Health Services

School District 189 provides Health Services with nurses in every school in the district and partnerships with healthcare providers in the area.  Our nurses are a part of our student support team. They deal with chronic issues such as asthma and diabetes as well as students with allergies, both food and environmental; drugs, both prescription and recreational; disaster preparedness; crisis management; school health documentation for local governments, contagious illnesses and acute injuries; immunizations, mental health and social-emotional issues, oral health, vision and hearing screenings, and school wellness policies. Our nurses also provide health education and wellness education to students as well as provide resources for parents.  

School Nurses – What We Do

All schools have a full-time nurse assigned to the school who provide for the care and well-being of our students by

• Providing emergency care with appropriate parent notification and medical referral.
• Administering medications and treatments.
• Performing specialized health care procedures.
• Accessing community health resources.
• Assessing individual health needs and developing and implementing care plans as needed.
• Collaborating with administration and staff regarding special health care needs of students.
• Screening vision and hearing with referral and follow-up as needed.
• Ensuring compliance with State of Illinois mandates for physical examination and immunizations.
• Managing communicable disease in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines.
• Functioning as a member of the Child Study Team (CST) by assessing the impact of medical factors on learning.
• Providing health and safety education to students and staff.

If your child has a significant medical history, it is important to share the information with the school nurse so that they can coordinate a safe and competent care plan for your child at school. If your child becomes ill or is injured during school, every effort will be made to contact you or the person you designate on your child’s emergency form.

Keep the emergency contact information up to date by notifying the school of changes. If the nurse determines that paramedic assistance is necessary, 911 will be called and the child will be taken to the closest hospital. Each village sets its own fees for ambulance transportation.

COVID-19, FLU, COLD, AND RSV SYMPTOMS

These illnesses can seem very similar and it can be difficult to know the difference. Consider this chart as a guide to help identify what symptoms may pertain to what illnesses. 

Student Health Requirements 

Immunizations 

All immunizations must be current according to the requirements of the Illinois School Code. Students who fail to comply will be excluded from school.

 

You may find additional information at the following links:

Immunization Guide for all grades PreK-12 (PDF of chart)

https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/immunization/minimum-immunization-requirements.html

Physical Exam  

Physical Exam: The Illinois School Code requires that children entering preschool, kindergarten (or first grade if kindergarten was not attended) and sixth grade must have had a physical exam within one year prior to starting that grade level. Students of any age transferring from a school outside Illinois must also have had a physical within the last year. School Physical Form (Spanish Physical Form). 

Dental Screening 

Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, & 6th Grade:  Are required to have an oral health examination.  Examinations must be performed by a licensed dentist, and he/she must sign the proof of school dental examination form.  Each child is required to present proof of an examination by a dentist and provide proof prior to the start of the school year. Our schools partner with local dental providers to support this screening process

You may find additional information at the following links:  https://www.isbe.net/Documents/School-Dental-Examinations.pdf

Vision and Hearing Screening

Vision and hearing screening will be conducted in School District 189 as per the Illinois Department of Public Health rules and regulations. Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor.

You may find additional information at the following links: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/vision-hearing.html

Services Provided to School District 189 Students by East Side Health District 

East Side Health District operates a School-Based Health Center (SBHC) at Vivian Adams Early Childhood Center in order to promote preventative, primary and acute care among East St. Louis School District 189 students.

The program is available to all students who attend School District 189 schools. In addition to acute and primary care, services will include, but will not be limited to:

• a routine physical;
• examinations, sports physicals;
• immunizations;
• health education, personal hygiene; and
• Women, Infant and Children Services (WIC)

Referrals will be made for routine dental examinations and sealants; counseling on alcohol and drug use; mental health; violence; sexually transmitted diseases; and use of firearms.

Additional referrals will be made to appropriate health care providers for further evaluation and treatment as needed, as well as case management and other preventive services. Students must have a recent consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian to receive services. Services will also be provided free to any District 189 student who is referred to East Side Health District’s clinic located at 638 N. 20th St., in the event the current schedule at Vivian Adams is filled.

Students are required to have a recent consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian to receive services. Services will also be provided free to any School District 189 student who is referred to East Side Health District’s Clinic, located at 638 N. 20th St., in the event the current schedule at Vivian Adams is filled.

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It’s Flu Season-Are You Prepared?

Information:https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/influenza

Meningitis Can Be Deadly. Take Precautions.

Information:https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/meningitis

Where can I get a Flu or Other Vaccinations?  https://www.co.st-clair.il.us/get-vaccinated

Click the following link for information about Diabetes, Understanding Type 1 Diabetes for Parents and Guardians.

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Student Health Requirements

Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, & 6th Grade:  Are required to have an oral health examination.  Examinations must be performed by a licensed dentist, and he/she must sign the proof of school dental examination form.  Each child is required to present proof of an examination by a dentist and provide proof prior to the start of the school year.

You may find additional information at the following links:  Proof of Examination Form – Examination Waiver Form

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Services Provided to School District 189 Students by East Side Health District 

East Side Health District operates a School-Based Health Center (SBHC) at Vivian Adams Early Childhood Center in order to promote preventative, primary and acute care among East St. Louis School District 189 students.

The program is available to all students who attend School District 189 schools. In addition to acute and primary care, services will include, but will not be limited to:

• a routine physical;
• examinations, sports physicals;
• immunizations;
• health education, personal hygiene; and
• Women, Infant and Children Services (WIC)

Referrals will be made for routine dental examinations and sealants; counseling on alcohol and drug use; mental health; violence; sexually transmitted diseases; and use of firearms.

Additional referrals will be made to appropriate health care providers for further evaluation and treatment as needed, as well as case management and other preventive services. Students must have a recent consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian to receive services. Services will also be provided free to any District 189 student who is referred to East Side Health District’s clinic located at 638 N. 20th St., in the event the current schedule at Vivian Adams is filled.

Students are required to have a recent consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian to receive services. Services will also be provided free to any School District 189 student who is referred to East Side Health District’s Clinic, located at 638 N. 20th St., in the event the current schedule at Vivian Adams is filled.

____________________________  

September 17, 2025

To:       Parents/Guardians and Staff Members

Re:      Notification to Staff of CPR and AED Video

State law requires the Illinois High School Association to post a hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AED) training video on its website.  The law also requires the District to notify staff members and parents/guardians about the video.  You are encouraged to view the video, which will take less than 15 minutes of your time, at:

https://www.ihsa.org/health-safety/cpr-training

Sincerely,

Arthur R. Culver, Superintendent

East St. Louis School District 189