Welcome to Lakeland Schools

Health Updates and Notices


2023-2024 COVID-19 & Respiratory Illness Protocols
23-24 LCSD Respiratory Illness Protocols (3_14_24) (2)


Important information regarding NYS required Health Examination form 

Please note - Beginning January 31, 2021 physical examinations for school per the New York State Education Department are to be documented on the NYS Required Health Examination FormPDF download or an electronic health record equivalent form. Healthcare providers were informed of this change by NYS and the form was disseminated to healthcare professional organizations.

The NYS Required School Health Examination Form will be used for New Entrants and students in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, & 11, annually for interscholastic athletics (sports), working papers as needed, and for the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE).

Parents/Guardians should bring the approved form with them to their child’s medical appointment, so it can be completed at the time of the visit.  Starting January 31, 2021 the healthcare provider must complete and sign the required form or an EHR equivalent form. A healthcare provider cannot staple another completed health exam form (which is not an EHR equivalent) to a blank NYS School Health Examination form.  Forms may be found on the district website under Departments/Health Office/Health Office Forms. Please contact your School Nurse if you have questions.  


Influenza Season

What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu usually starts suddenly and may include these symptoms:

  • Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults

* It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

If your child shows any symptoms of illness:  temperature over 100.4F° and flu-like symptoms (see above), please keep him/her home.  Notify your health care provider if there is no improvement. 

Children may not return to school unless:  

  • They are fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT medication for fever 
  • They have not vomited for 24 hours

During school, if your child is ill and/or found to have flu like symptoms, parents/guardians will be called to pick up student.  Please have updated contact numbers on file.  Emergency contacts should be local and available to pick up students promptly.  When parents call to report an absence, please identify the illness your child is experiencing including symptoms.  Absences should be called in daily by parent/guardian.   

Below are links to websites and guides containing information about the flu and flu shot:
NYS Department of Health - Fight the Flu at Home and School
NYS Department of Health Seasonal Flu Guide
CDC Everyday Prevention Guide
NYS Department of Health Flu Fact Sheet


Measles

New York State Health Department: Measles Vaccination Remains Vital to Protecting Against Highly Contagious Disease. Measles case confirmed in Ulster County. Additional information on Measles 

Additional Measles information

Winter Health and Safety Tips
Due to the recent extreme cold weather, Lakeland's school health professionals would like to share some winter health and safety tips with our Lakeland families. Children need extra attention to stay warm, safe and healthy when temperatures drop. Please review the tips provided.

Guidelines for Cold Weather Safety
Cold Weather Tips - NY.gov (NYS Department of Health) http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/cold/cold_weather_tips.htm Winter Weather Health and Safety Tips - CDC.gov (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/  


Chickenpox (varicella zoster)
NYS Department of Health Chickpox Fact Sheet


Pertussis

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious bacterial infection that can begin like a common cold, but progresses to severe bouts of coughing followed by a high whoop or crowing sound that can last for weeks or months. It is primarily spread from person to person by direct contact with mucus or droplets from the nose and throat of infected individuals.

The Westchester County Department of Health has advised us that the best way to prevent pertussis or whooping cough in your child and others is to be up to date with your vaccinations. We are thus advising that you contact your family physician to check your or your child‘s pertussis vaccine history. The CDC, New York State and Westchester County Departments of Health recommend that all children receive 5 doses of a pertussis-containing vaccine by kindergarten entry and that all individuals 10 years of age and older, including teachers and staff, receive another booster with a different pertussis-containing vaccine.

NYSDOH has a fact sheet on Pertussis and encourages all adults over 19 years of age who have or who anticipate having close contact with an infant should receive a single dose of Tdap to protect against pertussis and reduce the likelihood of transmission.

Pertussis Fact Sheet (English)
Pertussis Fact Sheet (Spanish)


Head Lice
Children should be checked periodically at home and the school nurse should be called if head lice are found. Call your health care provider for best treatment. Please inform the parents of your child’s playmates so that they can check their children’s head. As a precaution the student’s class will be checked. A note will go home to inform parents of that class. 
Head Lice Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Lice)