Skip to main content

VH Nelson Elementary School

Empowering all students to succeed in a changing world

Health Requirements

Health Requirements

  Health Examination & Immunization Record
Due: First day of school
(exam dated within one year before the first day of school)
Eye Exam
Due: October 15
(exam dated within one year before the first day of school)
Dental Exam
Due: May 15
(exam dated within 18 months of the due date)
Preschool X    
Kindergarten X X X
Grade 2     X
Grade 6 X   X
Grade 7 X (athletes only; physical is valid for one year)    
Grade 8 X (athletes only; physical is valid for one year)    
K-8 New to Illinois X X (Only if entering Kindergarten, Second, or Sixth Grade)

The State of Illinois requires that parents present to the school a current physical and immunization record for a child entering preschool, kindergarten, 6th grade, or new to a school. This information is required to be provided to East Maine 63 by the first day of school. 

Failure to comply with the above requirements by the first day of school of the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the school, subject to certain exceptions. 

Failure to comply with the above requirements by the first day of school of the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the school, subject to certain exceptions. If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving a required immunization by the first day of school, the student must present, by the first day, an immunization schedule and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay. The schedule and statement of medical reasons must be signed by an appropriate medical professional.   

Eye Examination: All students entering kindergarten or to an Illinois School for the first time must present proof before October 15 of the current school year of an eye examination performed within one year prior to entry of kindergarten or the school. Failure to present proof by October 15 allows the school to hold the student’s report card until the student presents: (1) a completed eye examination, or (2) proof that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15. This exam must be performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist, separate from the brief exam during a regular pediatric visit.

Dental Examination: All children entering kindergarten, 2nd, 6th, and 9th grades must present proof of having been examined by a licensed dentist before May 15 of the current school year. Failure to present proof allows the school to hold the child’s report card until the student presents: (1) proof of a completed dental examination, or (2) that a dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 15. 

Exemptions - A student will be exempted from the above requirements for:

  • Religious or medical grounds if the student’s parent/guardian presents to the building principal this Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption to Required Immunizations and/or Examinations Form. Exemptions will not be approved without this form. 
    • Please be advised that in the event of an outbreak or your child’s exposure to a disease for which mandatory vaccination is required, your child will be excluded from school for the length of time recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health and/or the Cook County Health Department. In any other instance where the State or County Health Department recommends or requires unvaccinated students to be excluded from school, your child will be excluded, consistent with that recommendation or requirement.
  • Health examination or immunization requirements on medical grounds if a physician provides written verification. 
    • If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving a required immunization by the first day of school, the student must present, by the first day, an immunization schedule and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay. The schedule and statement of medical reasons must be signed by an appropriate medical professional.
  • Eye examination requirement if the student’s parent/guardian shows an undue burden or lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or a licensed optometrist.
    • Failure to present proof by October 15 allows the school to hold the student’s report card until the student presents: (1) a completed eye examination, or (2) proof that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15. This exam must be performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist, separate from the brief exam during a regular pediatric visit.
  • Dental examination requirement if the student’s parent/guardian shows an undue burden or a lack of access to a dentist. 
  • Failure to comply with the above requirements by the first day of school of the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the school, subject to certain exceptions. If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving a required immunization by the first day of school, the student must present, by the first day, an immunization schedule and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay. The schedule and statement of medical reasons must be signed by an appropriate medical professional.   

    Eye Examination: All students entering kindergarten or to an Illinois School for the first time must present proof before October 15 of the current school year of an eye examination performed within one year prior to entry of kindergarten or the school. Failure to present proof by October 15 allows the school to hold the student’s report card until the student presents: (1) a completed eye examination, or (2) proof that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15. This exam must be performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist, separate from the brief exam during a regular pediatric visit.

    Dental Examination: All children entering kindergarten, 2nd, 6th, and 9th grades must present proof of having been examined by a licensed dentist before May 15 of the current school year. Failure to present proof allows the school to hold the child’s report card until the student presents: (1) proof of a completed dental examination, or (2) that a dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 15. 

  • Exemptions - A student will be exempted from the above requirements for:

    • Religious or medical grounds if the student’s parent/guardian presents to the building principal this Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption to Required Immunizations and/or Examinations Form. Exemptions will not be approved without this form. 
      • Please be advised that in the event of an outbreak or your child’s exposure to a disease for which mandatory vaccination is required, your child will be excluded from school for the length of time recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health and/or the Cook County Health Department. In any other instance where the State or County Health Department recommends or requires unvaccinated students to be excluded from school, your child will be excluded, consistent with that recommendation or requirement.
    • Health examination or immunization requirements on medical grounds if a physician provides written verification. 
      • If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving a required immunization by the first day of school, the student must present, by the first day, an immunization schedule and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay. The schedule and statement of medical reasons must be signed by an appropriate medical professional.
    • Eye examination requirement if the student’s parent/guardian shows an undue burden or lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or a licensed optometrist.
      • Failure to present proof by October 15 allows the school to hold the student’s report card until the student presents: (1) a completed eye examination, or (2) proof that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15. This exam must be performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist, separate from the brief exam during a regular pediatric visit.
    • Dental examination requirement if the student’s parent/guardian shows an undue burden or a lack of access to a dentist.