Welcome To Ballard High School
Breaking News!
Washington state law requires that students are fully vaccinated, be in the process of completing immunizations, or have a signed Certificate of Exemption in order to attend school.
Student records must reflect updated immunization status by January 8, 2020, or students cannot attend school until the required information is provided to the school nurse.
Families of students whose records are not up to date or are missing information were notified the week of November 1 via email, postal mail, and a letter home from your child’s school. Visit the SPS website Vaccination Info For Families for more complete details.
Meet The School Nurses
Hello, my name is Annette Cologna, RN and I am the full-time school nurse at Ballard High School. My nurse experience varies from working in general medical surgical, orthopedic, psychiatric to specializing in cardiac and thoracic care and, most recently, as a school nurse the past 4 years. I am passionate about working with youth and I feel confident that I can attend many of your child’s ills and injuries. More information is available in my Welcome To BHS 2019-20 Letter.
In addition, this year there will be another nurse, Robert Murdock, LPN, one day a week to help meet the health needs of BHS students. Rob has a background in trauma assessment and treatment as well as family practice. He enjoys “working with kids and looks forward to the day of the week that he gets to spend here”.
Important Note From The BHS Nurse
For your student's safety, it is important that we have medical information, Diabetic and Seizure Physician Care Plans, medication authorization forms to prepare and train staff in case of an emergency. Please inform us if your student has Seizure Disorder, Diabetes, Asthma, Life-Threatening Allergic Reaction, or any other potentially life-threatening medical condition and complete the paperwork listed below.
-> Download, complete and return the Authorization for Medications to Be Taken at School form(s) if your student requires medication(s) to be taken at school. Forms are also available in the School Nurse office.
-> Update your student's health information online via the Student Verification Form on the Source by September 30). If you are unable to update online, or after 9/30 you may submit the Annual Student Health Information Form to the School Nurse.
Prepare for Your Student’s Health at School
Washington state law requires that school staff and parents plan together for the safe care of their child throughout the school day.
- Health issues: Please report any health issue your child has that could impact safety and learning at school to the school nurse. You can contact the nurse directly by phone or e-mail. Or fill out the online student verification form (September 1-30) or through the Annual Student Health Update paper form. Examples include: Seizures, diabetes, asthma, life-threatening allergic reaction, cancer treatment, and anemia.
- Medication at school: If your child needs to take any type of medication during the school day, even if it’s temporary, a medication form must be completed by the child’s health care provider and signed by parent. Authorization for Medications Taken at School (multiple languages)
- Medical treatments at school: If your child needs a treatment at school, such as: G-tube feeding, insulin calculation, clean urinary catheterization, suctioning, nebulizer, dressing change, and others please have the health care provider complete the treatment form. Authorization for Treatments and Procedures to be Performed at School
Immunization Information
UPDATE! Visit the SPS Student Vaccination Requirements post for more information and instructions for letters that were sent to some families.
To attend school students must present a signed Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS). Our district requires that immunization information on the CIS comes from a medical provider. WA State Immunization laws state that the student is in compliance if they are:
- Fully immunized or
- In process of getting immunized
- Has a completed Certificate of Exemption
As of July 28, 2019, personal exemptions are no longer accepted in Washington State for the measles-MMR vaccine. Students who were previously in compliance with a Certificate of Exemption for MMR are now listed as out of compliance with state law.
You can obtain a copy of your own or your child’s (under age 18) immunization record located in the Washington Immunization Information System (WAIIS).
Visit www.myIR.net to keep up-to-date with past immunizations, get reminders for your family’s future immunizations, and even print your own official records.
Students can receive immunizations through their school-based health center or at a school-based health center located nearby.
Other Immunization Resources: