Parents have the primary responsibility for the health of their children. The efforts of the school are directed to help parents recognize and assume their responsibility.

A trained staff provides quality care to the children in the Wilmette schools. The District employs registered nurses or licensed practical nurses for the full-time health paraprofessional positions.

According to The School Code of Illinois, physical examinations are required of all students prior to initial entrance into school and upon entrance into sixth grade. All children entering kindergarten must submit a recent physical examination form. All children new to the District must also do so.

Physical and dental examination forms are available from the school health office or secretary, or may be downloaded below. All health examination forms must be dated.

Children are not permitted to enter school until this requirement is met. If you have questions about health services in WPS39, please contact the health services provider at your school.

All forms are in PDF format, and may be viewed with Preview (on a Mac) or with Adobe Reader (any platform).

Background

District 39 recognizes the importance of healthy nutrition and protection of students with life-threatening food allergies. We also recognize celebrating accomplishments and milestones and the variety of ways to celebrate. As food may be a component to events, a review of food in the classroom was conducted to update guidelines for the elementary buildings. Please refer to District 39’s Resource Guide for Supporting Children with Life-Threatening Allergies (223 kB, adopted 3/23/05; revised 2010-11) for comprehensive guidance related to allergies.

General Guidelines for Communal Food

1. District 39 discourages the use of food as a reward.
2. District 39 encourages alternate methods for recognition of birthdays other than food treats. Some possible non-edible alternatives are school supplies, pencils, stickers, note pads, donate a book in your child’s name for his/her classroom or school library, a parent or family member read to his/her class in honor of the event, or donation of a game or activity to his/her classroom.
3. Activities across classrooms involving communal food sharing are not recommended as this increases the likelihood that a student could ingest a food containing an ingredient that may cause an allergic reaction. Any such activity will need the Principal's permission and a formal plan to communicate food allergies to parents providing the food and parents of children with allergies.
4. If food is brought into the classroom to be shared, items should be commercially prepared or prepared by licensed food vendors. This includes fruits and vegetables. Pre-packaging will avoid the possibility of cross-contamination. Pre-packaged foods should list all ingredients on the labels.
5. For any food or drink brought into school for instructional purposes or celebrations, the classroom teacher should authorize and approve the food selection at least two days in advance.
6. Curriculum and supporting activities will be reviewed individually as needed to evaluate the use of food for projects.

The purpose of this manual is as to provide a guideline for supporting children with life-threatening allergies in school. This resource is to assist teams in developing individual plans for children.

District 39 Allergy Resource Guide (223 kB)

1. Stay Healthy
   • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect others from getting sick.
   • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.  Hands should be washed for a minimum of 20 seconds, rubbing vigorously.
   • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.  After you use a tissue, wash your hands thoroughly.
   • Practice other good health habits ~ get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy foods.
   • Get a flu shot, IF recommended for your age and health conditions AND if your physician recommends it.
2. Stop the Spread of Germs
   • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze.  Be sure to throw your used tissue in the garbage.
   • If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve--- NOT into your hands.
   • After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, ALWAYS wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.  Hand washing is the #1 way to prevent the transmission of germs.
   • Stay home when you are sick.  Parents should keep children home from school whenever there is a fever and/or a cough.
   • Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels or other personal items.
   • Frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, phones, faucet handles, and light switches should be sanitized regularly