360-412-4830

Nurse: Amie Fowler, RN afowler@nthurston.k12.wa.us
Health Room Assistant: Wendy Ploegman wploegman@nthurston.k12.wa.us

We are here to help your students with medication, health issues, and any other concerns that you or your students may have an impact on their health and learning.

Health Room Reminders for the Remainder of the 2023 School Year

• All student medications that are kept in the health room must be picked up on the student’s last day of school. Seniors' last day is earlier than the rest of the students. Please coordinate with Wendy and Nurse Amie to get these important medications picked up. Any medication that is not picked up will be disposed of after the bell on the last day of school.
• Health forms for 2023/24 will be mailed home as part of the registration packet this summer. If your student has medication orders with the health room, you will receive an individualized packet. We like to have a new health form completed each year in case any health conditions have changed.
• Remember, medication orders are valid for a school year only. Please work on getting updated medication orders and prescription medications over the summer, so your student is ready to go in the fall.
• If you have questions or concerns, please contact Wendy, HRA at wploegman@nthurston.k12.wa.us or Nurse Amie at afowler@nthurston.k12.wa.us 

Life-Threatening Conditions

Many students have health conditions such as bee sting or peanut allergies, severe asthma, diabetes, seizures, or heart conditions that may cause a life-threatening emergency during a school day. These students must have a plan, including medication and/or treatment orders, in place prior to the first day that they will attend school. Please contact us for the necessary forms, and we will be happy to help you in this process to ensure your child's safety while at school.

Are Your Kids Ready for School?

To go to school in Washington, students must show they've had immunizations, or file a legal exemption with the school. Make sure your children are up-to-date on their immunizations.

Reminder about Medications

All medications that need to be given at school, including prescription and over-the-counter medications (medications like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, even cough drops), must be accompanied by an Authorization for Administration of Medication at School form. This form must be signed by both the parent/guardian and the physician/dentist. Medication cannot be given to your child without this completed form.  Authorization forms need to be updated at the start of each new school year. Forms can be obtained by calling the Health Room.

Vision and Hearing

If you have concerns about your child's vision or hearing, please contact the Health Room.

Emergency Contact Information

Please keep yours and your emergency contact information up-to-date with the front office.  It is extremely important that we have a way to reach you!

All health rooms will be available before school starts to drop off required paperwork and medications that need to be on file before your child can start school, such as EpiPens, diabetes orders and supplies, and critical medications. All students with life-threatening conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes, seizures) need to have orders and medications turned in before they can attend school. If you have any questions, call your school's Health Room or Office.

What about the COVID-19 Vaccination? While the state of Washington does not require a COVID-19 vaccination to attend school, we highly encourage those that can, to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others from severe complications and/or death. Find a vaccine near you: https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/

Effective since 8/1/20: All students must be compliant with updated state immunization rules in order to attend the first day of school. There is no longer a 30-day conditional status.

Download Useful Health Forms | Descargar formulario de información de salud en español

Helpful Information

• To locate or print your child's immunization record (for Washington state), go to Washington My IR: https://wa.myir.net 
• If you need a blank Certificate of Immunization: Download PDF >>  Descargar en español >>
• If you need a blank exemption form: Download PDF >>
• SeaMar Walk-In Clinic (Immunizations & other services) se habla Español
• Contact your local pharmacy for immunizations for children 7 and up
• Thurston County Department of Health Immunization Website
• WA State Department of Health Immunization Information
• District Policy & Procedure on Immunization: Policy 3413 & Procedure 3413P
• District Policy & Procedure on Medication at School: Policy 3416 & 3416P

The most important thing you can do to prevent illness is for you and your child to wash your hands often with water and soap. Keep yours and your emergency contact information current at your school in case your student becomes ill at school. Questions? Reach out to your school nurse!

• Fever: Does your child have a fever over 100 F degrees orally? Their temperature should remain normal (below 99.6 F degrees) for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medication before returning to school.
• Sore Throat: Is the sore throat accompanied by fever, headache, stomachache, or swollen glands?
• Vomiting: Has your child vomited two or more times in a 24-hour period?
• Diarrhea: Has there been more than two occurrences in a 24-hour period?
• Eyes: Are your child's eyes crusty, bright red, and/or discharging yellow or green fluid?
• Nasal Discharge (yellow or greenish): Is there colorful nasal mucus that is accompanied by a fever or other symptoms of an upper respiratory infection?
• Cough: Does your child have a persistent, productive cough?
• Appearance/Behavior: Is your child unusually tired, pale, has a lack of appetite, difficulty waking up, or confused?
• Rash: Does your child have a body rash not associated with heat, eczema, or an allergic reaction to medication?

If you answer YES to any of these questions, please keep your child home from school and consider seeking medical attention.