“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.
Immunization Information
IMMUNIZATION OF CHILD CARE AND SCHOOL CHILDREN AGAINST CERTAIN VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES Chapter 246-105 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) concerning school and child care immunization policy. These rules apply to all public and private schools and licensed child care centers in Washington State.
The office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) has released the 2022-2023 changes, Here is the quick reference guide
Washington State Department of Health - School and Child Care Immunizations is a great reference for any questions you may have.
The Washington State Department of Health also has an Immunization School Manual you may find helpful.
On or before the first day of attendance, The school must receive proof of the Childs:
-
full immunizations,
-
initiation of schedule of immunizations, or
-
certificate of exemption, current with the 2020 state requirements.
-
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)
A completed and signed Certificate of Immunization Status CIS (English) (Russian) (Spanish) is required to be on file at the school, preschool, or child care facility.
The Washington State Department of Health offers MYIR for secure, online management of family immunization records. Once you register, you can access the records anytime and even print your child's certificate of immunization status (PDF) for school entry. Register here for MYIR
Certificate of Exemption English Spanish Russian
Certificate of Immunization Status English Spanish Russian
School Immunization Requirements English Spanish Russian
Wahkiakum School Board
Policy 3413
Procedure 3413
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.
RSV Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States.
Medication at School
WSD recognizes that in certain infrequent cases, students must take medication at school. A Medication at 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
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:.
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