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Health & Illness Policy

For Spark Academy families

Keeping every child healthy is a shared responsibility between our families and our team. The guidelines below help us protect the whole Spark Academy community — and they make it clear what to expect if your child becomes ill at school.

At a Glance

  • Keep your child home if, within the last 24 hours, they’ve had a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, diarrhea or vomiting, an undiagnosed rash, or abnormal discharge from the eyes, ears, or nose.
  • Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
  • If your child shows symptoms at school, we’ll call you right away — please arrange pickup within one hour.
  • After a communicable illness, a written note from your child’s physician is required to return.

Illness

Any student becoming ill, or having exhibited signs in the previous 24-hour period of an oral temperature of 100.4° or greater, intestinal irritation accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting, an undiagnosed rash, or abnormal or excessive discharging from the ears, eyes, and nose, shall not remain at school, nor will be admitted to the school for classes, until they are symptom-free for 24 hours.

Spark Academy will notify parents/guardians immediately after observing any signs of such ailments. After notification, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to arrange to pick up their child within one (1) hour.

Any student exposed to or who has contracted any communicable or infectious disease shall not return until the disease is treated by the student’s physician as listed in the Enrollment Application, or other health care professional, and is no longer contagious. Spark Academy will require written notice from the physician or health care provider treating any such disease or infection, validating that the student is able to return to classes and is no longer contagious with that disease.

Communicable & Contagious Diseases

Spark Academy will immediately report, in writing, any occurrence of a contagious disease your child may have encountered, either directly or indirectly, through any type of contact. Any student who is absent because of a communicable disease must have written authorization from a professional healthcare provider confirming that the child is no longer contagious before returning to classes.

Immunization & Medical Records

Students

To maintain a healthy campus, you must submit your child’s most recent immunization and medical records before attending the first day of classes. In addition, each student’s medical records must be updated each year in accordance with Illinois State Law.

The medical report shall indicate that the child has received the immunizations required by the Illinois Department of Public Health in its rules (77 Ill. Adm. Code 695, Immunization Code). These include poliomyelitis, measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenzae B, hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox) — or proof of immunity according to the requirements in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 690.50 of the Department of Public Health rules (idph.state.il.us).

In accordance with the Child Care Act of 1969, a parent may request that immunizations, physical examinations, and/or medical treatment be waived on religious grounds. A request for waiver shall be in writing, signed by the parent or parents, and kept in the child’s record.

Staff

Spark Academy recommends that all staff be vaccinated per CDC guidelines.

Questions?

If you have any questions about our health and illness policy, please reach out — we’re always happy to help.

Spark Academy
1989 N Morton Ave
Morton, IL 61550
[email protected]
309-291-3292