Nurse

Mrs. Abhija, RN,BSN, PEL/CSN
fabhija@palos118.org

12700 S. 104th Ave.
Palos Park, IL  60464

Ph: (708) 448-6888 x3804
Fx: (708) 923-7064

I am responsible for the management of the Health Office at Palos West. I provide first aid to all students and staff, screen for vision and hearing deficits, and I am available to assist with any health care resource needs. My primary role is to support learning. I firmly believe that a child needs to be healthy to learn.

If I can be of any assistance to you or your children at Palos West, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Wellness Plan

In August 2013, Public Act 098-0305 took effect. This act requires the IHSA to be given a CPR training video to post on its website so that staff at IHSA members schools can watch it. The act also indicates school districts shall notify parents and encourage them to view the video, too.

School Screening
School health personnel perform vision and hearing screening of students. The parents of a child may request a screening at any time. Vision screening will be done, as mandated, for preschool, kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 8th grade students; special education students; teacher referrals; and new students. Hearing screening will be done, as mandated, for preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade students; special education students; teacher referrals; and new students.

Screenings & Required Exams
Vision and hearing screenings are not substitutes for a complete eye and ear examination by an appropriate doctor. Your child will not be required to undergo this vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months and that an evaluation is on file at the school.

Your child will not be required to undergo this hearing screening if an audiologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months and that evaluation is on file at the school. This notice is not a permission to test and is not required to be returned.

Vision and hearing screening is not an option. If a vision or hearing examination report is not on file at the school for your child, your child in the mandated age, grade, or group will be screened.

Physical Exam & Immunization
Illinois State Law requires each public school student to present proof of physical examination and immunization on entering school in kindergarten or 1st grade, transferring to a new school, and in 6th grade. The Department of Public Health requires evidence of immunity against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles (rubeola), rubella (German or three-day measles), mumps, chicken pox, and hepatitis B.

School District 118 will exclude children on the first day of school until such time as proof of physical examinations and immunizations are presented. If there are objections on religious grounds, a signed statement detailing the grounds for objections is required. If the physical condition of a child precludes immunizations on medical grounds, the examining physician must indicate the reasons.

Dental Exam
Illinois State Law requires each public student to present proof of dental exam by May 15 of each school year, at the kindergarten, 2nd, and 6th grade levels. School District 118 will withhold student report cards until such time as proof of dental exam is presented.

Vision Exam
Illinois State Law requires eye exams within one year prior to entering kindergarten starting in the fall and for students entering a school in Illinois for the first time. Proof of the required vision examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist must be submitted by October 15 of each school year. School District 118 will withhold student report cards until such time as proof of vision exam is presented.

Physical Exams, Interscholastic Athletics
The Illinois State Board of Education requires all students who participate in interscholastic athletics to have an annual physical examination. The proper form must be completed and returned prior to the first day of the activity. Forms are available at Palos South and online.

Influenza

Fifth Disease

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Returning to School
A student should only return to school with:

• Temperature less than 100.4 degrees without fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours
• 24 hours of antibiotic treatment for strep and pink eye
• A doctor’s note regarding gym, recess and other physical activity when a child has a serious injury, cast, brace, or splint or has one of these removed
• An acute episode of diarrhea and vomiting that has subsided

Please note that an absence of five consecutive school days requires a doctor’s note upon return.

Medications In School
Administering medication to students remains the responsibility of parents and should, if at all possible, be given at home. Any pupil required to take medication during the regular school day must comply with the following:

• All medications must have written orders from a physician detailing the name of the drug, dosage, and time interval. These orders must be renewed annually.
• The parent / guardian must complete the school district’s form requesting that the school comply with the physician’s orders.
• Medication must be brought to school in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or the physician.

The school district retains the authority to reject complex requests for the administration of medication. Direct communication with the health office is essential for full comprehension of the student’s total problem. View the Medication Authorization form.