by Joy Irvin, school nurse
Health and safety
S
tudent health and safety is a top priority at Lakeside School. The school has established programs and practices that enable us to take care of each other by building community and wellness. We regularly review and update our procedures to meet best practices.
Health and safety are our shared responsibility: all members of the Lakeside community have a responsibility to take care of themselves and others.
Last updated Feb. 8, 2024.
Health and safety updates
Need help?
Questions about school safety can be directed to Director of Community Safety David Buerger, at communitysafetydept@lakesideschool.org and 206-440.2794. On-duty security personnel can be reached at 206-730-8299.
Lakeside’s student and family support program is equipped and prepared to respond to the social-emotional development and health needs of our students and families. Working in partnership with parents and guardians, the members of the team teach students to advocate for themselves and empower students to care for their minds and bodies. Learn more about student and family support.
Questions about school health policies and practices can be directed to Lakeside’s school nurse, Joy Irvin, at nurse@lakesideschool.org. Contact your medical provider if you have questions about your child’s health.
COVID-19
In October 2022, Governor Inslee declared that COVID-19 is no longer a state of emergency in Washington. Thanks to widespread vaccination efforts, new medical treatments, and dedicated work by our community, we have made great progress in reducing the threat of COVID-19 over the past few years. We have now entered an endemic phase of managing COVID-19. Our policies are primarily informed by the CDC and Washington Department of Health. They are subject to change if a new outbreak occurs in our community, defined as 10% of our population testing positive for COVID-19 at one time.
- What to do if your child tests positive for COVID-19
- What to do if your child is exposed to COVID-19
What to do if your child tests positive for COVID-19
Students who test positive for COVID need to follow the isolation and precautions laid out by the CDC. Contact your medical provider if you have questions about your child’s health. Contact Lakeside’s school nurse or family support program if your family needs assistance with masks or antigen tests.
How you can communicate with the school about your student's status:
- Parents and guardians should report their child’s absence through the Veracross family portal.
- Students who don’t feel well should focus on resting and regaining their health. Once a student feels well enough to reach out, they should contact their classroom teachers and advisors via email about their absence so that they can make arrangements to make up missed work.
- We ask for your commitment to honesty and integrity in following CDC guidelines, as this trust is vital to ensure the safety of your student and our community.
CDC guidelines for isolation:
- A student must isolate for five days, regardless of vaccination status.
- A student must not return to campus until after the completion of day 5.
- They may return to campus, while masked, on day 6.
To calculate your isolation period:
- If a student had symptoms of COVID-19 and tests positive:
- Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive.
- Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started.
- If a student has no symptoms of COVID-19 and tests positive:
- Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive result).
- Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested.
- If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.
- If you have additional questions about how to calculate your isolation length, please visit the CDC website for access to the "Isolation & Exposure Calculator".
Ending isolation, returning to school and masking guidelines:
- A student may end isolation after the completion of Day 5, so long as their symptoms are improving, and they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications).
- A student is required to wear a mask through Day 10 OR may unmask after two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart.
- Students are expected to adhere to the masking and unmasking guidelines throughout their school activities, encompassing athletics, meals, and campus overnight trips. In cases where a student needs to remove their mask (for example, eating), we request that they do so in a safe manner by maintaining a distance of 6 feet from others or by finding a private area for unmasking.
Ending isolation and returning to athletics:
- Student-athletes who test positive for COVID-19 are still required to follow the above masking guidelines, including during all indoor and outdoor athletic activities. We recommend that student-athletes receive medical clearance before returning to athletics after a COVID-19 infection. These recommendations align with guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics for safely resuming sports participation after a respiratory illness. Please review the AAP article linked above for additional details on why we recommend taking this step to keep your student safe.
What to do if your child is exposed to COVID-19
Please follow the CDC guidelines for exposure. Exposure includes anyone in a student's household who is currently testing positive for COVID, regardless of that household member's isolation status. It's important to note that a student can still contract COVID-19 up to 10 days after exposure. Take necessary precautions and monitor for symptoms.
- A student is required to mask for a full 10-day period following their exposure and during the time a household member is testing positive.
- A student should COVID test at least 5 full days after their last exposure, or sooner if symptoms develop.
- We ask for your commitment to honesty and integrity in following CDC guidelines, as this trust is vital to ensure the safety of your student and our community.
COVID-19 vaccination policy
While Lakeside no longer requires COVID-19 vaccinations, we strongly encourage students and employees to get vaccinated and boosted.
We strongly encourage all students and employees to receive a yearly flu vaccination.
Contact tracing policy
In alignment with current public health guidelines, Lakeside is no longer providing contact tracing or exposure notifications related to COVID-19. We are still required to report our overall number of COVID-19 cases to the Department of Health, so please continue report your student's absence through Veracross, noting their COVID-19 status.
- Please note that Lakeside protocols may change if public health guidelines change.
- If you need assistance in quickly accessing COVID tests for your student, please reach out to Lakeside's school nurse.
- If you have the time to prepare, we suggest ordering free at-home COVID tests, with each household eligible to receive up to four tests.
Magnus Health
Use Magnus Health's app to upload images of signed paper forms (certificate of immunization, sports medical eligibility, medication authorization, student living arrangements, background check disclosure, and driver acknowledgement), or complete other items on the Student Health Tracker To-Do List. The app can be installed on any iOS or Android device.
How Parents/Guardians Log In
From the Family Portal in Veracross, parents may use the Health Portal button to open Magnus Health in a new tab without logging in again.
From the Lakeside parents and guardians page, use your Lakeside username and password (usually firstname.lastname) to log in to Lakeside's health portal. These are the same credentials you use to log in to the parent portal in Veracross.
Resources from Magnus
We encourage you to review these helpful resources from Magnus Health as you familiarize yourself with their system.
- What is the Magnus Health app?
- Magnus Health mobile app - Quick Start Guide
- 3-minute mobile app video tutorial
- Can I upload records into my child's account using the Magnus Health app?
- How can I view forms within Magnus once I have submitted them?
- How to view PDF documents based on your internet browser
- Need help? Access Magnus online help resources
Illness Policy
It is important to stay home when sick in order to best take care of yourself and others.
- Communication and absences
- Symptoms and return to school guidelines
- Injuries and concussions
- Masking, hygiene, and safety measures
Communication and absences
- Parents and guardians should report their child’s absence through the Veracross family portal.
- Students should focus on resting and regaining their health. If a student feels well enough to reach out, they should contact their classroom teachers and advisors via email about their absence so that they can make arrangements to make up for missed work.
- Students who are ill or injured and will be out over 5 days should inform the learning support team so the student may receive academic support upon their return to campus.
- Tasha Campbell Chang USLearningResources@lakesideschool.org
- Meg Wolfe at MSLearningResources@lakesideschool.org
Symptoms and return to school guidelines
- If your student exhibits any of the following, they must remain home, but can return to school when symptom-free. Please note that fevers and COVID-19 have their own return-to-school timeframes.
- Fever over 100°F or chills (Must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication to return to school)
- Cough (not related to asthma or seasonal allergies)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Muscle or body aches or other persistent pain
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose (not related to allergies)
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Rash, especially with fever or itching, or a rash that is weeping, oozing, or widespread, unless cleared by a medical provider
- Head lice (until treatment is started)
- *Contagious diseases such as chicken pox, strep throat, mono, whooping cough, pink eye, impetigo, ringworm, hand/foot/mouth, scabies etc., until treated and/or cleared to return by a medical provider
- *If your student is diagnosed with a contagious disease such as above mentioned or lice, norovirus, or varicella, these all must be reported to the School Nurse. Email her at nurse@lakesideschool.org, so that appropriate procedures and contact notifications can be made if necessary.
Injuries and concussions
If your child gets injured and needs adjustments or a break from PE, please inform the all-school nurse or US athletic trainer, as well as your child’s advisor. We need:
- A note from the child's healthcare provider explaining the injury, recovery timeline, and any necessary accommodations.
- Once the child can start moving again, an updated note from the provider outlining what activities they can do. This can be included in the initial note if more convenient.
- It's essential to have a note from your child's healthcare provider stating they are cleared for physical activity. Participation won't be allowed without this note, as we must follow the provider's instructions. Parental messages alone are not sufficient due to legal obligations.
Masking, hygiene, and safety measures
- Safety when symptomatic:
- General Masking: For any student who is symptomatic, with any of the above-listed symptoms, COVID or otherwise, we request masking to minimize the risk of transmission and protect the school community.
- Social responsibility: We seek to emphasize to our students that wearing masks is a social responsibility to protect others, especially those who may be more vulnerable to severe illness. We request a collective effort to maintain a safe and healthy school environment.
- Encourage proper cough and sneeze etiquette, covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow.
- General Masking: For any student who is symptomatic, with any of the above-listed symptoms, COVID or otherwise, we request masking to minimize the risk of transmission and protect the school community.
- Handwashing
- Promote regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use of hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Hand sanitizer does not replace the need for washing hands when hands are visibly soiled or haven’t been washed after many uses of hand sanitizer in a short period of time.
Athletics Physicals
Lakeside has revised our policies on mandatory pre participation physical forms. Following Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) regulation, only students participating in Lakeside athletics in grades 9-12 will be required to submit the pre-participation physical exam (Medical Eligibility) form for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Medical eligibility form is not mandatory for other students, but please note that specific Experiential Education programs and overnight trips may require disclosure of additional health information.
For Middle and Upper School non-athlete students: Although we won't formally ask for this data, we deeply value your child's well-being and wish to emphasize the importance of advocating for your child during your healthcare appointments.
There is a three-part WIAA Physical Form, available for download in your Magnus Health account, that must be completed by the doctor at the time of your child's yearly wellness check up (physical) and must subsequently be uploaded to your Magnus Health Account. You are only required to disclose the third part of the form to the school.
The physical form consists of three parts:
- Medical History Form (pg 2-3), stays with your doctor.
- Physical Examination Form (pg 4), stays with your doctor.
- Medical Eligibility Form (pg 5), submit to school. Kindly ensure that this form is fully filled out, with both a healthcare professional's signature and the relevant box properly checked.
According to WIAA, pre-participation physical exams will remain valid for twenty-four (24) consecutive months to the date unless the physician indicates the physical is good for less than twenty-four (24) consecutive months. For each subsequent twenty-four (24) month period the student-athlete shall furnish a statement or physical examination form signed by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination that provides clearance for continued athletic participation. The student is not eligible for participation in any school-associated athletic program until the completion and submission of this form, and no expectations are to be made.
The process of scheduling your child’s annual wellness exam appointment with a doctor and getting this form submitted can take a few weeks. We suggest that you schedule your appointment in May and upload the completed form right after the appointment.
If you previously submitted a physical yearly, your due date will be adjusted on Magnus.
Questions about completing the form or physical? Please contact Antonio Gudiño or Dejah Coleman, head and assistant athletic trainers, at LakesideAT@lakesideschool.org or 206-440-2889 or 206-440-2705.
Medications
Whenever possible, we encourage medication doses to be scheduled during non-school hours. For students who require medication during school hours or short-term school-sponsored overnight trips, see Washington State Law requirement RCW 28A.210.260:
- ALL medication (including over-the-counter) administered at school requires the authorized signature of a parent/guardian and licensed Health Care Provider.
- Medication must be in its original pharmacy container or manufacturer’s packaging and labeled with:
- Student’s Name.
- Name and Strength of medication (including dosage).
- Time and method of administration.
- Duration/frequency of administration
- Medications other than oral, eye, ear, or topical may need to be administered by a licensed nurse. Epinephrine auto-injectors (Epi-Pen, Auvi-Q) are an exception. Please contact your school nurse for more information.
Use the “Medication at Lakeside School” form, found on Magnus, to document medications not covered by specific Action Plans (e.g., Allergy, Asthma, Diabetes, Seizure). It includes short-term and as-needed medications, prescription meds (e.g., ADHD, migraines, depression), and over-the-counter meds used during school hours. If your child has an Action Plan that covers their prescribed medication, you do not also need to fill out this form for those same medications. For field trips or school-sponsored events that extend beyond regular school hours, the parent/guardian is responsible for obtaining a medication authorization form with specific instructions for the extended hours.
Lakeside provides Tylenol/acetaminophen and Motrin/ibuprofen, administered by the school nurse with proper documentation.
Other over-the-counter meds must be provided by the student/parent/guardian, with options for storage in the Health Room or self-carry following guidance from their prescribing healthcare provider. Students often request various over-the-counter medications for use during school hours, including but not limited to oral and topical products such as diphenhydramine/Benadryl, cetirizine/Zyrtec, cough drops, calcium carbonate/Tums, and hydrocortisone cream. Authorization from a healthcare provider will be necessary for these medications.
An authorized medication form must be completed and on file at the student’s school, before medication can be given.
Action plans
While Lakeside School is a private institution, we voluntarily adopt the standard of safety outlined in the law applicable to public schools (RCW 28A.210.320) concerning children with life-threatening conditions, reflecting our commitment to maintaining a similar level of safety and care for our students. 'Life-threatening conditions' refer to those posing a danger to a child's life during the school day without a valid medication or treatment order (“Action Plan”). Life-threatening conditions include: asthma, allergies, diabetes, and seizure/epilepsy conditions.
Please ensure your student possesses the necessary medications as outlined in the Action Plan either on their person or securely stored with the school nurse in the Health Room on or before the first day of school. If a student with such a condition lacks this documentation and medication at school, Lakeside's administration is required to exclude them until the necessary documentation and medication is provided. Prior to exclusion, parents and guardians will receive notification detailing the requirements and steps for compliance. Providing the appropriate Action Plan grants Lakeside’s School Nurse authority to administer required care, as mandated by RCW 18.79.260(2).
Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring their child's access to emergency medication beyond school hours. Note that no nurse will be available beyond 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For after-school activities extending past these hours, plan for your child's medication and inform the supervising adult about their needs. Coaches are trained in CPR/First Aid, as well as Epi-Pen training. If self-carrying medication isn't feasible, explore alternative methods for after-hours access. Additional coordination might be necessary for overnight trips involving adults caring for your child off-campus.
Self-administration guidelines
For a student authorized to self-administer medication, parents/guardians please review and discuss the following guidelines with your child:
- Adherence to the healthcare provider’s medication order.
- Proper medication administration technique.
- Personal responsibility for medication, not to be shared with other students.
- Limiting daily carry to one day’s supply, except for multi-dose devices (like inhalers).
- Notifying the school nurse if symptoms persist, recur, or side effects are suspected.
Do I need to inform the school about all the medications my child takes, even if they are not for a life-threatening condition?
The decision to disclose your child's medications, and what they are prescribed for, rests with you as a parent/guardian. The exception to this is if your child has a life-threatening condition, which requires an Action Plan be provided. However, sharing this information greatly assists us in comprehensively supporting your child at school. Even medications not related to life-threatening conditions can have significant side effects that may affect your child's school experience. Working together with your doctor to arrange prescriptions for school might prompt discussions about the necessity for a Student Support Plan (SSP) or Individual Health Plan (IHP), further supporting your child's academic advancement. These plans aim to provide necessary support within reasonable means and are never intended to impede your child's growth. Additionally, having this information is crucial in case of emergencies. If medications are not disclosed, Lakeside School and its personnel are not liable for any related claims or judgments during my child's self-administration.
Immunizations
In accordance with Washington State law, students will not be allowed to attend the first day of classes unless the following conditions are met.
- An updated immunization record must be on file in Magnus Health by Thursday, June 1, 2024. If you have previously provided an immunization record to Lakeside, you do not need to submit another; however, if any changes are made, we require an updated copy. All new families must provide an immunization record. You can find the immunization record form here.
- Students must be current in their vaccinations. Learn about the Washington State Health Department's required vaccines for 2024-2025.
OR - The student must provide a medically verified Certificate of Exemption, available from the Washington State Department of Health website.
A medically verified Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form is a:
- CIS printed by a health care provider from the Washington State Immunization Information System (IIS). This is medically verified by the Immunization Information System.
- CIS printed from MyIR which is a free Department of Health site that allows families to view and print their official immunization records themselves. This is medically verified by the Immunization Information System. You can access your child’s immunization record at any time at MyIRMobile.com. First-time users will need to register. Users who previously had an account on MyIR.net should be able to use those credentials to log in and access immunization records after connecting your mobile phone number to your account.
- CIS completed by hand.
- Must be verified with a healthcare provider signature
OR - Must have medical vaccination records attached so they can be verified for accuracy by school staff
- Must be verified with a healthcare provider signature
If your child is on a delayed schedule, also have your child's health care provider complete and sign the Certificate of Exemption. Contact school nurse Joy Irvin at nurse@lakesideschool.org for more information.
Enrollment FAQs
Why is it important to disclose health information to your child’s school?
Disclosing this information is crucial to prioritize your child's safety at school and school events. It enables us to be well-prepared for emergencies. It's essential to note that disclosing this information to Lakeside complements, rather than replaces, the need to inform your doctor and create an action plan.
Who sees this information?
School healthcare professionals, including nurses, athletic trainers, and counselors, primarily view this data. It may be shared with Lakeside staff and medical professionals as needed while respecting confidentiality. The Student Support Team (SST) uses it to support your child, and it's essential for experiential education, particularly during extended trips.
How is your student’s medical information kept private?
Your child's information is securely stored in Magnus Health, fully encrypted and compliant with HIPAA and FERPA. Access is limited and tailored to each user, ensuring the utmost privacy and security. Users with access are restricted to specific permissions of the software. For example, a teacher may be granted short-term access for a field trip, maintaining the confidentiality of your information. Magnus also tracks user activity to monitor who accessed what information and when.
Why does Lakeside request student health information for their activities, and how does it promote child safety?
Lakeside requests student health information primarily to enhance safety. This includes both the standard school day and extended trips like backcountry and international experiences. This data is essential for tailoring support and ensuring a safer, more inclusive learning environment. It also plays a crucial role in preventing and managing health-related incidents, including allergies, anxiety, and chronic conditions. Disclosing health details is vital for safeguarding every child, customizing support, and fostering safety and inclusivity.
Does providing this information exclude a child from participation in activities?
No, providing this information does not necessarily exclude a student from Lakeside activities. It's essential for understanding student health issues, considering accommodations, and being well-prepared for emergencies. Completing the requested information honestly, accurately, and comprehensively is of utmost importance for our decisions to be informed. This not only ensures the safety of your child but also contributes to the overall well-being and preparedness of all children during potential crises. We want to make sure our staff are prepared and equipped to manage your student’s crisis, as well as manage all other students in each activity. Achieving this level of readiness is challenging without complete disclosure.
What is the Vital Health Record (VHR), and how do we use it?
Parents or guardians can use Magnus's secure web portal to complete a Vital Health Record (VHR) for their enrolled child at Lakeside. Once done, this record stays in place throughout the child's enrollment, needing only yearly updates. The VHR replaces a required physical submission and helps us plan and support your child. It's also essential for informing emergency personnel if needed. Your transparent input is crucial for us to assist your child effectively. In the future, we aim to simplify field trip forms, educational trips, and other school events using this VHR tool. Please take care to fill out this form intentionally and thoughtfully.
How should I prepare the school to provide care for my child who has a life-threatening condition? (For example: allergy, asthma, diabetes, seizure)
While Lakeside is a private school, our policy is to adhere to safety standards outlined in state law RCW 28A.210.320, which addresses medication or treatment orders for students with life-threatening conditions. If a student with a life-threatening condition lacks the necessary documentation or medication, they will not be allowed to attend school until the documentation and medication is provided. You are required to submit complete documentation for your child’s action plan by or before the first day of school or your child may be excluded from school until we have the proper documentation and medication. You can find a blank copy of your action plan on Magnus. If you have issues, contact Joy Irvin at nurse@lakesideschool.org.