The Indiana State Department of Health mandates health screenings at the following grade levels:

Vision Screenings:
Grades 1, 3, 5, and 8 (1st grade students have MCT screening done by volunteer Optometrists)

Hearing Screenings:
Grades 1, 4, 7, and 10

Screenings are also done if the parent and/or teacher requests it. School nurses perform the screenings. The screening is not a diagnostic tool; it simply indicates that further medical evaluation is needed. If you receive a screening referral for your child, follow up with his/her physician. Please be sure to notify the nurse of the results so we are aware of any changes in their health status. Parents or legal guardians who have a religious objection to these screenings should contact the school nurse.

When a student enrolls in school for the first time or any subsequent time and at any level, a parent/guardian must show either that the student has been immunized or that a current religious objection or medical objection is on file.  Religious objections may be signed by a parent/guardian each year.  Medical objections to immunizations must be signed by a physician and parent/guardian each year.  The medical exemption must contain a physician’s certification that a particular immunization is detrimental to the child’s health.  Philosophical objection is not allowed in Indiana.

Parents are encouraged to contact their healthcare practitioner, the Health Department, or other clinics to get the required vaccines before the next school year begins to avoid exclusion.  Proof of immunization should be submitted to the school nurse upon receiving any new immunizations.  The shot record must include the student’s name, date of birth, the vaccine given and date (month/day/year) of each vaccine.   

** Contact your health care provider for vaccine and vaccine related questions. **

2024-2025 School immunization Requirements (PDF)

 

Required Immunizations for Students Entering Pre-Kindergarten (PK)

• 3 Hep B
• 2 Hep A
• 4 DTap
• 3 Polio
• 1 Varicella (Chickenpox) or history of disease documented by a healthcare practitioner 
• 1 MMR (Meseales, Mumps, Rubella)

 Required Immunizations for Students Entering Kindergarten (K)

• All the immunizations required for pre-kindergarten plus the following:
  • 1 DTaP
  • 1 Polio
  • 1 Varicella (Chickenpox) or history of disease documented by a healthcare practitioner
  • 1 MMR (Meseales, Mumps, Rubella)

 Required Immunizations for Students Entering Sixth Grade (6th)

• All the immunizations required for kindergarten plus the following:
  • 1 MCV4
  • 1Tdap

Required Immunizations for Students Entering Twelfth (12th)

• All the immunizations required for sixth grade plus the following:
  • 1 MCV4

Recommended Immunizations

• Influenza 
  • Annually
• COVID
  • Per CDC Guidelines
• HPV
  • On or before entering 6th grade
• MenB
  • On or before entering 12th grade

 

GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION IN DUNELAND SCHOOLS

These medication guidelines shall include all medicines including those prescribed by a physician and any non-prescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations, and/or remedies. Medically prescribed treatment refers to health-care procedures, which require special training such as catheterization, or intravenous, or intramuscular injection.

• Any medicine to be administered to a student shall be brought to the principal or nurse's office.
• A medication or prescribed treatment will be administered only with the written and dated consent by the parent or legal guardian.
• Prescribed treatment and prescription medications including blood glucose tests by finger prick to be administered to a student must be accompanied by a physician's prescription, a copy of the original prescription, or the pharmacy label.
• Prescription medication shall be kept in its original container, labeled with the student's name and the exact dosage.
• All over-the-counter medication must be accompanied by written instruction to include the student's name, date, reason for giving, the dose, time, duration and parent or legal guardian signature.
• Medications are to be kept secured under lock and key. (An exception would be when a student has authorization to carry medication for emergency/chronic health needs).
• Medications that are outdated and declared inappropriate are returned to the parent.
• The school nurse or her designee has the sole responsibility of giving or dispensing all medication.
• A record is maintained in the nurse's office that includes the date, time, and name of the medication. This document must be signed recognizing each transaction.
• Observations, assessments, and reports on usage of medicines and treatments will be shared with parent or legal guardian, appropriate school personnel, and physician.

SELF-ADMINISTERED MEDICATION

Students are prohibited from self-administering medication. However, a student may possess and self-administer medication for chronic diseases or medical conditions provided the student's parent or legal guardian files a written authorization with the principal.

• The written authorization must be filed annually.
• A physician's written statement must be included with the parent's authorization.

A physician's statement to be filed annually must include the following information:

• An acute or chronic disease or medical condition exists for which the medication is prescribed.
• The student has been given instruction as to how to self-administer the medication.
• The nature of the disease or medical condition requires emergency administration of the medication.

Control of Casual-Contact Communicable Diseases

Duneland School Corporation health personnel and/or principal will exclude students from school who exhibit symptoms of casual-contact communicable disease according to the protocols established by the Indiana State Department of Health. In order to protect the health and safety of ALL students, casual-contact communicable diseases include COVID-19, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, scarlet fever, all strep infections, whooping cough, and/others designated by the Indiana State Department of Health.

Children should be kept at home if they have the following:

● Temperature of 100 degrees or over*

● Any inflammatory eye condition without a physician's release

● Cough associated with fever or continuous unrelieved cough

● Cold symptoms associated with other signs of illness

● Sore or inflamed throat associated with fever**

● Vomiting or diarrhea***

● Undiagnosed skin eruptions or rashes

● Known or suspected communicable disease during the contagious period

 

*The student must be fever free (without medication) for 24 hours before returning to school.

** Students with strep infections may return to school after they have been on antibiotic treatment 24 hours minimum AND are fever free.

***Students with vomiting and/or diarrhea will be excluded from attending school until they are symptom-free (without medication) for at least 24 hours

 

If your student is diagnosed with a casual-contact communicable disease please inform the school immediately so that appropriate mitigation strategies can be implemented.  

Concussion Parent Fact Sheet
Concussion Signs & Symptoms Checklist

Hoja informativa para los padres
Lista  de  verificación de  signos  y  síntomas  de  una  conmoción  cerebral

TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENT EMERGENCIES

When a student becomes ill or injured at school, it may be necessary for the student to be taken home, to a doctor, or to a hospital. The parent or legal guardian should assume this responsibility, except in an emergency when it is apparent that an ambulance or emergency medical service should be called immediately. Ambulance and emergency medical cost is the parent’s/guardian responsibility. The final responsibility for securing the safe transportation of a sick or injured student from school to home, hospital or to emergency medical care rests with the principal or his/her designee. No seriously sick or injured student will be allowed to go home unless there is a responsible adult to provide for the student’s care. The student will remain in school when all measures available to locate a responsible adult have failed. When school is dismissed and no adult is available, the Child Protective Services will be contacted.

It is the parent or legal guardian's responsibility to keep the school informed regarding any health concerns that may need special consideration in the child's activities or educational program during the school day.

Students who have been absent because of illness will be kept indoors if the parent or legal guardian sends a note indicating the specific time a child is to remain inside. Extended times of more than five days require a physician's note.

For more information about seasonal flu visit:  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/ 

Hepatitis is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). 

Hepatitis A can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is spread through contact with contaminated objects, food, or drinks.  Vaccines are available for long-term prevention of HAV infection in persons 1 year of age and older. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can also help prevent the spread of hepatitis A.  To learn more about Hepatitis A please visit https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/index.htm

Hepatitis B is spread when blood, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected and has not been vaccinated.  Some people with hepatitis B are sick for only a few weeks (known as “acute” infection), but for others, the disease progresses to a serious, lifelong illness known as chronic hepatitis B.  More information about Hepatitis B can be found here:  https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm#bFAQc01

• IDOH Letter to Parents about Hepatitis A 

• Hepatitis B General Information (Spanish)

Meningococcal disease is often a severe, possibly life threatening, illness caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.  About 1 in 10 people carry this bacteria in the back of their nose and throat without showing signs of illness.  Sometimes the bacteria invade the body, causing certain illnesses known as meningococcal disease.  Infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream are common forms of meningococcal disease.  Meningococcal bacteria are spread from person to person through respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) during close or lengthy contact.  Keeping up to date with required vaccines is the best protection against meningococcal disease.  To learn more about meningococcal disease please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/index.html  

To lower your chances of getting meningococcal disease, the CDC recommends vaccination for:  

• All preteens from 11 to 12 years old (Indiana requires students entering 6th grade to have a meningococcal vaccine)

• Teens and young adults 16 through 23 year olds (Indiana requires students entering 12th grade to have a booster)

More information about who should receive a Meningococcal vaccine can be found here:

Meningococcal Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know 
Meningococcal Vaccines for Teens and Adults 

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is commonly spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. HPV infections are so common that nearly all people will get at least one type of HPV at some time in their lives.  In 2018 there were about 43 million HPV infections, many among people in their late teens and early 20s.  Though most HPV infections go away on their own within 2 years, infections can last longer and potentially cause cancers later in life.  To learn more about HPV please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/about-hpv.html

To lower your chances of getting HPV, the CDC recommends vaccination for:

• All preteens (including boys and girls) at age 11 or 12 years (or can start at age 9 years)

• Everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already

Information about the HPV vaccine can be found here:

• HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine: What You Need to Know (Spanish)
• HPV Vaccine Safety & Effectiveness (Spanish)

Special Dietary Need Form
Permission to Exchange Form
Authorization to Administer Medication
End of Year Medication Return Form

Allergy/Anaphylaxis Packet (Food )
Allergy/Anaphylaxis Packet (Insect)
Asthma Packet
Diabetes Packet
Seizure/Epilepsy Packet

 

Medical Exemption/Contraindication Form
Religious Objection

Bed Bugs Quick Facts
COVID-19
The Flu: A Guide for Parents
Head Lice 101 (English) / Head Lice 101 (Spanish)
HPV Quick Facts (English) / HPV Quick Facts (Spanish)
HPV Informational Letter
Meningitis Information Letter (English) / Meningitis Information Letter (Spanish)
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Quick Fact Sheet
School Guidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies
What is CHIRP?
Porter County Health Department 

CHIRP Consent
Health Questionnaire
Stocked Over-the-Counter Medication Consent