Dear Titan Families,

As we embark on the uncharted waters of the 2020-2021 school year, we will be redefining “normal” in many different ways. From a health office perspective, there are a few very important procedural changes that we have implemented to keep our students and staff as healthy as possible.

Please take a moment and review these changes and discuss them with your student so they will be aware of what to expect.

• Every health office will operate from a RED ZONE, YELLOW ZONE perspective. Acute injury first aid and medication will be administered in the YELLOW ZONE. Any student with potential COVID -like symptoms will be sent to the RED ZONE for evaluation. You will be called to pick up your child if they exhibit COVID -like symptoms. We ask that you give us several available emergency numbers to call if you are not able to pick up your child. We are asking for a 30 minute maximum pick up time.

• Medications should be given at home unless the dose absolutely requires it be given during the school day. A note from the medical provider and parent will be required for all medications including over the counter (OTC) meds.

Medication must be delivered to the school by a parent or guardian.

• Nebulizer treatment will not be performed in the school setting. Please consult with your child’s Medical provider in advance to receive a prescription for a dry powder inhaler or MDI (meter dosed inhaler) WITH A SPACER. Spacers will be required in the school setting because of aerosolization issues. Please note, we will not accept an inhaler without a spacer.

• There will be NO OTC medication provided by the health office at any grade level. This includes but is not limited to: Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Tums and Cough Drops. These OTC medications may potentially mask COVID symptoms and will not be administered. The exception to this change would be a medical provider’s written order for the use of OTC medication for a specified reason. Examples include: menstrual cramps, migraine headaches, dental procedures or post- op/post- injury pain management.

• Students who are ill should not attend school in person. To ensure the health of all students and staff, secretaries will be asking a few brief questions when you call to report your child absent in the morning.

• We will be following the CDC and Pott. County Public Health guidelines for any student who exhibits COVID-like symptoms. Ill students may return to school using those same guidelines but will need to check- in with the health office prior to re-entry to school to ensure the guidelines have been met. Those guidelines are posted on the District website.

• If your student has increased health risk or is immunosuppressed, please contact the respective district RN for your child’s building prior to the start of school to discuss and review your child’s situation.

• There are currently NO immunization exceptions (other than religious or medical exemptions). All IDPH immunization requirements are in effect on the first day of school. Please review immunization requirements in our handbook. As a reminder, students must have a recent Tdap and meningitis vaccine BEFORE starting 7th grade and 12th graders must have the meningococcal conjugate vaccine after age 16.

Please feel free to reach out to the respective building RN if you have any questions regarding the changes for this year. Please remember, all protocols are fluid and can change at any given time or day. We are all traveling in the same boat on these uncharted waters, but with patience, understanding and grace, we will get through this together.The entire health staff of LCCS wish you and yours a healthy year.

Sincerely,

The Lewis Central District Nurses

Deb Blodgett, RN: dblodgett@lewiscentral.org- High School and Kreft

Amy Hallam, RN: amy.hallam@lewiscentral.org- Middle School and Titan Hill