Student Health and Nursing Services

Keep Your School Health Care Team Informed

Student health information is required to be updated by parents each year. In addition, keep your school nurse, and other members of the healthcare team, updated on your student’s health status, such as surgeries, medications, illnesses/diseases, new diagnoses, mental health, or other conditions that may affect your student’s school performance.

School District Nurse

Adriana Vanbianchi, RN • School District Nurse

Phone: (509) 557-0012
Fax: (833) 965-0909
avanbianchi@methow.org

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Provides first aid care and health assessments for Students and Staff
  • Coordinates the care of students with chronic or acute health conditions;
  • Liaison between school staff, parents and health care providers to ensure the safety and well-being of students while attending school.
  • Administers medications and monitors delegated medication administration;
  • Coordinates and provides vision and hearing screenings;
  • Assists families in accessing health insurance and health care services;
  • Educates and trains staff on: health conditions specific to our students’ individual needs.

Adriana Vanbianchi, MVSD School NurseAdriana Vanbianchi has worked across numerous healthcare settings including as a paramedic, swiftwater rescue swimmer, emergency room nurse, and primary care nurse before her current job as MVSD school nurse.

She is passionate about delivering equitable and empathetic health care. She believes in the power of teamwork to solve any problem, but especially those encountered in healthcare. Healthcare is a family affair for Adriana as she is married to a nurse and has two kids who are both tired of hearing about medical procedures and pathology over the dinner table.

Health/Wellness Coordinator

Annelisa Tornberg, RN • Health and Wellness Coordinator

(509) 724-0151
atornber@methow.org

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Coordinating and teaching Comprehensive Sexual Health in classrooms;
  • Monitoring COVID-19 needs and notifications in the event of a known exposure at school;
  • Case Management: working with individual students and families to meet their health care needs and goals. This includes partnering with families to find needed resources in our community and beyond such as specialist health care, mental health providers, evaluations for student health care needs, transportation to appointments and more.

Annelisa has worked in Public Health & Maternal-Child Nursing for 17 years. She began her career in high-risk Labor and Delivery and expanded her experience to community hospital birth centers, working primarily with midwives in the Pacific Northwest and internationally in New Zealand.

Annelisa Tornberg out in the snow. This led to her position as a Nurse Family Partnership home visitor with young first time mothers, providing case management and supporting clients in achieving their goals as parents and individuals. This role helped Annelisa build a solid foundation of strength-based case management skills, public health knowledge, and expertise in helping parents and young children connect and build healthy relationships together.

Annelisa is also an IBCLC certified Lactation Consultant, Infant Mental Health Specialist, and trainer for Promoting Maternal Mental Health, a professional course for health care workers through the University of Washington. Annelisa, her husband (who is also a Nurse) and two kids moved to the Methow Valley in 2021 and are grateful for the welcoming community, filling their days off with skiing, hiking, and finding ways to continue keeping sailing a part of their lives.

MVE Counselor

Keri Moore • Elementary School Counselor

(509) 996-2186 ext 4224
kmoore@methow.org

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Methow Valley Elementary’s first full time school counselor.
  • Responsible for leading Social & Emotional Learning programs;
  • Facilitating the Student Support Team (which responds to needs of students of concern)
  • Leading small groups or meeting with individual students when working through problems, big changes, grief, or other needs;
  • Partnering with local mental health and social work providers to support families across varying levels of need.

Keri grew up in the suburbs of Chicago with a large extended family of Michiganders. After finishing her degrees in English and International Studies at the University of Iowa, she found herself immediately in the classroom as an elementary special education paraprofessional. It became clear to her that teaching filled her heart. She quickly moved on to receive her Masters in TESOL/Applied Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, leading her to teach English Language at an inner city community college that predominantly served refugee and asylum-seeking students.

Keri moved to the Methow Valley in 2016 and worked at Room One for nearly four years. Outside of school, Keri enjoys spending her time foraging, running, gravel biking, and kayaking in the surrounding landscape, as well as tending to her ever growing garden. She lives here with her husband Chris and their dog Cormac.

LBHS Counselor

Erika Spellman • LBHS Guidance Counselor (currently on leave)

Amy Fitkin is Erika’s leave replacement.
afitken@methow.org

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Design appropriate schedules;
  • Check credits for graduation eligibility, and problem-solving class issues;
  • Support student’s socio-emotional self through brief individual sessions and mediations.
  • Refer students interested in mental health counseling to appropriate mental health providers.

Erika has spent much of her career building and implementing comprehensive college and career programs in both the Edmonds and Shoreline School Districts. Most recently at Shorewood High School. Her experience and enthusiasm for college access and education is above and beyond. When she is not working with high school students she enjoys spending time with her 3 children, Morgan, Mackenzie, and Montana. She also enjoys riding her bike and teaching yoga. She is thrilled to be a part of Liberty Bell High School and the Methow community.

Methow Valley Elemetary students jumping in a group outside

Requirements for School Attendance

To attend school, up-to-date Immunization or current Certificate of Exemption Forms are required for all students. For students with potentially life-threatening health conditions, an Emergency Care Plan (ECP) is also required. Medication Authorization is required for those students needing to take medications while at school.

Immunization

Immunization Requirements

Why is the immunization status of my child required by all Public Schools in Washington State?

Up-To-Date immunizations or current exemption forms are required by all public schools in Washington State (Department of Health). In addition, vaccination data can be used by schools and health departments to help during a response to an epidemic by identifying those students most at risk of disease, and allowing them to be best protected from exposure.

The requirements for each grade level can be found on the Washington Department of Health website.
School and Child Care Immunizations Information for Families

What if circumstances do not allow my student to be vaccinated?
A Certificate of Exemption is an option and can be completed during a visit with your student’s healthcare provider. If you are choosing to exempt your student from the required immunization schedule, please request your health care provider sign, then fax this form to (833) 965-0909. Like vaccination records, a current exemption form must be on file with the school to better help during a response to an epidemic by identifying those students most at risk of disease, and allowing them to be best protected from exposure.

What if I am unsure what vaccines my student needs to be up-to-date?
You can sign up to view your family’s vaccine information on the following sites.

Schools are required to provide information about meningococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to parents.
While these vaccines are not required by the school, they are both serious illnesses that can be prevented by vaccinations that are part of the childhood vaccine series. For more information, please visit the CDC’s pages regarding the meningococcal and HPV vaccinations.

Other Resources

MVSD Policies & Procedures

Emergency Care Plans

For Life Threatening Conditions

Students with potentially life-threatening health conditions require an Emergency Care Plan (ECP) to be in place BEFORE they may attend school. If your student has any of the following conditions, please call the school office to arrange a time to speak to the school nurse. You may also print from the list below and bring a completed copy to the school office.

DIABETES
Important! If your student is new to our district and has Diabetes, please contact the school nurse as soon as possible.

ASTHMA

SEIZURE DISORDERS

SEVERE ALLERGIES

MVSD Policies & Procedures

Medication Authorization

Medications at School

Students may receive medications at school under very specific conditions.

1. Submit a Medication Authorization Form, completed and signed by the health care provider and parent/guardian, that tells us how the medication is to be given. Your doctor’s office may have a form or you can download one using the link above.

2. The medication must be clearly marked:

  • in its original container,
  • with the student’s name,
  • the dose,
  • and the time the medication should be given.

3. The medication must be brought to school by the parent or other responsible adult.

MVSD Polices & Procedures

Common Illnesses & Conditions

The Methow Valley School District strives to prevent the spread of illness among staff and students through the education and promotion of health prevention strategies such as hand-washing, covering cough, and staying home when ill. However, there are a variety of common illnesses that our community regularly experiences. Below are the basic guidelines of when to stay home from school.

Illness Prevention

Help us keep everyone healthy!

Some guidelines on when to keep your student home:

  • Fever at or above 100 degrees
  • Vomiting or Diarrhea
  • Coughing or any sort of breathing trouble
  • Severe sore throat
  • Rash (check with your doctor before sending to school)
  • Very tired or in pain

When a student or staff can return to school — follow the 24 Hour Rule

  • Fever: Keep your child home until their FEVER has been gone WITHOUT medicine for 24 hours.
  • Vomiting or Diarrhea: Keep your child home for 24 hours after the LAST time they have vomited or had diarrhea and are eating a normal diet.
  • Antibiotics: Keep your child home at least 24 hours after the FIRST dose of antibiotic.

MVSD Policies & Procedures

COVID-19

Testing & Notification for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

What needs to happen for the school?
If your student has been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Monitor for symptoms and continue to allow your student to attend school and/or other activities. If your student is feeling unwell, please keep the student home from school until 24 hours have passed since the last bout of diarrhea, vomiting, or fever.  

What if my student tests positive for COVID-19? 
Please use the Washington Dept of Health Isolation Calculator to understand how long your student should stay home recovering. Notify the school if your student has a confirmed COVID Diagnosis: MVE (509) 996-2186, LBHS (509) 996-2215. 

Washington State Public Schools are required to notify all potentially-exposed staff and students to a COVID. A generic letter will be sent out to the families in your student’s class alerting them to possible exposure. The COVID-positive patient’s identity will remain anonymous  

If your student received a positive COVID test via a home test, please report to the Okanogan County Health Dept.

To learn more about COVID-19, symptoms and testing, visit the CDC website. 

Flu

Treatment for Flu (Influenza)

What needs to happen for the school?
If your child receives a positive flu test, see if they are eligible for antiviral medication.  Keep your child home from school until they are significantly improved, are 24 hours fever free without the use of anti-fever medications, 24 hours out from the last bout of diarrhea and/or vomiting.

To learn more about Influenza, symptoms and treatment visit the CDC website.

Lice

Treatment for Lice

What needs to happen for the school?
Live lice (see image) need to be removed from hair and one treatment with nit shampoo needs to happen (which can be bought at Ulrichs). Students are able to return to school with eggs still visible in hair, but not with live lice. A generic letter will be sent out to the families in your students’ class alerting them to possible exposure. The lice-case identity will remain anonymous.

To learn more about lice, diagnosis and treatments visit the CDC website.

Pink Eye

Treatment for Pink Eye (conjunctivitis)

What needs to happen for the school?
Students will be asked to stay home from school and refer to a licensed health care provider if there is white or yellow drainage from the eye, altered vision, and/or redness of the eyelid or skin surrounding the eye (see graphic). Providers may prescribe antibiotic drops to be administered to infected eye. After 24 hours on antibiotics, students are welcome to return to school.

To learn more about Pink Eye, symptoms and treatment visit the CDC website.

Strep Throat

Treatment for Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis)

What needs to happen for the school?
Strep Throat is treated with antibiotics. To be diagnosed and prescribed antibiotics, please make an appointment with your student’s healthcare provider. Students are able to return to school when they are feeling significantly better (free of fever, diarrhea and vomit without the use of medication for at least 24 hours) and have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. 

To learn more about Strep Throat and treatment, visit the CDC website.  

Vomiting/Diarrhea

Treatment for Vomiting/Diarrhea (Norovirus)

What needs to happen for the school?
Staff and students should remain home through their illness and for 24 hours after symptoms resolve. Remove any contaminated clothing or linens immediately. Clean thoroughly any contaminated surfaces with a detergent to remove organic material (such as feces). Rinse detergent off the surface and then disinfect with an EPA-approved disinfectant for norovirus. Encourage good personal hygiene and proper hand washing techniques after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after changing diapers.

To learn more about Norovirus symptoms and treatment, visit the CDC website.

Methow Valley Elementary Playground Friends

Mental Health Resources for Families

General

Counseling & Support Services

Suicide

Suicide Prevention Resources (in Spanish and English)

LOCAL LEVEL RESOURCES

  • Room One
    (509) 997-2050
    A multifaceted social service organization located in the Methow Valley, Okanogan County. We provide a wide range of services and programming including one-on-one supports and resource connections, educational programs in the schools, support groups, advocacy and more.
  • Okanogan Behavioral Health
    (509) 826-6191
    Provides holistic behavioral health services that promote wellness and sustain recovery in Okanogan County.

STATE & NATIONAL LEVEL RESOURCES AVAILABLE 24/7

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    Call 988 or Text HOME to 741-741
    Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
  • The Trevor Project
    1 (866) 488-7386
    Reach out to a counselor if you’re struggling, find answers and information, and get the tools you need to help someone else.
  • Trans Lifeline
    1 (877) 565-8860(Trans)
    Provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. We’re run by and for trans people.
  • Teen Connections
    1 (866) 833-6546
    Teen Link is a confidential and anonymous help line for teens. Trained teen volunteers are available to talk with you about any issue of concern. No issue is too big or too small!
  • Crisis Connection
    1 (866) 427-4747
    We are one of the oldest Crisis Lines in the nation, and home to five programs focused on serving the emotional and physical needs of individuals across Washington State.

Depression & Anxiety

What is Depression?

What is Anxiety?

ADHD

What is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder)?

ASD

What is ASD (Autism)?

Other Health & Wellness Resources

Local

Help in and around the Methow Valley

HEALTH INSURANCE

  • Room One
    (509) 997-2050, ask to speak with a health insurance navigator.
  • Erika Sanchez, Enrollment Navigator, Family Health Centers, Brewster
    (509) 422-8646, esanchez@fhc.us
  • Laura Hernández-Baird, Enrollment Navigator, Family Health Centers, Omak
    (509) 422-1912, lhernandez@fhc.us
  • ParentHelp123
    Website with several contacts for various insurance navigators that will assist you finding insurance that fits your family and budget.

DENTAL CARE

MEDICAL CARE

TRANSPORT TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

FOOD RESOURCES

HOMELESSNESS

  • Room One
    Visit the link above or call (509) 997-2050.

State

Statewide Organizations

CHILD CENTERED PROVIDERS

CHILD SAFETY

CONNECT TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES

GENERAL PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH

National

Nationwide Organizations

LIFE THREATENING CONDITIONS

GENERAL PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH

Smoke and Air Quality

Methow Valley Air Quality & Student Health

During the late summer/early Fall, the Methow Valley can experience days of varying air quality due to the surrounding forest fires that occur during this time of year.  Day-day, the air quality in the valley can vary from “good” to “unhealthy” within a matter of hours. Methow Valley Schools strive to monitor the air quality on an hourly basis during wildfire seasons and follow the guidelines to ensure healthy levels of activity during times of poor air quality.  

In addition, the air quality inside the school buildings is also monitored and actively filtered through a combination of centralized forced air systems and free standing HEPA air cleaning filters.

For additional detailed information, please review the follow document MVSD Air Quality and Student Health 2022-2023 [pdf] lays out these procedures and offers insight into how and why they were adopted, as well as providing information regarding steps taken by MVSD to improve indoor air quality during periods when wildfire smoke is an issue.

Would you like to know how to be ready for “smoke season” in the Methow Valley? Use this Smoke Ready Checklist [pdf], so that you are prepared to protect the health and safety of yourself and your community when the air quality is at unhealthy levels. To follow the smoke report of the Methow Valley, visit Clean Air Methow.

Vehicle exhaust, woodstove emissions, industrial emissions, wildfire smoke, windblown dust, and other sources contain fine particle pollution (PM2.5) that can seriously affect children’s health. The following public health recommendations to protect children from PM2.5 are designed for school activities and can be applied to child care, before/after school programs, camp, and sports programs for children (18 years and younger) by considering the duration of outdoor activities. Visit Washington Air Quality Guide for School and Child Care Activities for guidelines.

Other MVSD Health Policies

Methow Valley Elemetary students playing soccer on a sunny day.

Our Mission

To expect, encourage and facilitate the pursuit of excellence in our students, preparing them for a world in which life-long learning is critical to their success and happiness.

A Vision for Methow Valley Schools

Working in partnership with our families and community, we develop curious, creative, compassionate, competent, action-oriented citizens prepared to change the world.