Number:

 209

Section:

 Pupils

Title:

 Health Examinations

Date Adopted:

 May 14, 1979

Date Reviewed:

April 24, 2007

Purpose
In compliance with the School Code, the Board shall require the students of this district to submit to health and dental examinations:

1. to protect the school community from the spread of communicable disease,
2. to insure that the student's participation in health, safety and physical education courses meets his or her individual needs,
3. to insure that the learning potential of each child is not lessened by a remediable physical disability.

Authority
Each pupil shall receive a comprehensive health examination consistent with the school code.  These examinations may be conducted by the school physician.  A private examination conducted at the parent's expense will be requested at original entry into school and prior to grades six and eleven.

Each pupil shall receive a comprehensive dental examination consistent with school code.  Their examinations may be conducted by the school dentist.  A private examination conducted at the parent's expense will be requested at original entry into school and prior to grades three and seven.

The District will accept reports of privately conducted physical and dental examinations completed within one (1) year prior to a student’s entry into the grade where an exam is required.

For each pupil transferring to a school of this district the Director of Special Education and Support Services shall request an adequate health record from the transferring school.

The individual pupil records of health examinations shall be maintained as a confidential record subject to statute and the policies of this district.

A student who presents a statement signed by his or her parent or legal guardian that a medical examination is contrary to his or her religious beliefs shall be examined only when the Secretary of Health determines that the student presents a substantial health menace to the health of other persons.

Where it appears to school health officials or teachers that a child deviates from normal growth and development or where school examinations reveal conditions requiring health or dental care, the parent or guardian of the child shall be so informed and a recommendation shall be made that the parent consult a private physician or dentist.  The parent shall be required to report to the school nurse and the Director of Special Education and Support Services the action taken subsequent to such notification.  When the parents or guardians inform the school of financial inability to provide an examination, the school shall advise them of the availability of public assistance.  Where no action is taken by the parent/guardian, the school may conduct further examinations.

Parents and guardians of children who are to be examined shall be notified of such examinations. The notice shall include the date and location of the examination and encourage that the parent or guardian attends.

Such notice may also include:

1. notification that the parent may have the examination conducted privately at the parent's expense,
2. encourage that the parent does so in the interest of providing continuity in the child's health care,
3. notification that the child may be exempt from such examination if it is contrary to the parent's religious beliefs.

The Superintendent or designee shall instruct the staff members to observe students continually for conditions that indicate physical defect or disability and to report such conditions promptly to the school nurse and Director of Special Education and Support Services.