Health and safety

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, informed by the CDC and Washington Department of Health.

Health and safety are our shared responsibility: all members of the Lakeside community have a responsibility to take care of themselves and others.

Please note that Lakeside protocols may change if public health guidelines change or if a new outbreak occurs in our community, defined as 10% of our population testing positive for COVID-19 at one time.

Health and safety updates

Illness Policy

Prioritizing wellness fosters an optimal learning environment for all members of our community. When you don’t feel well, the main priority will always be to rest and heal. We expect that all students, employees, and visitors stay home if they’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Fever: Keep individuals with a temperature of 100°F or higher at home. They may return after being fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea: Students should stay home until 24 hours after the last incident of vomiting or diarrhea.
Persistent cough: Keep students with a cough (unrelated to asthma, seasonal allergies, or known health condition) at home until significantly improved, and consider having them wear a mask upon returning to school until the cough has resolved.
COVID-19: When determining when it is safe to return to campus, please follow the comprehensive illness policy outlined on this page, noting the sections on ongoing masking, hygiene, and safety measures.
Sore throat: Stay home if the sore throat is accompanied by fever, cough, or gastrointestinal symptoms until feeling better and fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
Rash: Rash illnesses can be difficult to diagnose and the itchiness of a rash is not a signal of its infectiousness or non-infectiousness. Especially if your student has a fever with a rash that is itching, weeping, oozing, or widespread, please contact your doctor so they can determine if your child can safely attend school.
Contagious diseases*: Stay home until treated and/or cleared to return by a licensed prescriber.
- This includes illnesses such as chicken pox, strep throat, mono virus, norovirus, whooping cough, pink eye, impetigo, ringworm, hand/foot/mouth, scabies, etc. In illnesses with lesions, lesions must be crusted over before the student is permitted to return to school. Students with head lice must begin treatment but do not require elimination of nits to return to school.

*If your student is diagnosed with a contagious disease such as the above-mentioned, norovirus, or varicella, these all must be reported to the School Nurse. Email Joy Irvin at nurse@lakesideschool.org, so that appropriate procedures and contact notifications can be made if necessary.

Communication and absences
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

Masking, hygiene, and safety measures

We seek to emphasize to our students that wearing masks is part of 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.

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. As of March 1, 2024, CDC guidelines strongly recommend wearing masks and practicing social distancing for five days following a COVID infection or any other viral respiratory illness. The five days are intended to start when a student is returning to school. We encourage proper cough and sneeze etiquette, covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow. Individuals should wear properly fitted masks.

We promote regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or the 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.

Medications

Policy overview

Whenever possible, we encourage you to schedule medication doses 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.

At Lakeside School, we prioritize fostering independence and responsibility among our students, including the management of their medications. Please familiarize yourself with our medication policy below:

Upper School:

All students are expected to self-carry their medications.
Additional doses can be stored in the Upper School Health Room upon request.

Middle School:

8th grade: Students are expected to self-carry their medications. Additional doses can be stored in the Middle School Health Room upon request.
5th-7th grade: Self-carrying medication is standard. However, medications can be stored in the Middle School Health Room upon request if parents/guardians or licensed prescribers are uncomfortable with students assuming this responsibility. Transition to self-carry is anticipated by 8th grade as preparation for the Upper School.

To facilitate this process, we kindly ask parents/guardians to complete the "Medication at Lakeside School" form in 🔗August Schools. This ensures we are informed in the event of side effects or emergencies.

For students who self-carry and self-administer medication, please discuss the following points with them:

Adherence to the healthcare provider’s medication order and/or manufacturer’s labeling.
Proper medication administration technique.
Personal responsibility for medication: Medication is 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 while at school.

For students who disclose the self-carry and self-administration of controlled medication at school, the school nurse will conduct a mid-year check-in to ensure continued safe practice. Permission for self-administration may be revoked if the student fails to adhere to the safeguards established above.

We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a safe environment for all students. For any questions or further assistance, please contact us.

Nurse-administered medications or medications stored in the Health Room

Storage for students in grades 5-7, or duplicate storage

Students with medications unsuitable for self-administration or self-carrying will have their medication stored in the nurse's office.

Each medication must be accompanied by the form "Medication at Lakeside School," signed by the parent/guardian and prescribing provider. This form will be stored physically with the medication and digitally on Magnus.

The form covers short-term and as-needed medications, prescription medications (e.g., medications for ADHD, migraines, depression), and over-the-counter meds used during school hours. If the child has an Action Plan covering prescribed medication, no additional form is needed for the same medications.

These forms are intended to encompass all medications used during school hours, but we urge parents/guardians to plan in advance for medicine your child may need for school-sponsored overnight trips and after school programming. Please reach out to the nurse if you have questions about your child accessing their medication during these times, so we can work together with your licensed prescriber to ensure we have detailed instructions.

An authorized medication form must be completed and on file at Lakeside before medication can be stored or administered.

Medication storage guidelines

Medication must be stored in its original pharmacy-labeled container or manufacturer’s package.
When there's a change in medication dosage, a new prescription container label should be requested to replace the outdated dosage label. Parents/guardians should ask the pharmacy for an additional container/label when picking up the prescription.
Once in the Health Room, the school nurse will work to ensure all medications are stored properly:
- Medication is stored per manufacturer’s direction.
- Access to non-emergency medication is restricted to the school nurse and staff trained to administer medications.
- All non-emergency medication is stored securely in locked storage.
- Controlled medications will be stored in an additional locked container for safety.
- Medication requiring refrigeration is not stored with food.
- Emergency medications are stored securely with a plan for quick access.

Parent/guardian responsibilities:

All medications, except for acetaminophen and ibuprofen, must be provided by the parent/guardian to the school or student. The school does not provide other over-the-counter medications.
Lakeside employees will not cut tablets/pills. If a student’s medication requires cutting, parents/guardians should cut the pills before delivering the medication to the school nurse for storage.

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.

Magnus Health

🔴 IMPORTANT NOTICE: MAGNUS HEALTH IS BEING DISCONTINUED AT LAKESIDE🔴

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, Magnus Health will no longer be used at Lakeside.

Only families with students in GSL or Outdoor Programs this summer need to use Magnus for trip-specific forms.

All other families can ignore Magnus and will complete health forms in August Schools only.

For more information about August Schools, including links to support resources, visit the August Schools tab on the Health & Safety page or email nurse@lakesideschool.org.

An image of the Veracross family portal's home screen

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.

Need help?

Magnus Health's end user support team provides support to parents and guardians. To access help resources, submit a ticket or call 919-502-7689 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET.

Student Health Forms and August Schools

Lakeside School uses August Schools to securely manage student health information, including required medical documentation, emergency contacts, and health authorizations.

With August Schools, families can:

Upload signed paper forms (e.g., immunization records, medication authorization, sports medical eligibility)
Complete required health documentation online
Track outstanding health form requirements

How Parents/Guardians Log In

From the Family Portal in Veracross: Click the Health Portal button to open August Schools in a new tab without logging in again.
From the Lakeside Parents & Guardians page: Use your Lakeside username and password (same as Veracross) to log in to the health portal. Alternatively, you can request a one-time login code. If it doesn’t arrive immediately, try waiting about 5 minutes or checking your junk folder.
Troubleshooting access to the August Schools Portal – Step-by-step instructions for generating a login link and troubleshooting access.

🔗 Access the August Schools Portal

Resources from August Schools

We encourage you to explore the following resources to help you get started with August Schools:

Annual Health Enrollment FAQs – Guidance on entering medications, conditions, provider information, troubleshooting issues, and adjusting language settings.
Using the Portal FAQs – Answers to common questions about navigating the portal and completing health forms.

Language Support: August Schools can be used in multiple languages. Families can change the portal language using the built-in translation tool. See this help article for instructions.

Need Help?

Visit the August Schools Help Center or email support@augustschools.com. For school-specific questions, contact nurse@lakesideschool.org.

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 August Schools 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 August Schools 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 August Schools.

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.

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 August Schools by the Health Packet due date, often June 1 or Aug. 1. 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

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 student’s health information is securely stored in August Schools, a platform built with HIPAA-grade encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), single sign-on (SSO) through Veracross, and best-in-class security protocols. Access to medical information is limited and role-specific, ensuring only those with a need to know can view relevant records. For example, a teacher may be granted temporary, limited access for a field trip, maintaining both student safety and data confidentiality. Your child’s privacy is our priority, and August Schools is designed to protect that privacy at every level.

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.

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 August Schools. If you have issues, contact Joy Irvin at nurse@lakesideschool.org.

What if I need language support?

August Schools can be used in multiple languages. Families can change the portal language using the built-in translation tool. See this help article for instructions.

If you need additional assistance, you can contact Lakeside’s Family Support Team at familysupport@lakesideschool.org. They can help arrange on-demand telephone interpretation or schedule an in-person interpreter as needed.

Dietary Restrictions

If your child has specific dietary restrictions or requires individualized or medically advised meal plans, we want to ensure that you have the resources needed to support their health and well-being at school. The Touch of SAGE app provides detailed nutritional information for all menu items offered through SAGE, which can be especially helpful in managing conditions like allergies, Celiac disease, diabetes, and more.

To access this information, you can use the following code: S0258 (please note that the first character is a zero, not the letter “O”). This code is primarily needed when accessing the SAGE website, though it is typically not required for the app.

Allergens and cross-contact

You can review the menu online and in the Touch of SAGE app. Use the allergen and eating patterns filter on the menu to filter out any of the top 12 allergens you’d like to avoid, as well as to highlight vegetarian and vegan dishes. For more information on each menu item, select the dish to access its full ingredient list.

While there are shared spaces in the kitchen — such as refrigerators, freezers, and ovens — SAGE follows strict protocols to reduce the risk of cross-contact and cross-contamination. This includes frequent glove changes and consistent use of clean utensils and cutting boards when transitioning between preparing meat- and nonmeat-containing recipes.

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.