Health Information

Good health and learning go hand in hand. Longview Public Schools strives to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all of its students, and we invite our entire education community to join our efforts!

Please familiarize yourself with the following health-related information, and contact your school health room staff with any questions.

Immunizations

Washington state law requires a completed and signed Certificate of Immunization Status form on file at school by the first day of your child’s attendance.

Please note the immunizations required for school registration, and if you have any questions, contact the school nurse.

Please visit the Washington State Department of Health website for vaccine information, school requirements, and forms.

Important Immunization Forms & Information:

Medically Verified Immunization Records

Are your kids ready for school?

What vaccine records will my school accept?

Emergency Contact Information

Illness

Regular attendance is an important part of student success, but keeping sick students at home can help prevent the spread of illness. Students who attend school are expected to participate in all parts of the school day, including recess and PE. If your health care provider has restricted activity for your student, please send a physician’s note to school indicating both the duration and the type of restriction.

Please check the following symptoms to determine if your student should stay home for the day.

APPEARANCE/ BEHAVIOR- Unusually tired, no appetite, hard to wake, or confused. Keep your student home and call your health care provider if the condition is concerning.
COLD AND/OR COUGH- Students need to be able to cover their cough to be at school. If a cough or cold persists for more than two weeks, the student may need to be seen by their health care provider.
DIARRHEA- Two or more watery stools in 24 hours, especially if the student acts or looks ill. Students should stay home for 24 hours after the last watery stool.
EARACHE- If ear discharge is present or the student has a fever, and/or is unable to participate in school.
EYES- Drainage, vision change, and/or redness of the eyelid, itching, pain, or sensitivity to light. This may be a sign of “pink eye” or Conjunctivitis. The student needs to be checked by their health care provider.
FEVER- Temperature of 100° F (38° C) or higher. Students need to be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school WITHOUT medications to reduce fever.
HEADACHE- A headache in and of itself is not a reason to keep a student home from school. However, if the headache is persistent and the student is not able to participate in classroom activities, the student should stay home.
INJURY/ SURGERY- If students are unable to concentrate due to pain or pain medication, they should stay home. Letting the school nurse know in advance of any planned surgery will be helpful.
RASH- Bothersome body rash, especially with fever or itching. Some rashes may spread to others. Your student should be checked by your health care provider.
SORE THROAT- Difficulty swallowing, eating, sometimes with a fever. Students should stay home and be checked by their health care provider if it persists for three days or more.
VOMITING- Vomiting two or more times in 24 hours. Students should stay home for 24 hours after the last time they vomited.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS about whether or not your student is healthy enough to come to school?
Many insurance companies have a 24-hour nurse available by phone – check the back of your insurance card to see if this is a service your insurance company offers. This resource will help you determine if your child should stay at home or seek medical attention. You may also contact the school nurse or your child’s health care provider.

REMEMBER that frequent hand washing and covering coughs can also help protect everyone.

Print version:

Too Sick for School?

Spanish Print version:

Too Sick for School - Spanish

Medications

Washington State Law (RCW 28A.210.260) prohibits staff members from administering medications to students without the following:

All medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, need a current, unexpired physician’s written order. The order needs to include the name of the medication, dose, and directions. The order needs to be signed and dated.
Parent/guardian must complete, sign, and date the Parent Request portion of the form.
Medication must be in its original container and properly labeled by the pharmacy with the student’s name, time, and dosage.
Medication label MUST match the physician’s order.
Parent/guardian will need to transport the medication to school. Medication should never be transported by the student.

No medications of any kind (including Tylenol, Benadryl, cough drops, etc.) are kept in the health rooms for distribution to any student.

Medication orders must be renewed every school year.

Life-threatening health conditions

If your child has a life-threatening health condition that might require medical services at school, you must immediately notify your principal or school nurse. A time will be arranged for you to meet with the principal and the school nurse prior to your child attending school.

Children with life-threatening conditions, such as severe bee stings or food allergies, severe asthma, diabetes, severe seizures, etc., are required to have a medication or treatment order and nursing plan in place before they start school. The medication or treatment order must be from the child’s licensed health care provider.

If a medication or treatment order is not provided, the school’s chief administrator is required to exclude the child until such order is received, whether the student is new to the district or already attending the school. These exclusion procedures are in accordance with the rules (WACs) of the State Board of Education.

The law defines a life-threatening health condition as one “that will put the child in danger of death during the school day if a medication or treatment order and a nursing plan are not in place.” Read more at RCW 28A.210.320.