Health Services

Student holding up x-ray to skeleton in nurse's office

A student’s success in education is directly related to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our health services staff provide primary access to healthcare for students and staff during the school day to support an optimal learning environment.

At Sycamore Community School District 427, safety is our top priority. When students and staff gather in our buildings during the school day, our health services staff ensure that we have a response in place for any first aid, emergency medical, or other health-related situations that may occur. Additionally, our health services staff maintain records of student health history and requirements. Students who receive medication or treatment during the school day are assisted by health services staff, who educate students throughout the process.

Student Health Requirements

The School Code of Illinois and Sycamore Community School District 427 Board of Education Policy require students entering kindergarten, sixth, ninth, and twelfth grades and any student new to the District to meet the following requirements. Students will be excluded from school as of October 1 of each year if the required forms are not completed and on file with health services.

View Requirements

Resources

Many of our student health requirements are based on guidance from local and state health departments. Working with these organizations ensures that we follow the latest advice and mandates in regard to student health. Health services also collaborates with local and district organizations to provide support to students and families.

Frequently Asked Questions

My student has a health condition. How do I go about sharing this information with the school?

When you register your student for the school year, you have an opportunity to document their health conditions. You may also email the school nurse to initiate a conversation, compile necessary medical reports or physicians orders, or complete school-related health forms.

It is the responsibility of the family to notify any before/after school program staff about their student’s medical history and conditions that may require special provisions, restrictions, or medication during the program.

My student needs to take medication at school. How do I set this up?

I just moved to Sycamore. What health documentation do I need to share with health services?

If you moved to Sycamore from within the State of Illinois, we will need a copy of your student’s most recent school physical examination and immunizations.
If you moved to Sycamore from out-of-state, we will need a health form that is comparable to the State of Illinois requirements and is acceptable if the exam was done within one calendar year of entering an Illinois school. If not, a physical examination is required within 30 days of enrollment.
If you moved to Sycamore from out of the country, we will need a school physical examination completed on the Illinois Physical Exam Form (16-17) prior to their first day of school.

My student is being evaluated for ADHD. What should I do with the forms I have been given by the physician?

Families should notify their student’s teacher and school nurse.
A release of information consent form will need to be completed and returned to the school nurse.
When rating scales are completed by the student’s teachers, the forms will be turned in to the school nurse and the original forms will be mailed and faxed to the provider requesting the rating scales. These forms will not be returned to the student’s family. Families with questions may speak directly with their student’s school nurse.

When are required immunizations and physicals due?

What is the procedure for students who experience a medical emergency at school?

If a student experiences a medical emergency at school, every attempt will be made to contact their family. If a student’s family cannot be reached, the student’s designated emergency contact will be notified.

If, at any time, school and health services staff are unsure of the extent of the emergency, or if the observable condition of the student would suggest that the student not be moved, 911 will be called. If assessment of the student by emergency medical personnel dictates the need, the student may be transported to the nearest emergency center for further care.

What if my student has a physical condition and cannot participate in gym class or recess?

What if my student only takes medications occasionally?

My student has food allergies. What do I need to do to make sure my student is safe at school?

Families should notify their student's school nurse of the allergy and provide the school nurse with the following forms:

State law requires our school district to annually inform families of students with life-threatening allergies or life-threatening chronic illnesses of the applicable provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable federal statutes, federal regulations, and state rules. If your student has a life-threatening allergy or life-threatening chronic illness, please notify the building principal or school nurse. Federal law protects students from discrimination due to a disability that substantially limits a major life activity. If your student has a qualifying disability, an individualized Section 504 Plan can be developed and implemented to provide the needed support so your student can access their education as effectively as students without disabilities. Not all students with life-threatening allergies and life-threatening chronic illnesses may be eligible under Section 504. Our school district may be able to appropriately meet a student’s needs through other means.

My student is not feeling well today. When should I keep my student home from school?

Please view information specific to COVID-19 on our COVID-19 Updates Page.

In a non-COVID year, your student should remain home if they have:

A fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
Vomited or had diarrhea in the past 24 hours
An unexplained rash
Sore or pink eyes with discharge; or
A persistent, productive cough

Students should remain home for 24 hours after their temperature has returned to normal without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have subsided.

Does my student need a dental, vision, or hearing examination? What are the deadlines?

What are the District's COVID protocols?

Over the summer 2022, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) adopted updated guidance for schools and Early Childhood Education settings. This guidance focuses on everyday actions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including the virus that causes COVID-19. These actions include:

Staying up to date with all routine vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccines as vaccination continues to be the leading public health strategy for reducing severe disease associated with COVID-19.
Stay home when you are sick. Students and staff with symptoms of infectious disease should remain home until symptoms have improved/resolved. Long standing district protocols require students who have been ill to remain home until they have been fever free for 24 hours without the help of fever reducing medications and that 24 hours have passed since their last episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Isolation and quarantine protocols and recommendations specific to COVID-19 are outlined below.
Optimize Ventilation and improve indoor air quality.
Encourage proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Implement cleaning and disinfecting practices.

DeKalb County continues to report high levels of community transmission. Individuals who experience symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19 or who have been exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 should be aware of the following protocols and recommendations:

Individuals Who Are Experiencing Symptoms of COVID-19

There are a wide range of symptoms that can be associated with COVID-19. If an individual exhibits any of the following symptoms, that individual should isolate away from others and testing for COVID-19 is strongly recommended:

Fever (100.4 or higher)
Headache
Shortness of breath
Cough
Sore throat
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of sense of taste or smell
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches

Rapid antigen testing is available throughout the district. Home tests are also accepted. School health staff are available to assist you with arranging testing and provide recommendations for testing timelines based on progression of symptoms.

Individuals Who Have Tested Positive for COVID-19

Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to remain home from school/work for at least 5 days* from the onset of their symptoms (or 5 days from their positive test if they do not have any symptoms). The date of onset of symptoms is considered day zero.
COVID-19 positive individuals can return to school/work on day 6 if their symptoms have resolved/largely improved and they have been fever free for 24 hours without the help of fever-reducing medication and at least 24 hours have passed since their last episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Upon return those individuals are strongly encouraged to wear masks anytime they are around others on days 6-10.

*There is a wide range of developmental abilities and health conditions amongst our Early Child Education (ECE) students which makes that school setting unique. ECE students may return on day 6 if their symptoms have improved, they have been fever, diarrhea and vomiting free for 24 hours AND have a negative rapid antigen test on day 5 or 6 (free testing is available through the school district). If the rapid test on day 5 or 6 is positive, this indicates that the student is still infectious and will need to remain home until they have a negative test OR until day 11, whichever comes first. The school Nurse, Mrs. Panozzo, will be available to assist you in arranging testing and calculating return timelines.

COVID-19 Isolation Calculator

Individuals Who Have Been Exposed to an Individual Who Has Tested Positive for COVID-19

Individuals who have been exposed to an individual who has tested positive are strongly encouraged to closely monitor for signs and symptoms of covid, and wear a mask when around others for at least 10 days from the date they were exposed. Testing for COVID-19 is recommended for asymptomatic individuals 5 days after they were exposed. If symptoms of COVID-19 develop the individual should isolate and seek testing.

Case Investigation and Contact Tracing

District health staff will not be conducting contact tracing routinely, we will however be monitoring cases for patterns and trends and potential outbreak scenarios while working closely with the DeKalb County Health Department.