Health Office

Cindy Thompson, Nurse

618.222.7649 - email: cthompson@bths201.org

Julie Blankenship, Nurse

618-222-7649 - email:  jblankenship@bths201.org

Illinois law requires students entering the ninth grade and transfer students to have physical examinations and to maintain up-to-date immunizations.  The results of all physicals must be reported on a state issued form.  Students may obtain physicals from the physician of their choice or have the exam performed at a designated time by the school physician for freshmen/athletes with a fee of $20.  Physical exams are required annually for participants in athletics.

For incoming freshmen and transfer students, you can obtain a copy of the necessary physical form here.

For athletic physicals, you can obtain a copy of the necessary physical form here.

A health office, in C110 next to the counselor's office, is available for students.  Students may go to the health office if they feel ill.  The nurse will help the student determine if he/she needs temporary treatment or if the student's parents are to be notified.  It is necessary for the students to obtain passes from their teachers or class office before reporting to the health office.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY A STUDENT WHO IS ILL LEAVE SCHOOL WITHOUT CHECKING WITH THE SCHOOL NURSE OR CLASS OFFICE.

First aid may be given when injury occurs as deemed appropriate.  In case of major injuries or severe illness, every attempt will be made to contact the student's parent/guardian.  If the parent/guardian cannot be contacted, the school administration will act "in loco parentis".  The health office is precluded by state law from being a clinic.  Students must make arrangements with the nurse for dispensing of prescribed medications.

If the family receives diagnosis of a specific medical problem or handicap that would necessitate medical attention or treatment at school, this information should be documented and furnished to the health office.

Students are not to use the health office as a substitute for obtaining medical services from their own physicians.

ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO STUDENTS

Students should not take medication during school hours or during school-related activities unless it is necessary for a student's health and well-being.  When a student's licensed health care provider and parent(s)/guardian(s) believe that it is necessary for the student to take a medication during school hours, they must request that the school dispense the medication to their child/ward and otherwise follow the District's procedures on dispensing medication.

No School District employee shall administer to any student, or supervise a student's self administration of, any prescription medication until a completed and signed "School Medication Authorization Form." is submitted by the student's parent(s)/guardian(s).  Non-prescription medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, and Sudafed are allowed to be kept with the student at school for self-administration, but must be taken in the nurses' office.  No student shall possess or consume any prescription or non-prescription medication on school grounds or at a school-related function other than as provided for in this policy and its implementing procedures.  A student may possess midication prescribed for asthma for immediate use at the student's discretion, provided the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) have completed and signed a "School Medication Authorization Form".  The School District shall incur no liability, except for willful and wanton conduct, as a result of any injury arising from a student's self-administration of medication or the medication's storage by school personnel.  Parent(s)/guardian(s) must indemnify and hold harmless the School District and its employees and agents, against any claims, except a claim based on willful and wanton conduct, arising out of a student's self-administration of medication or the storage of the medication by school personnel.

To aid in the safe administration of medication to children, the school nurse(s) may determine, based on their professional judgment and recommendations by the drug's manufacturer and the Physican's Desk Reference (a standard source for appropriate dosages and other information critical to safe administration of medication) whether a prescribed medication should be administered at school.

It shall be the policy of this District that the District will not knowingly administer any medication to a student if the district's nurse(s) believes in their professional judgment, that such administration could cause harm to the student, other students or the District itself.  Such cases may include, but not necessarily limited to, situations in which the District is asked to administer medication in a dosage that exceeds the highest recommended dosage listed in the current annual volume of the Physician's Desk Reference or other recognized medical or pharmaceutical text.

In the event the nurse(s) determines that the administration of some medication could cause harm to the student, other students, or the District, the nurse shall contact the doctor who prescribed the medication to verify the dosage.