Health Services Information - Munster High School

Our primary focus is on the health and well-being of your child. The goal for our staff is to provide our students with appropriate treatments to keep them at school and in class.

General Information

Health Screenings

Vision screenings:

Measurement of Visual Acuity only (Distance and Near) are completed annually for all students in 1st grade or any student with a suspected visual defect can be performed by the school nurse and/or health assistant. A Modified Clinical Technique are visual tests performed on all 1st Grade students by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Hearing screenings:

Hearing screenings are completed annually for all students in 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th grades; a student who has transferred into the school corporation; and a student who is suspected of having hearing defects.

Based on State of Indiana referral recommendations, parents/guardians will be notified by a referral letter if a concern is identified during the screening process. Further medical evaluation will be recommended and should be obtained.

Immunizations

The Lake County Health Department offers an Immunization Clinic Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Hours are subject to change. Please call 219.755.3658 for more information.

IN State Department of Health Required and Recommended School Immunizations

According to Indiana Code 20-8.1-7-10.1 (c) (1): When a student enrolls for the first time in a school corporation, a statement of the student's immunizations will be supplied to the school by a parent or guardian. This record must show that the student has received at least the minimum number of immunizations at the required intervals for the student's age. Students may not attend school until required immunizations are up to date.

Immunization Exemptions

The Indiana State Department of Health will allow objections to immunizations to be based on the following:

Medical
A physician’s certification that a particular immunization is, or may be detrimental to the child’s health is required. This must be in writing from the physician (M.D., D.O. or Nurse Practitioners), signed by the parents and renewed on a yearly basis.
Religious
A written statement that the objection to immunizations is based on religious grounds is required. This must be signed by the parents and renewed on a yearly basis. In the State of Indiana, there is no exemption allowed for philosophical objections.

Permission forms are available at your school's nurse's office and in the area below marked Health Services Forms.

Please refer to the STM policy 5320 - Immunization for further information.

Medications at School

Medication Requirements

All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications must be FDA-approved and will be kept in the school health office. Your child may not carry any medication at school. All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications must be in the original container with the current pharmacy or package, labeled correctly with the most current date, student’s name, dosage, frequency and match the current doctor’s orders on file with the health office. At no time will medications be transported by a student. Any change in prescription medication, dosage or time to be given must be in written form from the parent with an accompanying doctor’s order.

Written permission with instructions from the parent/guardian are required for all prescription and OTC medications. Permission forms are available at your school's nurse's office and inn the area below marked Health Services Forms.

Emergency Medications

Your child may not carry any medication at school, with the exception of inhalers, diabetic supplies and epinephrine (Epipen). These emergency medications may be carried only with written permission from your child's physician and from the parent/guardian.

Students in Pre-K through 4th grade will keep emergency medications in the nurse’s office unless we have a physician’s note indicating the medication should be carried by the student. Students administering emergency medications outside of the nurse’s office will report to the nurse that the medication was administered.

Return of Medications to Parent/Guardian

Medications must be picked up in the health office by a parent, guardian, or designee who is at least 18 years old and with written permission from the parent/guardian. Medications (with the exception of emergency medications with permit to carry) CANNOT be sent to school or sent home with a student. Failure to comply with this may result in disciplinary action for your child.

Health Requirements for Entry to WWMS and MHS

School Physicals:

Required for all new students and those in 6th and 9th grades.
Updated Immunization Record Required.
Must have Indiana state required series of immunizations (or a current written medical or religious objection form on file).
Must be completed after May 1st to be valid for the school year.
Must be completed and turned into the main office or school nurse by August registration.

Athletic Physicals (MHS Students ONLY):

Athletic physicals are created by the IHSAA and are separate forms from the school physical.
You can get them from the Athletic Office or from the School Town of Munster website.
Athletic physicals must be completed after April 1st to be valid for the school year.

Suggestions Regarding Physicals:

Make your doctor appointment early.
Keep a copy of all health documentation for your records.
Stay updated on immunizations.

Physical Education:

The State of Indiana mandates that all students take 1 year of physical education in high school to graduate.
Students who do not have a school physical examination form on file will not be permitted to participate in PE. They will be removed from class or receive a grade reduction for the first grading period.
If your child has a short-term or long-term physical limitation, a modified program of PE can be planned, but there must be documentation from the physician stating the parameters of the limitations.

Health Services Forms

Medications

Physical Forms

Elementary Physical Exam Form
WWMS and MHS Physical Exam Form
IHSAA Physical Form - IHSAA physicals for the 2023/2024 school year must be dated on or after April 1, 2023. *Required for MHS Athletes only.

*PLEASE NOTE:
The IHSAA physical is a completely separate physical form than what is required by our school nurse and for PE participation. Please return the IHSAA physical directly to the Athletics Office NOT the Main Office! Only the original form is accepted – we do not accept copies or faxes.