On Tuesday, October 13th, Lake Forest High School will formally welcome students into the building. We are excited to see our students and for the “building” to start feeling more like a “school” again.
We anticipate that students and staff will be excited to see each other. We know that many students are choosing to be a part of the e-hybrid model because they want to see friends and teachers, receive in person instruction, and have a social outlet during the day.
Lake Forest High School is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all students and staff. This requires that we commit to having a physical environment that complies with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines and that staff enforce behavioral expectations set forth as protections against the spread of the coronavirus. As stated before, those are the 3 W’s: 1) Wash your hands regularly, 2) Wear a mask at all times inside the building, and 3) Watch your distance, maintaining at least 6 feet between other persons.
In partnership with our families, we are sharing what you and your student(s) can expect regarding our Health Services Office protocols for maintaining safety guidelines while providing access and treatment to students during the day.
Symptom Screening
The IDPH mandates all schools and districts to conduct COVID-19 symptom screening for all staff, students, and visitors entering school buildings. LFHS has implemented a self-certification process that requires individuals or parents of students under 18 years of age to answer specific questions related to symptoms and situations associated with COVID-19. The links for these surveys are available on our school homepage and must be completed before the student arrives on campus. Students that have not completed the screener or are screened out upon answering the questions will not be permitted to enter the building.
Health Services Protocols
Efforts will be made to eliminate unnecessary visits from students, staff, and visitors to reduce congestion, infection exposure, and to allow for 6 ft. distancing. Students with common health conditions, or those who need basic first aid should NOT report to Health Services. Basic first aid supplies will be provided to classrooms.
Healthy students presenting for medical management will be treated in Health Services. This includes but is not limited to:
- Medication administration (Nebulizer treatments should be administered at home or have parent consult with MD for alternative asthma medication delivery system).
- Diabetic blood glucose management.
- Injury & medical assessments and treatment.
The hallway outside Health Services will be accessible only for students and staff seeking to enter the office. No one may enter the Health Office until called. Students can enter the Health Office solely based on the nurse’s assessment and judgement. If students are unable to attend class due to any NON-COVID-19 related symptoms, the guardian will be called to pick them up.
Quarantine Room/Sending Persons Home
PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY ARE NOT FEELING WELL. If a student, upon being screened at Health Services, presents with COVID-19 symptoms, they will be escorted to the Quarantine Room and guardians will be contacted to pick them up. Guardians will be required to be available for pick up in as short a time as possible (preferably within 15 minutes) to reduce the time their symptomatic student is in the building. Per IDPH guidelines, any siblings of symptomatic students will be required to be picked up.
Symptoms of COVID-19 That Mandate a Student Be Sent Home or Denied Building Access
- Fever (100.4°F or higher),
- new onset of moderate to severe headache,
- shortness of breath,
- new cough,
- sore throat,
- vomiting,
- diarrhea,
- abdominal pain from unknown cause,
- new congestion/runny nose,
- new loss of sense of taste or smell,
- nausea,
- fatigue from unknown cause,
- muscle or body aches.
IDPH Return to School Guidance
Health Services will remain in contact with families whose students have gone home with symptoms of COVID-19. A plan for the students' return will be discussed in line with the IDPH guidelines listed below.
