Dr. Jenny Sterpin, executive director of Special Education, Compliance, and Grant Management | Lake Forest Schools
Dr. Jenny Sterpin, executive director of Special Education, Compliance, and Grant Management | Lake Forest Schools
Lake Forest School District 67 has issued spring health reminders from its Health Services Office, providing guidance on managing the flu season. The announcement, made in a press release on April 15, 2025, includes information on prevention, precautions, and management tips.
According to the district's press release, there is a significant increase in student and staff absences due to illness, particularly confirmed cases of Influenza B (flu B). Symptoms of the flu can appear one to four days after exposure and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and fatigue. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks and by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. Individuals with the flu can remain contagious for up to seven days or longer for children and those with weakened immune systems.
To mitigate the spread of flu within schools, the district recommends that students exhibiting flu symptoms stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications. Parents are advised to contact healthcare providers if their child shows flu symptoms since antivirals are most effective within 48 hours of onset. Additionally, frequent handwashing, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, and wearing masks if symptomatic are encouraged. Schools have increased cleaning efforts and are tracking illness trends while promoting basic hygiene practices.
The Health Services Office supports student health through on-site nursing care and coordination with families. Each school has a health office staffed by registered nurses under the supervision of a district nurse who oversees overall services. Families are asked to update contact details to facilitate timely communication. Key resources include protocols for food allergies, concussions, immunizations, cardiac emergencies as well as mental health support.
Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 serves approximately 1,600 students in grades Pre-K through 8 across three elementary schools—Cherokee Elementary (K-4), Everett Elementary (K-4), Sheridan Elementary (Pre-K-4)—and Deer Path Middle School (5-8). The district’s mission is to inspire and empower students to maximize growth and cultivate respect for others in a dynamic learning environment.
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