Health Services

Bellingham Public Schools employs nine nurse positions. The nurses are each assigned to multiple schools, and carry cell phones making them readily available to their schools and staff.

School nurses are specialized professionals who provide knowledgeable insight into acute and chronic health conditions, and normal growth and development. Nurses can support your student by:

• Implementing Individual Health Plans
• Supervising medications
• Planning for students with life threatening health conditions
• Developing classroom accommodation plans
• Acting as a liaison between families, students, school personnel and the medical community
• Monitoring communicable diseases
• Overseeing immunization compliance
• Providing state mandated screenings

If your student has any health concerns, please contact your school nurse.

 

Immunization Information

Before a student can attend school, parents must provide proof of full immunization, proof that a schedule of immunization has been started or a certificate of exemption. Immunization must be provided against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, mumps, measles, rubella, hepatitis B and varicella. Visit our immunization webpage for more information.

 

Medication at School

If a student requires medication-both prescription and non-prescription- during the school day, parents must return the completed form, Authorization for Medication at School. Visit our medication at school webpage for more information.

 

When should I send my child to school?

Here are recommendations about when your child should attend school or stay home when they have an illness.

When should I send my child to school?

 

Annual Health Concerns Document

Each year this form is to be completed by the Parent/Guardian and returned to their student’s school by mid-September.

Annual Health Concerns Document

 

Life Threatening Health Conditions

Before the first day of school the parent/guardian of students who have life threatening health conditions must provide the school nurse a copy of medication or treatment orders, and any necessary medication or equipment. The school nurse and the parent/guardian will develop an Individual Health Plan. A life threatening health condition is one that will put the student in danger of death during the school day or school sponsored activity if a medication or treatment order and an Individual Health Plan are not in place. This includes students with conditions such as anaphylaxis to bee stings, severe food allergies, diabetes and other health conditions. The school nurse can be contacted through the student’s school. If the student participates in school-sponsored activities the parent must contact the activity advisor or coach and the school nurse to make arrangements.

 

Head Lice Information

Head Lice Management Guidelines

Lice Tool Kit

Head Lice Treatment

 

School Nurses

Barbara Cummins, BSN, RN (360) 201-6390

Kulshan Middle School, Carl Cozier Elementary, Geneva Elementary

Shelly Donahue, BSN, RN (360) 927-1773

Squalicum High School, Northern Heights Elementary

Lori Fransen, BSN, RN  (360) 201-9178

Whatcom Middle School, Alderwood Elementary

Alyssa Johnson, MSN, RN (360) 201-8766

Sehome High School, Wade King Elementary, Bellingham Family Partnership Program

Tobi Melton, BSN, RN (360) 961-9623

Bellingham High School, Columbia Elementary

Matt Neisinger, BSN, RN (360) 927-0884

Options High School, Cordata Elementary, Parkview Elementary, Sunnyland Elementary

Julia Pillar-Schaefer, BSN, RN (360) 306-2604

Fairhaven Middle School, Happy Valley Elementary, Lowell Elementary

Megan Vander Heide, BSN, RN (360) 305-8401

Roosevelt Elementary, Silver Beach Elementary

Debra Wilkowski, BSN, RN (360) 303-0554

Shuksan Middle School, Birchwood Elementary