Health Requirements 2025-2026

Medication

All students requiring medication during the school day must have an updated medication order from their health care provider. This applies to over the counter and prescribed medication. Medication orders must be renewed yearly. These forms are available on the district website.  www.sherrard.us select departments, health services, health forms.

Birth Certificate

All kindergarteners and all students new to the district must provide an” Official” Birth Certificate. (From Court House of county where born)

Physicals

All students entering kindergarten, sixth grade, ninth grade, and entering an Illinois School for the first time are required to have a physical on the current Illinois Department of Public Health Form and signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine, a physician’s assistant, or an advanced practice nurse.  Chiropractors may not complete student school or sports physicals per Illinois School Code. The current form is available on the district web site, www.sherrard.us select departments, health services, and health forms.  All physicals must be dated on or after August 6, 2025.  The health history on the front  of the physical must be signed dated and completed by parents/guardians. Sports physicals DO NOT meet the school physical requirement. School physicals are valid for 395 days as a sports physical.

Vaccines/Immunizations

Preschool

All students entering preschool must show proof of receiving the following immunizations:

• DTP/DTaP- 3 doses by 1 year of age and an additional dose by the 2^nd birthday.
• Polio- 2 doses by 1 year of age, with an additional dose by the 2^nd birthday.
• MMR-1 dose on or after the 1^st birthday.
• Hepatitis B- 3 doses, last one administered on or after 24 weeks of age
• Hib-Children 24-59 months of age without series must show proof of one dose of Hib at 15 months of age or older
• PCV-Children 24-59 months of age without primary series of PCV, shall show proof of receiving one dose of PCV after 24 months of age.
• Varicella-One dose on or after 1^st birthday or proof of immunity

Kindergarten-fifth grade

All students entering kindergarten-5^th grade must show proof of having the following immunizations:

• DPaT/DTP -4 doses (last one after age 4) kindergarten or first entry into school.  The last dose must be received on or after the 4^th birthday. All other grades must have 3 or more doses with the last dose being administered on or after the 4^th birthday.
• Polio- 4 doses (last one after age 4)
• MMR-2 doses (first dose on or after 1^st birthday and 2^nd no less than 28 days after first vaccine
• Varicella -2 doses (first dose on or after 1^st birthday and 2^nd no less than 28 days after first vaccine or verification of having Chicken Pox.

Sixth-Eighth Grade

In addition to previous required immunizations, any child entering the sixth-8th grade shall show proof of having received one dose of the meningitis vaccine on or after age 11. In addition to the meningitis vaccine, all students entering 6^th grade must show proof of having received the Tdap vaccine on or after age 11,  and three Hepatitis B vaccines.

Ninth-Eleventh Grade

All students entering ninth grade for the first time shall show proof of having all previous required vaccines. However only 3 polio vaccines are required. For the 26-27 school year, 4 polio vaccine will be required for students entering 9^th grade. 

Twelfth Grade

In addition to previous required immunizations, all students entering the 12^th grade shall show proof of having received two doses of the meningitis vaccine prior to entering the 12^th grade. The first dose shall have been administered on or after the 11th^th birthday. and the second dose shall have been administered on or after the 16^th birthday. If the first dose is administered, when the child is 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required.

Vision Exams

All students attending an Illinois school for the first time, including all kindergarten students must have a current vision examination performed by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist.  Vision exams must be provided to the school by October 15 of each school year.

Dental Exams

All students in kindergarten, second, sixth, and ninth grade must have a current dental exam, completed by May 15 of the current school year. Dental exams must be completed after November 15, 2024.
The Mercer County Health Department organizes a school-based dental clinic, typically held in the spring. This clinic offers dental exams, sealants, cleanings, and fluoride treatments for students who have submitted completed parental permission forms. The dental team includes a licensed dentist and dental hygienists.

Student forms

Physical forms, medication order forms, dental and vision exam forms are available on the school district web site www.sherrard.us, go to Departments, select Health Services, Health Forms and then select the desired form(s).

Students not in compliance with physical and immunization requirements will be excluded from school per state requirements. New students have thirty days to complete health requirements. Please provide completed physicals by the first day of school.  Students not in compliance by October 15, 2025 will be excluded from school until requirements are met.