At Duneland School Corporation, we recognize that some students may have health conditions that require special care or accommodations during the school day. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the support they need to learn, grow, and participate fully in school activities.

Our Health Services team works collaboratively with families, healthcare providers, and school staff to develop individualized plans that address each student’s specific health needs. These may include:

• Medication administration during school hours
• Support for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and severe allergies
• Emergency action plans for conditions like seizures or anaphylaxis
• Health screenings and monitoring to support early intervention
• Access to medical equipment or supplies during the school day
• Special dietary accommodations

It is the parent or legal guardian’s responsibility to keep the school informed of any health concerns that may require special consideration in the child’s activities or educational program during the school day. Timely communication helps us provide the safest and most effective care for your child.

To initiate health accommodations, please contact your school nurse. Documentation from a healthcare provider may be required to ensure we can provide appropriate support.

Indiana mandates specific health screenings for students at designated grade levels to promote early detection of potential health issues. These screenings are conducted by school nurses and are not diagnostic; rather, they serve to identify students who may require further medical evaluation. Parents or guardians will be notified if a concern is identified during the screening process. Additionally, screenings can be performed upon request by parents or teachers.

Vision Screenings:
Vision screenings are required for students in 1st grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade and 8th grade. In 1st grade, a Modified Clinical Technique (MCT) screening is conducted by volunteer optometrists. If a student does not pass the vision screening, parents or guardians will be notified by a referral letter, and further medical evaluation is recommended.

Hearing Screenings:
Hearing screenings are conducted annually for students in 1st grade, 4th grade, 7th grade and 10th grade. Additionally, screenings are performed for students who have transferred into the school corporation or are suspected of having hearing defects. If a concern is identified, parents or guardians will be notified by a referral letter, and further medical evaluation is recommended. 

These screenings are part of Indiana's commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of students, supporting their ability to learn and succeed academically.

When enrolling a student in school—whether for the first time or any subsequent time, and at any grade level—parents or guardians must provide documentation showing that the student is fully immunized. Alternatively, a current medical or religious exemption must be on file. Under Indiana Code (IC 20-34-4-5), students who do not meet these requirements may be excluded from school.

Indiana students must meet specific immunization requirements based on their grade level, as established by the Indiana Department of Health. These standards are enforced in accordance with IC 20-34-4-5. Please review the required immunizations for key grade levels, as outlined by the Indiana Department of Health:

Kindergarten Entry: Children must be immunized against DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), and hepatitis A.

6th Grade Entry: In addition to the childhood immunizations, students entering 6th grade must receive a Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) and the first dose of meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine.

12th Grade Entry: Seniors are required to have received a second dose of the meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine.

Please contact your healthcare provider with any specific immunization-related questions or concerns.

Medication Administration Guidelines

These guidelines apply to all medications, including those prescribed by a physician as well as non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations, and remedies. Medically prescribed treatment refers to health-care procedures requiring special training, such as catheterization, tube feeding, insulin pump management, or subcutaneous/intramuscular injections.

• Any medication to be administered to a student must be brought to the school nurse’s or principal’s office.
• Medication or prescribed treatment will only be administered with written and dated consent from the parent or legal guardian.
• Prescription medications and treatments—including blood glucose tests via finger prick—must be accompanied by a physician’s prescription, a copy of the original prescription, or a pharmacy label.
• All prescription medication must be in its original container, clearly labeled with the student’s name and exact dosage.
• All over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by written instructions including the student’s name, date, reason for use, dosage, time, duration, and the parent or legal guardian’s signature.
• All medications must be kept secured under lock and key. An exception applies when a student has authorization to carry medication for emergency or chronic health needs.
• Outdated or inappropriate medications will be returned to the parent or guardian.
• The school nurse or their designee is solely responsible for administering or dispensing all medications.
• A record must be maintained in the nurse’s office, documenting the date, time, and name of each medication administered. Each entry must be signed to acknowledge the transaction.
• Observations, assessments, and reports related to the use of medications and treatments will be shared with the parent or legal guardian, appropriate school personnel, and the student’s physician.

Self-Administration of Medication Guidelines

Students are generally prohibited from self-administering medication. However, a student may possess and self-administer medication for chronic diseases or medical conditions if the parent or legal guardian submits a written authorization to the school nurse or principal.

• The written authorization must be renewed and filed annually.
• A physician’s written statement must accompany the parent’s authorization.
• The physician’s statement, also to be filed annually, must include the following:
  • Confirmation that the student has a chronic or acute medical condition requiring the medication.
  • Verification that the student has been instructed on how to self-administer the medication.
  • A statement that the medical condition may require emergency administration of the medication.

To help ensure the health and safety of all students, the Duneland School Corporation follows protocols established by the Indiana Department of Health regarding casual-contact communicable diseases. School health personnel and/or the principal will exclude any student exhibiting symptoms of such illnesses in accordance with these guidelines. Casual-contact communicable diseases include, but are not limited to: COVID-19, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, scarlet fever, strep infections, whooping cough, and any other diseases identified by the Indiana Department of Health.

Students should be kept at home if they exhibit  any of the following symptoms: 

• A temperature of 100°F or higher*
• Eye inflammation or discharge without a physician’s clearance
• A cough associated with fever or a persistent, unrelieved cough
• Cold symptoms accompanied by other signs of illness
• A sore or inflamed throat with fever**
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea***
• Undiagnosed skin rashes or eruptions
• Any known or suspected communicable disease during its contagious period

*Students must be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school
**Students diagnosed with strep infections must be on antibiotics for a minimum of 24 hours and be must be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school
***Students must be free from vomiting and/or diarrhea, without the use of medication, for at least 24 hours before returning to school

Reporting Illness

If your child is diagnosed with a casual-contact communicable disease, please notify the school nurse as soon as possible. Prompt reporting allows us to implement appropriate health and safety measures to protect all students and staff.

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 is expected to assume this responsibility, except in cases of emergency when it is clear that an ambulance or emergency medical services should be called immediately. The cost of ambulance or emergency medical services is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

The principal or their designee holds the final responsibility for ensuring the safe transportation of a sick or injured student from school to their home, a hospital, or an emergency care facility. A seriously ill or injured student will not be allowed to go home unless a responsible adult is available to provide care. If all efforts to locate a responsible adult are unsuccessful, the student will remain at school.

If school is dismissed and no responsible adult can be reached, Child Protective Services will be contacted.

This section provides important resources to help parents and students understand, recognize, and manage concussions. Whether you're looking to identify symptoms, care for your child at home, or support their return to school, these CDC-recommended tools and guidelines are here to help.

• Concussion Signs and Symptoms Checklist
• Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents
• Caring for Your Child's Concussion
• Concussion Recovery Tips
• Returning to School After a Concussion

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by several viruses, most commonly Hepatitis A, B, and C. In a school setting, the most relevant types are Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, which can spread through close personal contact or contact with infected bodily fluids.

• Hepatitis A is typically spread through contaminated food, water, or poor hand hygiene. Proper handwashing—especially after using the restroom and before eating—is the best prevention.
• Hepatitis B is spread through blood and other bodily fluids. It is not spread through casual contact like hugging, coughing, or sharing food. A safe and effective vaccine is available and part of the routine immunization schedule for children.

To help prevent the spread of Hepatitis and other communicable diseases, we encourage families to follow vaccination schedules, reinforce good hygiene habits at home, and keep children home when they are sick.

If your child has a known Hepatitis infection or has been exposed, please notify the school nurse to ensure proper support and prevent potential transmission.

For more information, contact your school nurse or visit the CDC’s Hepatitis resources at https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can affect both males and females. While many HPV infections go away on their own, some types can cause certain cancers, including cervical, throat, and other genital cancers.

HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, and most people will be exposed to the virus at some point in their lives. Because the virus can be present without symptoms, vaccination is an important way to protect against potential long-term health risks.

The HPV vaccine is safe and effective, and the CDC recommends it for preteens starting at age 11 or 12, though it can be given as early as age 9. The vaccine is most effective when given before exposure to the virus.

While HPV is not spread through casual contact in a school setting, schools play an important role in promoting awareness and prevention.

For more information about the HPV vaccine or your child’s immunization schedule, please contact your healthcare provider or school nurse. You can also visit the CDC’s HPV resource page at https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/.

Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness in children and adults. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, and contact with contaminated surfaces—making schools a common place for transmission.

To help prevent the spread of the flu:

• Encourage frequent handwashing and covering coughs/sneezes
• Keep children home when they are sick
• Ensure your child receives a flu vaccine each year, which is the best protection against the virus

Symptoms often include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. If your child shows flu-like symptoms, please keep them home and notify the school.

For more information, contact your school nurse or visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that can lead to infections of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or bloodstream infections. It can progress quickly and may be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

The bacteria are spread through close personal contact, such as coughing, kissing, or sharing items like utensils or drinks. While it is not as contagious as the common cold or flu, outbreaks can occur in group settings, especially among teenagers and young adults.

To protect against meningococcal disease, the CDC recommends vaccination, which is required for school attendance in many states, including Indiana. Students typically receive a first dose at age 11–12 and a booster at age 16.

Signs and symptoms may include:

• Sudden fever
• Headache and stiff neck
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Confusion or rash

If your child shows symptoms or has been exposed to someone with meningococcal disease, seek medical care immediately and notify the school nurse.

For more information about required vaccines and prevention, contact your school nurse or visit the CDC’s page on meningococcal disease at https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can affect anyone at any time—even young, healthy individuals. That’s why Duneland School Corporation (DSC) is committed to providing a safe environment for all students, staff, and visitors.

As of the 2024–2025 school year, Duneland School Corporation is proud to announce that the district is now Project ADAM certified—a national recognition that reflects DSC’s dedication to student and staff safety in the event of SCA. This certification means DSC schools have taken essential steps to become heart-safe, including developing and rehearsing a comprehensive cardiac emergency response plan, training staff in CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) use, and conducting regular emergency drills.

In compliance with the new Indiana state law, Duneland School Corporation ensures AEDs are available and accessible at all athletic events, band performances, drama productions, and other extracurricular activities. This preparedness reflects the school corporation’s unwavering commitment to safety and well-being—because every second counts.

DSC Heart Safe School Coordinator
Brittany Smith, BSN, RN
brsmith@duneland.k12.in.us

Authorization to Administer Medication Form
Authorization to Administer Medication Form, Chesterton High School Use
Authorization to Self-Carry Form

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

Medical Exemption/Contraindication Form
Religious Objection

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