School Nurse: Adriana Vanbianchi
Email: avanbianchi@methow.org
Health and Wellness Coordinator: Annelisa Tornberg
Email: atornberg@methow.org
Call: (509) 996-2215 at Liberty Bell or (509) 996-2186 at Methow Valley Elementary & leave a message with the school office staff.
In the Methow Valley, we value the health and fitness of all our students and staff. Our school health program aims to assess student health needs and develop care plans, while connecting students and their families to health resources in the community.
School Counseling Services
MVE Counselor: Keri Moore
Email: kmoore@methow.org
Student Health 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.
- Asthma History [pdf]
- Seizure History [pdf]
- Bee-Insect Allergy History [pdf]
- Food Allergy History [pdf]
- Heart Condition History [pdf]
If your student is new to our district and has DIABETES, please contact the school nurse as soon as possible.
Medications at School
According to state law, students may receive medications at school under very specific conditions.
1. A Medication Authorization form completed and signed by your health care provider and parent/guardian that tells us how the medication is to be given. Your doctor’s office will have the form or you can download one here:
- Medication Authorization [pdf]
- Medical Authorization Asthma & Treatment Plan [pdf]
- Allergy Emergency Care Plan [pdf]
2. The medication must be 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.
Immunizations
MMR Vaccine Exemption Law Change 2019
During the 2018-2019 school year, multiple measles outbreaks occurred across the state of Washington.
In response to these outbreaks, and to better control for the event of any future outbreaks, Washington State Legislature passed a bill in May 2019 removing the personal and philosophical option to exempt children from the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine required for school and child care entry.
This bill took effect July 28, 2019, so if your student has had an exemption from MMR in the past due to philosophical reasons, this exemption will no longer be valid. As required by law, your student must have the MMR vaccination or a complete a new form giving a religious or medical reason for exemption from the MMR vaccine.
For details about the new law, please visit:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Schools/Immunization/ExemptionLawChange
1. Washington state requires immunizations for school attendance. The requirements for each grade level can be found here:
Required Immunizations for School Year 2020-21 (English) [pdf]
Required Immunizations for School Year 2020-21 (Spanish) [pdf]
2. Parents are asked to fill out a Certificate of Immunization Status when they register their child for school. When your student receives additional immunizations, please ask your doctor’s office to fax a copy of the record to school. Certificate of Immunization Status (2020-21) [pdf]
3. School registration and attendance are contingent upon either adequate immunization or a parent signed exemption. If you are choosing to exempt your student from the required immunization schedule, please request your health care provider sign, then bring this form to the school office: Certificate of Exemption [pdf]
4. Schools are required to present to parents information on the meningococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
HPV & Meningococcal Vaccines [pdf]
When an outbreak of a communicable disease (such as chickenpox, measles, etc.) occurs among staff or students, the school nurse consults with Okanogan County Public Health who will take the lead on containment and makes the plan on how the school will manage the outbreak. If your student has not been fully immunized, they may be excluded from school for up to 21 days.
Communicable Diseases
Some guidelines on when to keep your student home:
- Fever—a temperature at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea—watery or loose stools.
- Coughing—or having any sort of breathing trouble. Coughing spreads infection.
- Rash—check with your doctor to determine whether the rash is contagious before sending your child to school.
- Lethargic—a child who is difficult to wake, needs to see a doctor.
Vision and Hearing Screening
Students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 are screened yearly.
- A referral form is sent to parents for students who do not pass. The referral indicates the screen results. with recommendations for follow up.
- Students may be referred to their school nurse for individual screening by a parent or teacher.
- Students should be examined by an eye professional at least every two years during school age regardless of the school vision screen results.
- Parents needing assistance for professional eye examination may contact the school nurse.
Keep Your School Nurse Informed
Student health information forms are required to be completed by parents each year.
In addition, keep your school nurse updated on your student’s health status, such as surgeries, medications, illnesses/diseases, new diagnoses or other conditions that may affect your student’s school performance.
Student Health Information Form [pdf]
Insurance
For information regarding free/low cost health insurance programs for students and youth in Washington state visit www.parenthelp123.org or call Room One in Twisp at 997-2050.
Other Links
Okanogan County Public Health »
Center for Disease Control: Seasonal Flu »
(OSPI) Infectious Disease Control Guide for School Staff 2014 [pdf]