Lynnfield School Nurses

Back to School Health and Safety Updates 2022/23

WELCOME BACK!!

We hope everyone had a healthy and relaxing summer and found opportunities to be outdoors, enjoy the warm weather, and connect with family and friends. The School Health Offices are open and ready to welcome all of our students!

As a department, we are welcoming a few new additions to the nursing team, as well as had some movement between buildings for this year. We are very excited to have Risa Ferrara as our new Lynnfield High School nurse and Aly Levesque as our part-time district nurse. Chris Sheils will be transitioning from the Summer Street School to the Lynnfield Middle School, Caitlin McCarthy will be transitioning from Huckleberry Hill School to Summer Street School, and Suzy DePalma will be the full-time nurse at Huckleberry Hill School. In addition, Heatha Schena, who has been tirelessly subbing in the health offices and assisting with our vaccination clinics and health screenings, will continue in this role with the nursing department this year.

COVID-19

As we transition to a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves getting closer to pre-pandemic norms. With COVID-19 vaccines now readily available, treatments accessible to those at higher risk of severe disease, and widespread availability of home self-tests, the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines given to school districts by MA DPH/DESE have significantly diminished. On August 15, 2022 , the Massachusetts Department of Secondary and Elementary Education updated their guidance on COVID-19 matters. The full memo can be accessed here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop.html . Please review the LPS COVID-19 protocols/guidelines for SY 22/23 below.

While isolation protocols for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are still in place, most other mitigation strategies have ended. Social distancing is no longer recommended, mask mandates have been lifted, close contact guidelines have been eliminated, and the state-wide COVID-19 school testing program has concluded. As we move forward, it is still important that our students and families adhere to the COVID-19 protocols and traditional health and safety guidelines in order to keep both students and staff safely in school.

If your student is not feeling well we ask that you keep them home until they have been fever free for 24 hours and their symptoms improve. If they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that they have a negative test (at-home tests are acceptable) before return. Since no negative results are required to be submitted to the nurse for your student to return to school, we are depending on our families to partner with us to keep all of our students and staff members safe. Any positive results should be reported to the building nurse, so that a return to school date can be given.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership to keep our school community healthy and safe!

LPS COVID-19 Guidelines/Protocols

This is the guidance provided by DESE and DPH for the 2022-2023 school year. The state is no longer funding tests so we will not be sending them home with students this year.

Health and Safety Reminders

Please notify your students school nurse of any health concerns. It is important that we are informed of any allergies, respiratory or other health concerns that may affect your student during the school day. We have transitioned to PowerSchool, a new student information system, so please make sure that all of your students medical forms have been uploaded and necessary medical documents filled out/signed. This includes the "R4 Health Information Update & Medical Authorizations" that you can find in the "Forms" section of PowerSchool. This gives us permission to treat, share information, and administer over-the-counter medications (grades 5-12). This needs to be completed for every student, even kindergartners.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

We remind you to provide the school with at least three emergency contact persons who can pick up your student if needed during the school day.

LPS Life-Threatening Allergy Guidelines

Medication at School

ALL medication orders (including Epipen orders) must be renewed by the physician at the beginning of each school year. The following must be on file in the Health Office before medication can be given: signed parent/guardian consent form; and a medication order signed by the prescribed clinician. Our medication administration procedures and consent forms are linked below.

All medications must be brought to the Health Office in the original pharmacy labeled container by an adult prior to the first day of school. Students may NOT carry any medications, including Tylenol and inhalers, without a doctor’s order. Your school nurse will provide you with these documents.

LPS Med Administration Procedures & Consent Forms

Immunizations/Physical Exams

Immunization policy adherence is more important than ever, as well as maintaining your student’s regular preventative medical care. If you haven't already done so, please upload your student’s current Physical Examination form from their health care provider, including immunizations and medical updates, to your students PowerSchool account. This is required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Please note, we will be holding a flu clinic for all students and families, Wednesday October 4th from 3:00pm - 7:00pm at the Lynnfield Middle School. More information will follow regarding registration.

We will also be holding COVID-19 vaccination/booster clinics throughout the year.

Screenings

In accordance with Massachusetts state regulations, we will be conducting annual health screenings throughout the course of the year. Notifications of all screenings will be sent home to parents/guardians before the screening occurs.

Vision and Hearing Screening for 9th grade students will occur on September 19th during picture day. Please reach out to Risa Ferrara , School Nurse, if you have any concerns regarding this screening or would like to opt your student out.