Seattle Public Schools

Departments

Health Services

Student Health Information

Health Services partners with families and communities to ensure that all students are healthy, safe and ready to learn.

If your student has a health condition or concern, please contact your school nurse.

Mission Statement

Seattle Public School nurses partner with families and communities to care for the health and well being of our students so they can thrive in school and in life.

Vision Statement

Seattle Public School nurses commit to protect and promote our students’ physical and mental health. We value diversity, inclusion, and equity, and recognize the harmful health impacts from historical and present-day racism against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. We believe that eliminating racism and White Supremacy and improving health care equity demands continuous examination of biases in ourselves, our practice, and society.

Therefore, in support of the students, families, and communities we serve, we will:

  • Build positive, trusting relationships with students to increase their sense of safety, belonging, and self-worth.
  • Actively engage and partner with families and communities.
  • Build a staff that is culturally respectful and reflects the students we serve.
  • Review and revise our policies and practices to support health care equity among our students.
  • Continually prioritize racial equity in professional development, decision-making, and resource allocation.

Through these actions we seek to promote the life-long health and fulfillment of every student in Seattle Public Schools.

Preventing the Spread of Infectious Diseases

The health and safety of students and staff are critical in the school setting.
School Staff use this guide to limit the spread of infectious illness. It offers valuable information for parents when their child has a health issue.

Is My Child Too Sick to Go to School? A guide for parents

Student Immunizations

Check your student’s vaccination records or contact your health care provider to be sure your student has received all their required vaccines.

If you received a letter from Health Services about vaccines your student needs for school, please make sure they receive the immunization(s). Send the immunization record to the school nurse or have your health care provider fax the record to the nurse. Read more about immunizations required for students at SPS.

Students with Extraordinary Nursing Needs

Seattle Public Schools offers regionally placed schools with full time nursing services for students who require professional nursing on a regular basis.  List of Level B schools by region.

Field Trip/Outdoor Education Information

Field trips are an educationally sound and important component in the instructional and/or athletic programs of schools.

Your student’s teacher and school nurse will partner and communicate with you about required authorization and health forms.

Field Trip Procedures

Head Lice Information

Immediate or long-term exclusion is no longer recommended. Please contact your school nurse for any questions you may have.

King County Public Health-Head Lice

Students Who Are Homeless

You or your family are considered “homeless” if you are:

  • Living in a shelter, motel, vehicle, or campground.
  • Living on the street.
  • Living in an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodation.
  • Doubling up with friends or relatives because you can’t find or afford housing.
  • Waiting for a foster-care placement.

Students who are homeless have certain rights under Federal law.

Seattle Public Schools McKinney-Vento

Sexual Health Education

Information and waiver available on our SPS Forms page under Sexual Health Education.

Accessing Student Health Information

Seattle Public Schools partners with SchoolCare, our student health record platform, to manage student health information. This platform is both HIPAA and FERPA compliant. SchoolCare is accessed only by school nurses and a limited number of office staff who have received training in using the system and work at schools without a full time nurse. There is no parent portal or parent access to SchoolCare. You can contact your child’s nurse when you have questions about your child’s care during the school day or health information on file with the district.

Seattle Public Schools is Hiring Nurses