Health and Wellness

EMS Campus

The philosophy at Landmark is "wellness” not sickness, and the health staff maintain an open and nurturing environment.

The Landmark School Nursing staff attends to the medical needs of students in a holistic manner. In the event of an emergency, students are transported to Beverly Hospital using the Town of Manchester’s ambulance service. The school physician in Manchester, the Beverly Hospital Emergency Room, and other specialists are available as needed for student emergencies.

Contact

Elementary•Middle School Health Center
Shari Gallant, R.N., nurse manager

Karen O'Neil, R.N. 
Per Diem: Lisa Kaplan-Distasio, RN and Mark Graham, RN

Phone: 978-236-3107
Fax: 978-236-3103
Health Center Hours: Monday–Thursday 7:15 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Fridays 7:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (on scheduled school days)

Health and Safety Protocols

Health and Safety protocols are subject to change based on guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Department of Early Education and Care which regulates our residential program, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. 

Illness Guidelines

In order for a student to return to school after an illness (COVID and others), they must meet the following criteria:

  • fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication
  • without vomiting for 24 hours and able to tolerate food
  • without diarrhea
  • showing marked improvement in illness symptoms
  • mask-wearing is recommended for those with a lingering cough

We want everyone to feel empowered to take additional, reasonable precautions, including masking and will respect and support those personal choices.

When to stay home from school graphic

COVID-Specific Protocols

We expect that you will use your best judgment in keeping yourself and our community healthy. At this point, masks are optional on Landmark School's campuses. 

As recommended by the CDC, all individuals are encouraged to stay up-to-date with vaccination. Landmark is strongly encouraging vaccination as an important public health and mitigation strategy

COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 symptoms include:

  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose/congestion (not due to other known causes, such as allergies)
  • New cough (new and not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • *Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • *New loss of taste or smell
  • *Fever of 100°F or higher 
  • *Chills or shaking chills 
  • *Muscle or body aches ("flu-like")
  • *Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea 

COVID Testing
If you present any of the symptoms above, don't assume it is seasonal allergies or a common cold. Take an at-home rapid antigen test or PCR test. If any test is negative, come to school and continue to monitor for persistent or additional symptoms of illness. Please note that COVID often takes 2-3 days of symptoms before being identified by an antigen test.

COVID-Positive Protocols

  • According to the most recent CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines, a COVID-positive individual should isolate for a minimum of five days followed by mask wearing on days 6-10. Individuals may test out of mask-wearing during days 6-10 with two negative COVID tests that are 48 hours apart.
  • Learn more about Positive Cases & Close Contacts at Landmark School.
Athletic Clearance After Testing Positive for COVID-19
  • Students who are asymptomatic or who have mild symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and may return to athletics on day 6 if their symptoms are improved, they have no fever without the use of medication, and they mask for days 6-10 of their infection. Masks are required on days 6-10, even outdoors, when COVID-positive individuals are in close proximity to others for an extended amount of time. However, students may test out of mask-wearing with two negative COVID antigen tests 48 hours apart after day 5.
  • Students who have a moderate to severe case of COVID-19 will need a note from a doctor in order to return to athletic play.
  • These guidelines are consistent with those of the American Association of Pediatrics.

Please be thoughtful about your choices. Remember that we have a responsibility to each other to monitor our health, exposure to others with COVID-19, and staying abreast of school health and safety policies.

Please click on the following topics for more detailed information for the 2023-2024 Academic School Year:

Medications

All medications, prescriptions and over-­the-­counter, are to be administered by the nurses in the health center unless another plan is approved by the nursing staff and PCP. Medications may be administered by staff who have been trained in dispensing procedures.

Participation in Class

In the absence of a physician’s note, the nurse on duty will determine whether a student is to remain in the Health Center for illness or be excused from a specific class or sport. If a student has been excused from class for the day, he or she will not be permitted to participate in afternoon activities.

Communication

Whenever necessary, parents will be notified by a telephone call or email to keep them informed of medical problems.

    Physical Examinations

    A complete, up-to-date annual physical examination is required for your child to enter school and must be kept current, within 13 months, for participation in school activities and athletics. It should be reported on the "Physical Examination & Immunization Form" (see link in Medical Forms below), or one provided by the examining physician, and include a record of all required immunizations. Without this examination, we cannot enroll your child. 

    PLEASE NOTE: Failure on the part of parents/guardians to meet these requirements will render us unable to register your child in our programs. This policy applies to all students, whether new or returning, and will be strictly enforced.

    Immunizations

    In accordance with the School Immunization Law, Chapter 76, Section 15 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, you are asked to read the following. The Law specifically requires a completed IMMUNIZATION RECORD, unless the physician has determined that the child’s health would be endangered by these immunizations and has sent a written authorization to that effect.

    *SECTION 15

    “No child shall, except as hereinafter provided, be admitted to school except upon presentation of a physician’s certificate that the child has been successfully immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, and poliomyelitis and such other communicable diseases as may be specified from time to time by the Department of Public Health.”

    “A child shall be admitted to school upon certification by a physician that he has personally examined such child and that in his opinion the physical condition of the child is such that his health would be endangered by such vaccination or by any of such immunizations.  Such certification shall be submitted at the beginning of each school year to the physician in charge of the school health program.  If the physician in charge of the school health program does not agree with the opinion of the child’s physician, the matter shall be referred to the Department of Public Health, whose decision will be final.”

    “In the absence of an emergency or epidemic of disease declared by the Department of Public Health, no child whose parent or guardian states in writing the vaccination or immunization conflicts with his sincere religious beliefs shall be required to present said physician’s certificate in order to be admitted to school.”

    Medical Changes and Continued Care

    If your child returns to school with a new medication, has been hospitalized, or has been seen by a physician for any reason that requires continued care (i.e., illness, orthopedic injury) a physician’s written explanation of diagnosis and treatment must accompany your child and be brought to the Health Center to ensure continued and correct treatment. No verbal explanation by the student will be accepted.

    Screenings

    Parents are encouraged to have vision, hearing, and postural screenings (Dept. of Public Health) completed by a child’s physician or by the school nurse at your public school.

    The recommended schedule of screenings:

    Vision Screenings: annually grades K - 5; once in grades 6 - 8; once in grades 9 - 12.
    Hearing Screenings: annually grades K - 3; once in grades 6 - 8; once in grades 9 - 12.
    Postural Screenings: annually grades 5 - 9

    Medical Forms

    Below are links to printable medical forms required by the EMS Health Center.

    In accordance with the School Immunization Law, C.76, Sec. 15, Massachusetts General Laws, as amended, students must show dates of their immunization history upon enrollment at Landmark.

    Counseling Services

    Counselors are available to all Elementary­•Middle School students so they can make the most of their Landmark education. Services provided include individual and group counseling, consultation with teachers and parents, psycho-educational class groups, and delivery of the Relaxation Response Program.

    Learn More