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School Nurse

Whitman School Nurse

Whitman MS Nurse Kathleen E. McIntosh

Welcome to the 24-25 School Year

Kathleen McIntosh

My name is Kathleen McIntosh. I did a rotation at Aki Kurose Middle School and fell in love with the idea of school nursing. Fast forward 7 years working at Swedish, dabbling in inpatient and outpatient nursing, with the last four being in pediatric gastroenterology. I was a fourth grader at Catharine Blaine K-8 with undiagnosed Crohn’s disease, so I know what it’s like being in pain and worried not knowing what is going on with your health. My job is to support your child’s health and wellbeing so they are ready to learn. Health and safety is our highest priority. It is my honor and privilege to help your kid flourish here at Whitman!

Kathleen McIntosh, BSN RN (she/her); Registered Nurse, Whitman MS, SPS. Phone: 206-252-1207, Fax: 206-743-3188, Email: kemcintosh@seattleschools.org For immediate crisis support: Call 911 or 988 for Mental Health.

Announcements

There have been a few cases of walking pneumonia, which can look like the common cold. Please visit the Cleveland Clinic website for symptoms and treatment of pneumonia. If you suspect your child has pneumonia, please have them seen by their primary care provider or urgent care.

I encourage any students with a cough who are not feeling well to stay home. If your child is feeling better and can come to school, but has a lingering cough, I recommend they wear a mask at school. Anyone can feel free to pick up a mask in my office. Questions to Nurse McIntosh at kemcintosh@seattleschools.org.

Going Home Sick

Remember that any student not feeling well at school should be seen by me. It is my duty to assess any student who is sick, injured, or just doesn’t feel good. Using shared decision making between the student, family, and my expertise as the school nurse, we will make a plan if your child needs to go home sick. Families know their student better than I do, and I will always take the family’s lead on what is best for their child. My goal is to create an equitable system for all students. 

A few times a week, we have students text their parents asking to go home, bypassing the nurse’s office and waiting uncomfortably in class for their adult to pick them up. If a student develops symptoms of an illness, they need to isolate in my room while waiting to be picked up. In many cases, students who are not familiar with my office don’t know that I can help them feel better, avoiding going home altogether. For things like headaches, stomach aches, and menstrual cramps, resting in my office, hydrating, and using a heating pad helps the student complete the school day more comfortably. For students who often get headaches and cramps, I am more than happy to give them medication if you would like. More on medications below.

COVID, Cold, Flu, Illness, etc.  

Last spring, the CDC changed their recommendations on COVID testing and isolation. Seattle Schools follows their lead on illness. Since last spring, we no longer require any isolation period for students and staff with COVID, and testing for COVID is no longer required for any COVID symptoms.  

Any student or staff can go back to normal activities when (for at least 24 hours) both are true:

  • Symptoms are getting better overall
  • They don’t have a fever and aren’t using fever-reducing medication

Respiratory Illness Response Info & Medications

Nurse Office Needs

Parents/Guardians I am in need of the following for the Whitman Nurses Office if you are able to help supply any of the following items.

  • Packages of girls and boys underwear in various sizes
  • Socks
  • Stretchy pants/shorts/bottoms (all-gender, all sizes)
  • Travel sized deodorant packs (example)
  • Toothbrushes & floss (no toothpaste needed)
  • Kleenex

Thank you Whitman MS Families! ~ Sincerely, Kathleen McIntosh, BSN RN

Greetings Whitman Parents of Incoming 7th Graders!

Reminder! There is an immunization requirement for Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) for all students entering 7th grade. Now is a great time to make an appointment with your child’s primary care office or local pharmacy to receive this vaccine. Records can be faxed, emailed, mailed, or dropped off at school. More vaccine information can be found on the district Immunizations page.

Resources for Families

Painful Periods

A note from the nurse: painful periods

I see students on a regular basis who suffer from significant menstrual cramps that take them out of the classroom or even keep them at home. Missed school due to period cramps is the leading cause of absenteeism for kids who menstruate. I believe that every minute in the classroom counts towards future success and feel strongly about closing opportunity gaps for all students. I want to let you know what can be done to help your child be more comfortable at school and ready to learn. Many of the same treatments done at home can be done at school. My first line of treatment is having them sit or lie down comfortably and use a heating pad. Heat causes relaxation of the smooth muscles and can reduce cramps. I communicate home when it seems a child is struggling regularly or significantly with cramps so that the family is aware and can bring it to the attention of the pediatrician if needed, and potentially get medications authorized for school. Some kids will benefit from having a pain reliever like ibuprofen or Tylenol available at school. I recommend speaking with your child’s pediatrician if the pain feels unbearable or consistently interferes with activities of daily living. 

Note: I have menstrual products available for kids, as well as changes of underwear and clothes as needed.

Reminder that all medications taken at school must be provided by the parents/guardians and signed for by the provider. The forms are good for the current school year and a new one is needed for next year. It is ok to start the process of having the pediatrician fill out forms for next year as well. Simply write 2024-2025 school year for next year on the top of the form. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

In health,
Kathleen McIntosh, RN 

Medications Taken At School Form

Medications Taken At School Form

Greetings from Ms. McIntosh, School Nurse! All medications and over the counter treatments are considered medications, and I cannot dispense them. What I can do is assess your child for a contagious illness and send them home if they are ill, or for mild non-contagious symptoms, give them space to sit down in my office (which has air filtration) and have some ice chips or water to soothe irritated throats. 

I am happy to administer medications or over the counter treatments, like allergy medicine, cough drops, Tylenol/ibuprofen etc if families would like me to. I just need parent signature, provider signature, and for the family to provide the medication or treatment in the original packaging. 

Please visit the SPS Student Health Forms to get more information about the Authorization for Medications Taken at School Form. State or federal law requires that a form must be completed and signed by both parent/guardian and a licensed health care provider with prescriptive authority for ALL medications to be given at school, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications. This form needs to be renewed at the beginning of each school year.

Feel free to call me at 206-252-1207 or send me an e-mail if you’d like to discuss more. In health, Kathleen McIntosh, BSN RN (she/her) Registered Nurse, Whitman Middle School.

If Your Child Feels Ill At School
Sad Face, Face with Thermometer in mouth, Face with mask on.

Cold and Flu Season Is Here

If Your Child Feels Ill at School

If your student is not feeling well, they need to go to the nurse’s office for assessment, have me call home, and wait in the health room until a guardian picks them up. Some students text their parent/guardian asking to be picked up. In many cases, students feel better after 10 minutes of lying down and can return to class. If they have symptoms of a virus, they need to isolate in my room. Doing this creates an equitable, safe, and responsible learning environment. If your student texts or calls you asking to be picked up, please ask them to go to the nurse first. Thanks!

During Cold and Flu Season, please refer to the Is My Student Too Sick To Go to School chart to determine if your student is too sick to go to school. In addition, view the information posted on the district COVID and Respiratory Illnesses page. Please keep your students home if they have an active infection.

Bad Cold and/or Cough: Students need to be able to cover their cough to be at school. If a cough or cold persists for more than 2 weeks, the student may need to be seen by a health care provider.

 ~ Sincerely, Kathleen McIntosh, BSN RN (she/her)

Vaccine Resources

King County: Flu, Covid Vaccine Info

Read more and gather more information on the King Country Resources Overview.

SPS Resources: Flu, COVID Info

Vaccination and boosters are the best protection from COVID. Students may also access COVID-19 vaccines through School-based Health Centers. Additional information on the SPS Respiratory Health Guidance, More information the district Vaccine Clinic page.

District Updates

Important Health Information

Immunizations Up to Date?

Washington State Law requires every student to provide proof of immunization compliance to attend school. If you received a letter from Health Services about immunizations your student needs for school, please make sure your student receives the immunization(s) listed in the letter or provide documents to indicate exemptions.

Send the immunization record to the school nurse or have your health care provider fax the record to the nurse.

SPS immunization requirements

Life-Threatening Health Conditions

If your student has a life-threatening health condition (Diabetes, Allergies, Seizure disorder, Asthma, etc.), the following items must be provided on or before the first day of school:

  • Life-Saving Medication
  • Medication Authorization forms
  • Treatment Supplies

To ensure your student’s health and safety during the school day, Washington State Law requires that your student be excluded from school until these items are received by the school nurse. Please let your school nurse know if you have any barriers to providing these items so they can offer support.

See SPS Policy 3413 for more information regarding the exclusion process.

Annual Student Health Updates

Please report any health issue your child has that could impact safety and learning to the school nurse.

How to complete the Annual Student Health Update form:

Medication Form

Ask your health provider to complete the Authorization for Medications Taken at School.

  • Each medication requires its own form
  • Your health care provider must sign the form
  • You must sign the form

 This is required for ALL medications.

Medication

All medications must be in their original container and labeled with the student’s name. Prescription medication must have a pharmacy label.

Emergency medications must be in the building on or before the first day of school.

Check medication expiration dates! Try to get medications that will last the entire school year.

Flu Shots Help Save Lives!

Schedule a flu shot for your student and family members. Here’s how:

  • Contact a School-Based Health Center (students only)
  • Seek care from your healthcare provider

Watch for announcements for upcoming flu shot clinics.

Protection from Respiratory Illness

Take actions to help manage the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, and keep each other safe.

Register Your Student for a School-Based Health Center

Your student can go to any School-Based Health Center within the district. Please call the clinic to make an appointment.