School Nurse Services

Lead Nurse

Molly Henning, RN

Phone: 509.468.3512

What services to School Nurses Provide?

A student’s ability to learn is tied directly to their health. Some fortunate students may never have to visit a school nurse during the span of their education. Others may visit the school nurse once or twice for an injury or illness. However, some students rely on school nurses for ongoing health needs such as juvenile diabetes, epilepsy, or physical conditions. As a result, the role of school nurses now goes far beyond school-centered support—today’s school nurses play a vital role on the front lines of public health.

Nurses provide the following services (and much more!):

  • Provide first aid care and health assessment;

  • Write care plans and coordinate the care of students with chronic or acute health conditions;

  • Communicate with teachers and staff to ensure the safety and well-being of students;

  • Administer medications and monitor delegated medication administration;

  • Assist in the evaluation of students for Special Services (Special Education);

  • Coordinate and provide vision and hearing screenings;

  • Assist families in accessing health insurance and health care services; and

  • Educate and train staff on: asthma, life-threatening allergies, diabetes, epilepsy, and bloodborne pathogens.

Information about Immunizations

All Deer Park students must be up-to-date on their childhood immunizations, in accordance with Washington State requirements. Families should complete and submit a Certificate of Immunization to their child’s school. School nurses routinely review student records to ensure immunizations are up-to-date.

There have been a few changes in the immunization requirements in the past couple of years.   As of July 1, 2008 all students entering kindergarten will be required to have had two Varicella (chicken pox) vaccines, have Health Care Provider (HCP) documentation of the disease, or show immunity through serological testing in order to attend school.  This requirement will be moving up to include students in 1st grade as well during the  2009-2010 school year.  Students in 2nd and 6th grades are required to have a Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, have parental documentation of the disease, or show immunity through serological testing in order to attend school.

As of June 9, 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adopted the recommendation that all children receive 2 doses of mumps vaccine in order to be properly immunized against the disease.  This is a change from the previously recommended single dose.  Therefore, in the state of Washington, as of July 1, 2007, children kindergarten through 12th grade are required to show proof of vaccination with 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, or have a properly documented exemption.

A new vaccine is available that can protect adolescents against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap). The Tdap vaccine is recommended for all children aged 11 years and older. This vaccine should replace one tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster.  As of July 1, 2007, children attending 6th grade are required to show proof of Tdap vaccination if it has been five years since receiving a tetanus-containing vaccine (DTaP, DT, or Td).  Each school year, from 2007-2013, the Tdap requirement will expand a grade until by 2013 it will include all students in grades 6 – 12.

There are two vaccinations that are optional for adolescents to receive.  One is the Meningococcal Vaccine that will prevent certain types of meningitis. Anyone can get Meningococcal Meningitis, but pre-teen and teen are at greater risk and five times more likely to die compared with other age groups.  Schools in Washington must make information available on Meningococcal and Human Papillomavirus diseases to parents or guardians of all students entering Grades 6-12:  You may download a helpful flyer using this link – Meningococcal Disease and Prevention. Health official recommend vaccination for pre-teens and teens 11 through 18 years of age and college freshman living in college dormitories.

The other vaccination to consider is the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine, which has been shown to prevent pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix.  If you want more details about these vaccines please open the parent letters we received from the Washington Department of Health.

Here is where you can access your child's immunization information from the State of Washington. Department of Health - Washington. A student’s ability to learn is tied directly to their health. Some lucky students may never have to visit a school nurse during the span of their education. Others may visit the school nurse once or twice for an injury or illness. However, some students rely on school nurses for ongoing health needs such as juvenile diabetes, epilepsy, or emotional and physical disabilities. As a result, the role of school nurses now goes far beyond school-centered support—today’s school nurses play a vital role on the front lines of public health.

Document Title

Description

Certificate of Immunization

This is the official form for recording your student's immunizations. We must have this form on file for every student.

Certificate of Exemption

This is the official form to fill out to exempt your child from immunizations for Personal/Religious Reasons.

Medication Request Form

This form must be completed and signed by a licensed health provider in order for a student to have medications at school.

Asthma History

This form is to provide school personnel with history of a student's asthma including triggers and symptoms specific to a student.

School Asthma Plan & Medication Orders

This form must be completed for students that have asthma requiring the use of an inhaler or nebulizer. The form provides complete instructions for staff to handle asthma issues at school.

Allergy History

This form is to provide school personnel with information about a student's allergies including symptoms specific to a student as well as information about past reactions.

Allergic Reaction/Anaphylaxis Plan and Medication Orders

This form must be completed for students who have allergies that potentially require the use of an epi-pen. It provides complete instructions for staff to handle allergy emergencies at school.

Seizure History

This form is to provide school personnel with a history of a student's seizure disorder including symptoms specific to a student.

Seizure Care Plan and Medication Orders

This form must be completed for students that have a seizure disorder. This form provides complete instructions for staff to handle seizures at school.