunizations as required by law and the Department of Public Health.

In compliance with the Illinois School Code (Chapter 122, Para 27-8,1) and the rules and regulations of the Illinois Department of Public Health for immunization (Statutory Authority, Chapter 111-1/2, par. 11.11 and 11.12, Illinois Revised Statutes, 1977), the following procedures will be required of all students:

1. Students entering the ninth grade, as well as new/transfer students, must submit proof of a physical examination with required immunizations. Proof of this physical examination and immunization record must be submitted on the required state form. The physical examination must have been completed within one year prior to the first day of school. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO START SCHOOL WITHOUT A CURRENT PHYSICAL EXAM.

   Athletics requires an annual physical exam for participation in sports.

   Parents will be informed that if there is any physical disability or health problem, the student will not be excused from physical education without a doctor’s notice or the updated health report on file.

2. Parent/Guardian will be notified in writing prior to the date when the student’s immunization no longer meets state guidelines.
3. If a student fails to comply by the required dates for updating immunizations, then the local school authority shall exclude the student from school until such time the student presents proof of having received needed immunizations.

Medications

Some students with special needs or medical conditions may require the administration of medication during the school day. Medications are limited to those required during school hours and necessary for maintaining an optimal state of health for academic success. Self-administration of medications, with supervision by the school nurse, is expected at the high school level: facilitating self-reliance and student responsibility.

The school nurse does not dispense any OTC (over-the-counter) medications, including aspirin or Tylenol. Students are allowed to carry their own OTC medications at school and certain prescription medications (such as inhalers for asthma and EpiPens for severe allergic reactions) with written permission from the nurse.

ll medication brought to school must be in the original container and labeled with the students name.

With the exception of EpiPens and asthma inhalers, all prescription medication is kept in the school health office. A medication request form, completed and signed by the physician and parent, must be submitted to the nurse for all prescription medications.

Written permission for prescribed or non-prescribed (OTC) medications at school must be renewed annually.

Questions about specific medication procedures should be directed to the school nurse. The purpose of these procedures is to limit medication use in school, yet assure safe administration of medication for those students who require them.