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Student Wellness and Safety

 

FIND YOUR SCHOOL NURSE

Karla Rimmer, BSN, RN, ESA School Nurse

Islander Middle School, School Nurse

206-275-5961
Shelley Sage, BSN, RN, M.Ed, ESA School Nurse Mercer Island High School, School Nurse 206-236-3377
 
Krista Way Island Park, School Nurse 206-230-6281
Yvonne Monahan, RN

West Mercer, School Nurse

 206-230-6044
Rachael Hitchcock, MN, RN, CCM Lakeridge, School Nurse 206-230-6231
Emer Nolan, RN and Betsy Harmening, LPN Northwood, School Nurse
 		 206-275-5801

                                                                     

Annual Notice Life-Threatening Condition

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of a Washington State Law that will help your child’s school provide for the safety and health of children during the school day. This law, “Children with Life-Threatening Conditions,” took effect June 13, 2002.

The law defines the life-threatening condition as “a health condition that will put the child in danger of death during the school day if a medication or treatment order and a nursing plan are not in place.” Children with life-threatening conditions such as severe bee sting or food allergies, severe asthma, diabetes, severe seizures, or other at-risk conditions are now required to have a medication or treatment order and a nursing plan in place before the start of each school year.

The medication or treatment order must be from the child’s licensed health care provider (LHP), who may be a doctor, physician’s assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, etc.

If a medication or treatment order is not provided, the principal of the school is required to exclude the child until such an order has been provided. This requirement applies to students with a life-threatening condition who are new to the district, and students who are already attending school. Exclusion procedures are guided by the state-mandated rules of the State Board of Education.

If your child no longer has a life-threatening health condition that was previously identified, you must obtain a letter from your child’s licensed health care provider stating that this condition is no longer an issue for your child and submit the letter to the school nurse.

 

Attendance, Absenteeism and Truancy

  • The Mercer Island School District is committed to promoting positive schools and learning environments so that students want to attend school. We know that students who do not regularly attend school are more at risk to fall behind academically, experience increased pressure, and may jeopardize on-time graduation. Counselors, teachers, support staff, and administrators are ready to help when students struggle to attend school regularly or even stop coming to school altogether.

    A student is considered chronically absent when the student misses 10% or more of the total school days. This may seem like a large number and not too easy to reach during the year. However, 10% of the school year is really just 18 days. A student who misses school, excused or not, two times each month will be considered chronically absent by the end of the year. We encourage all families and students to take school attendance seriously and only stay home due to illness or extenuating circumstances.

    Students who stop attending school entirely or begin to frequently miss school may be communicating something about school or their personal life:

    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Academic struggle in one or more content areas
    • Physical illness
    • Concern for safety
    • Lack of connection

    If your child is struggling to come to school or consistently wants to miss certain parts of the day, please reach out to one of our school administrators, teachers, or counselors. Along with Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, we want to partner with families and help all students come to school healthy and happy each day.

  • Questions or Concerns About Your Child's Attendance?

    • Your child's teacher

    • The registrar or the front office at your child's school

    • Your child's counselor or the Mercer Island Youth and Family Counselor

    • The school principal or associate principal