Health Services
We are proud to work in a district that is committed to the health and well-being of its students and realizes the value of having a full-time RN in each building. If we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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- Fever- A child with a fever should be kept at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication. At school, we go by the guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health which considers a temperature of 100.0 F or above a fever.
- Diarrhea/Vomiting- Please keep your child home from school until they have not had an episode of diarrhea or vomiting for 24 hours.
- Pinkeye- A child with pinkeye is considered contagious and should not be in school until they have completed 24 hours of prescribed eye drops.
- Strep Throat- A child with strep throat should stay at home until they have completed 24 hours of the prescribed antibiotic treatment.
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Medications at School
All medication will be kept in the school clinic. The only medication students are permitted to carry on themselves are inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors with a self-carry authorization form signed by his/her physician.
In order to receive medications at school, students must have the proper medication authorization forms completed. Students who receive prescription medications must have the Prescription Medication Request form completed and signed by the student’s physician and parent/guardian.
Students who are to receive nonprescription (over-the-counter medications) must either:
- have the permission to dispense OTC medications on Final Forms section completed
- or the Over-the-Counter Medication Request form completed and signed by the parent/guardian.
No medications, prescription or non-prescription, will be given to students by school personnel without the parent's/guardian’s permission as indicated on Final Forms or with proper documentation. The parent/guardian must notify the school if there is any change in the medication instructions.
All medications, including topical ointments, must be provided by the parent/guardian and be in the original container labeled with the student’s name and dosing instructions. It is advised that the medication be brought to the school by the parent/guardian. School personnel cannot administer expired medication. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to retrieve any remaining prescription medication at the end of the school year. Over-the-counter medication that does not expire over summer break can be kept at school to be available the following school year.
Required Forms for Medication Administration
- Prescription Medication Request Form
- Over-the-Counter Medication Request Form- only required for OTC medications not listed as an option to administer on Final Forms
Ohio Law regarding medication at school: ORC 3313.713
Please click the link below for an explanation on our policies and procedures regarding student medications on overnight class trips
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In cooperation with your child’s physician, please complete the form below that pertains to your child. Your child's physician may have his/her own plan of care which can be utilized in place of our forms. Emergency action plans must be signed by both the physician and a parent/guardian. Unless otherwise noted, a new plan is required each school year.
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In order to comply with the State of Ohio Immunization Guidelines, please provide the most recent copy of your child’s current immunization record upon registration. After the school nurse reviews your child's immunization record, you will be notified of which immunizations are still required, if any, for your child’s admittance to school. Ohio Revised Code 3313.671
Ohio Immunization Summary for School Attendance
Students who present a written statement from their parent or guardian declining to have their child immunized for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions, are not required to be immunized. A student must be excluded from school if an outbreak of a disease for which the child has not been immunized occurs.
Immunization Religious or Philosophical Exemption
Please note, all 7th graders must receive both a Tdap and Meningitis (A, C, Y, W-135) vaccine or have a signed exemption for these vaccines PRIOR to the 14th day of school.
All 12th graders must have a second Meningitis (A, C, Y, W-135) vaccine or a signed exemption PRIOR to the 14th day of school.
Please click School TB here for information regarding the Stark County Health Department's policy regarding tuberculosis testing for school.
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Vision and hearing screenings for students in grades K, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th will be completed in the fall. Screenings are also completed on all new students to the district regardless of grade. The screenings will be completed according to the State of Ohio Guidelines. Requirements for Hearing and Vision Screening in Schools. Students whose parents requested on Final Forms that they be exempt from these state- mandated screenings will not be screened.
Notification of results will only be sent out to those students who DO NOT pass the screening. Please contact the designated school nurse for your building with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Why is it important to have your child’s vision screened?
Young children with vision problems do not know the way that they see the world is not the way
they should be seeing it! Without early detection and treatment, children’s vision problems can lead
to permanent vision loss and learning difficulties.Why is it important to have your student’s hearing screened?
• Hearing is important for speech, language development, reading and learning.
• A hearing screening can detect if your student needs further hearing testing.
• Even if your student has passed a hearing screening previously, their hearing can change.
• Hearing problems can be related to medical problems.
• Hearing loss is invisible, and your student may appear to be not paying attention. -
Services We Provide
- Protect and promote student health, facilitate optimal development, and advance academic success
- Share vital health and prevention information
- Assess illnesses and injuries and intervene when needed
- Follow-up with parents regarding illnesses, injuries, and other student health needs
- Manage chronic diseases and provide education
- Assist with the coordination of acute medical concerns
- Participate in development of Individualized Education Plans and 504 Plans
- Develop Individualized Health Care Plans as necessary
- Administer medications
- Monitor and intervene in the control of communicable diseases
- Conduct health screenings which include vision and hearing
- Promote health education for students, parents, and staff
- Provide staff development to enhance teachers comfort levels in working with students with special health care needs
- Provide health counseling
- Act as a health care provider liaison for school/parent/community
- Identifies and intervenes in health and safety issues
- Contribute as a member of care teams
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As the Lake Primary school nurse, Mrs. Herendeen plays an active role in wellness through monthly, hands-on Guidance lessons. She brings health education to life by utilizing interactive tools like the Lysol Minilabs Science Kits to teach students about germs and illness, while emphasizing personal responsibility through lessons on nutrition, sleep hygiene, and prescription medication safety. Her curriculum extends to physical well-being, covering everything from heart health and exercise to summertime safety. To further support our youngest learners, Mrs. Herendeen coordinates specialized community partnerships, inviting Michael Mead, Jr. DDS Inc. to guide kindergarten classes through the world of dental health and the Ohio Optometric Association to provide vital education on vision safety. Furthermore, she collaborates closely with classroom teachers to lead playground safety presentations, ensuring our students are equipped with the knowledge to stay safe and healthy throughout the school year.
As the Lake Elementary school nurse, Mrs. Hibbs plays an active role in promoting health education and safety across multiple grade levels through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. She leads an intensive CPR certification workshop for 6th grade students, equipping them with life-saving skills and the confidence to respond in emergency situations. For our 4th grade students, she provides age-appropriate hygiene education that emphasizes healthy habits and personal responsibility. She also brings health education to life during school events, such as STEAM Night, where she hosts an interactive booth using Glo Germ and blacklights to demonstrate effective handwashing in a fun and memorable way.
At Lake Middle High School, school nurse Mrs. Hoover plays a vital role in preparing students for real-world medical responsibility and emergency preparedness. She works side-by-side with Mr. Ake to provide specialized ODH Hearing and Vision training to our Health Tech students, giving them hands-on experience in hands-on patient care. Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Hoover is instrumental in coordinating life-saving Stop-the-Bleed training, equipping students with the critical skills needed to respond in high-pressure situations. She further enriches the 10th-grade health curriculum by partnering with the Allison Rose Foundation, bringing in expert speakers to provide real-world insights on food allergy safety and prevention.
Our dedicated nursing team is committed to cultivating a culture of safety by providing comprehensive medical training that empowers staff to act with confidence in any situation. They lead vital certification programs in Life-Saving Interventions, including CPR, AED, and the Heimlich maneuver, while equipping personnel with the specialized skills needed for Trauma Response through "Stop-the-Bleed" training. Beyond basic first aid, our nurses facilitate hands-on instruction for Emergency Medication administration, ensuring staff are proficient in using epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens), rescue inhalers, and life-saving seizure and diabetic medications. Our nurses manage each school’s cardiac emergency response team and conduct yearly AED drills to enure a rapid, coordinated response.
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Additional resources and online information:
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Lake Local Schools is a Heart Safe School! Click here for link to news article.
We are proud to be designated as a Project ADAM Heart Safe School, meaning we have implemented a comprehensive sudden cardiac arrest preparedness plan that includes accessible AEDs, a trained emergency response team, and regularly practiced drills to ensure the highest level of safety for our students, staff, and visitors.
