Allergies

Not all allergies are created equal. Mild, springtime allergies such as reactions to pollen do not need to be reported. Severe and life-threatening allergies require documentation and need to be reported to the school nurse.

Examples of allergies that should be reported:

• Insect (i.e. bee stings)
• Dairy
• Nuts (i.e. peanuts)
• Shellfish
• Eggs
• Any other allergies that require the use of Epinephrine (EpiPen)

If your child has special dietary needs due to their allergy, accommodations can be made with nutrition services. Click here for more information.

Life-Threatening Conditions

Life threatening conditions puts the child in danger of death during the school day without medication or treatment and a nursing plan in place (see Washington State law RCW28A.210.320)

Examples of these conditions include:

• Diabetes
• Severe allergies
• Epilepsy/seizure disorder
• Severe asthma
• Cardiac/heart conditions

School nurses will work with parents, students and health care providers to create a care plan for these situations.

Vaccinations required by Washington state law for school attendance

Washington state law requires pre-school and school age children to receive specific immunizations in order to attend school.  Richland School District works with the Washington State Department of Health to comply with state laws on required vaccinations.

Richland School District participates in the School Module, an online system managed by the state to maintain student vaccination records. Most children born and/or vaccinated in Washington state already have their information in School Module. You can access your child's record at any time by signing up at https://wa.myir.net/register. Learn more about how to access your child's records from the Washington State Department of Health's website.

The responsibility for a child meeting immunization regulations falls to parents, including foster parents and guardians. Parents should keep accurate and up-to-date immunization records for their children. Parents must submit a complete Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) which is required for their children to attend school or preschool.  Schedule your child’s vaccination appointments well in advance of the new school year to ensure that your child has received all the vaccines required for school attendance. 

Required documentation

Washington state law requires that all children show proof of immunization or certification of exemption to attend school.  Students cannot start school without the required documentation.

View vaccination requirements and other resources from the Washington State Department of Health.

Medication is defined as all drugs whether prescription or over-the-counter. If your health care provider has ordered medication to be taken by your child while he or she is at school, the following conditions must be met:

1. The parent must submit an Oral (or Injectable) Medication Authorization Form, signed by a licensed health care provider and the parent.
2. The medication must be brought to the school by the parent or legal guardian, in the original container, in an amount not to exceed a 20-day supply. The container must be labeled with the student's name, health care provider's name, drug name and dosage.
3. Medication requests shall be valid for the current school year.

For the safety of all students, please do not send medication of any kind to school with your student. This includes Tylenol and cough drops. If you or your student bring medication to school without the signed Oral Medication Authorization Form the staff will note be able to administer the medication. You, the parent, are always welcome to come to school to administer the medication yourself.

Copies of the Medication Authorization Forms are available online. Additional forms are available in the school office or health room. Contact the school secretary or school nurse if you have any questions.

The district's medication policy allows high school students to carry one dose of medication with them. They must have approval from their parent, health care provider, principal, and school nurse. They must carry the single dose in the original, properly labeled bottle along with the permission form. The health care provider must check the Single Day Self-Carry box on the medication form.

Nuisance pests, like head lice, are found year-round. However, in the fall and spring, we often see an uptick in them. Head lice are not known to cause disease, but their bites do cause frequent scratching and discomfort. Treatment can be costly and time consuming. Learn about preventing infestations below.

WHAT: Very small insects (2-3 mm), grayish-white with dark margins. They crawl very fast and are difficult to see. Lice can lay many eggs in a short amount of time. Anyone can catch head lice and it is not a hygiene issue.

WHERE: Head lice infest human hair, laying small louse eggs (nits) about ½ inch or closer to the scalp, usually behind the ears and along the neckline. These nits are glued to the hair shaft and will not brush off like dandruff or other debris.

HOW DO THEY SPREAD: Close personal contact with an infested individual, or through sharing combs, brushes, hats, coats, or through co-mingling of these items at homes, schools, church, or other public places.

PREVENTION: Establish a routine of checking everyone’s hair once a week. Teach your family not to share combs, hats, clothing, etc. with friends.

TREATMENT: Use a pediculicidal (lice killing) shampoo if lice or nits are found. Some insurance will cover the cost if the provider writes a prescription for it. Wash and dry all clothing and bed linens. Vacuum floors. Notify the school health room of the concern. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

RSD Head Lice Procedure

OSPI Lice Infectious Disease Guide