“You cannot educate a child that is not healthy; you cannot keep a child healthy who is not educated.”
Dr. Jocelyn Elders, Former Surgeon General

Health & Attendance
Follow these simple tips to keep your child healthy and stop the spread of germs.

Want to know when to keep your child home?
Read the Health & Attendance brochure to learn more about common student illnesses.

(English)  (Spanish)   (Russian)

Potentially Life Threatening Health Conditions

Health conditions that are considered to be potentially life threatening are Asthma, Severe Allergies, Diabetes, Heart, Seizures, Neurological Disorders, and Bleeding Disorders. According to Washington State Law *(RCW 28A.210.320), students with a potentially life threatening health condition cannot attend school unless certain conditions are met.  Learn more and find up-to-date forms.

Medication at School

WSD recognizes that in certain infrequent cases, students must take medication at school. A Medication in School Authorization form must be completed before medicines can be administered at school

• The completed form gives authorization by the student’s parent/legal guardian 
• The form includes written instructions and signature of the prescribing licensed health care provider or dentist.
• The authorization must contain inclusive dates for each medication and any changes in the dosage or administrative instructions as they occur.
• Only medication in containers properly labeled by the licensed health care provider, dentist, pharmacist or manufacturer and brought to school by the parent or legal guardian will be accepted for administration by the school.
• Only school district personnel trained and delegated by the School Nurse are authorized to administer medication at school.

State Guideline Document for Medications in Schools

Immunizations

A new state law removes the personal and philosophical option to exempt children from the MMR vaccine required for school and childcare attendance.  Read more about state-required immunizations and forms (forms are available in English, Spanish and Russian).

Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

WSD believes participating in athletics improves physical fitness, coordination, and self-discipline and gives students valuable opportunities to learn important social and life skills. But like most activities, participation in athletics comes with risks. Washington state law requires parents/guardians of and student athletes to be informed about and made aware of the nature and risk of concussion/head injury and sudden cardiac arrest. Informed consent must be signed by parents and youth athletes about the dangers of sports-related head injuries and sudden cardiac arrest. The forms and facts sheets are linked here:.

(English)   (Spanish)   (Russian)   

Health Information and Resources

• Wahkiakum County Public Health Department
• Washington Apple Health for Kids (Free or low-cost health care coverage for eligible children)
• Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
• Washington State Department of Health
• Meningococcal/HPV Letter  (English)  (Spanish)   (Russian)
• Cowlitz County Department of Health

Educational Downloads

• Diabetes (Powerpoint)
• Anaphlaxis (Powerpoint)
• Asthma (Powerpoint)