School Nurse
Mercer School Nurse
Medications at School
Taking meds at school regularly or as needed? We must have an ‘Authorization for Medication’ form on file with the school nurse. Yes, this even includes Tylenol and Ibuprofen as well as allergy meds and inhalers. You can stop by my office or download the authorization for medication form from the district website.
The medication authorization form must be renewed each school year and allows students to carry their inhalers and leave a supply of other medication (in original container) in the nurse office.
Families are strongly encouraged to keep a 3-day disaster supply of meds (in original containers) at school in the school nurse office along with their consent forms.
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
SPS uses the SDQ questionnaire to identify students who can benefit from support, referrals, and extra planning. When students are struggling academically it is especially important to find out if there are barriers to learning that need to be addressed.
We are delighted to have a tool that is well established, accessible to parents and older students, translated into many languages, simple to use and helpful to guide decisions about the best student support.
There are many circumstances where this tool may be useful for your child such as academic or social problems or when a student has been referred for special education services. If any of these problems appear, the school nurse may use the tool to screen for possible barriers.
Parents are invited to review the SDQ tool where they may also complete a parent report.
If you do NOT want the SDQ given to your child please call or email the school nurse with your student’s name and they will send an exemption form to complete and return.
Vision and Hearing Screening
These screens are routinely done for all 7th graders and upon request when a concern is expressed by student, parent or teacher.
Immunizations
Immunizations are important to keep all our students safe and healthy and are required for school attendance.
Students in middle school are required to have:
- 3 doses Hepatitis B
- 5 doses of Dtap PLUS 1 dose Tdap if student is 11 years old or older
- 2 doses MMR
- 2 doses of Varicella (chickenpox) or parent report of disease.
- 4 doses of polio
Non compliant students will be excluded from school. Immunizations are available from your provider/clinic or the School Based Wellness Center. Contact me for any questions or to update your student’s immunization status.
Immunizations that are not required by state law but are necessary for your child’s well being include: Meningococcal (MCV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and Hepatitis A.
Free and Reduced Breakfast & Lunch – Food isn’t the only benefit!
If your student is eligible for free/reduced lunch please complete the form you received in your first day packet, ask for another, or download the free/reduced meal application from the SPS website.
All students need the option of a healthy breakfast and lunch to fuel their brains and be successful at school. Studies show that kids who eat breakfast do better in school than kids who don’t. This includes better math and reading scores, better classroom behavior and better attendance.
Important Health Information
Immunizations Up to Date?
Washington State Law requires every student to provide proof of immunization compliance to attend school. If you received a letter from Health Services about immunizations your student needs for school, please make sure your student receives the immunization(s) listed in the letter or provide documents to indicate exemptions.
Send the immunization record to the school nurse or have your health care provider fax the record to the nurse.
Life-Threatening Health Conditions
If your student has a life-threatening health condition (Diabetes, Allergies, Seizure disorder, Asthma, etc.), the following items must be provided on or before the first day of school:
- Life-Saving Medication
- Medication Authorization forms
- Treatment Supplies
To ensure your student’s health and safety during the school day, Washington State Law requires that your student be excluded from school until these items are received by the school nurse. Please let your school nurse know if you have any barriers to providing these items so they can offer support.
See SPS Policy 3413 for more information regarding the exclusion process.
Annual Student Health Updates
Please report any health issue your child has that could impact safety and learning to the school nurse.
How to complete the Annual Student Health Update form:
- Visit The Source
- Complete a paper copy of the Annual Student Health Update form
- You may also contact the nurse directly by phone or email
Medication Form
Ask your health provider to complete the Authorization for Medications Taken at School.
- Each medication requires its own form
- Your health care provider must sign the form
- You must sign the form
This is required for ALL medications.
Medication
All medications must be in their original container and labeled with the student’s name. Prescription medication must have a pharmacy label.
Emergency medications must be in the building on or before the first day of school.
Check medication expiration dates! Try to get medications that will last the entire school year.
Flu Shots Help Save Lives!
Schedule a flu shot for your student and family members. Here’s how:
- Contact a School-Based Health Center (students only)
- Seek care from your healthcare provider
Watch for announcements for upcoming flu shot clinics.
Protection from Respiratory Illness
- Get vaccinated
- If you feel sick, stay home
- Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
- Wash your hands frequently
- Keep hands away from your face
Register Your Student for a School-Based Health Center
Your student can go to any School-Based Health Center within the district. Please call the clinic to make an appointment.