School Nurse
Whitman School Nurse
Welcome Back!
Greetings and welcome back to a new school year. I am excited to get back to school and work with our Wildcat community again! I wanted to send out some helpful information to kick off the year. If your child will need any medications at school, including medications they will self-carry, please fill out a medication authorization form and have it signed by your child’s medical provider. All health forms can be found on the district Health Forms page. Forms are good for the current 2025-26 school year and need to be renewed annually. Note that medication forms and medications for potentially life-threatening health conditions are required ON OR BEFORE the first day of school per WA State Law RCW 28A.210.320. Forms can be emailed to me kemcintosh@seattleschools.org, dropped off in person at the school during open hours (generally 8-4 the week prior to start of school), or faxed to my direct line at 206-743-3188.
For general medications like Tylenol, ibuprofen, ADHD meds etc, you’ll fill out the Authorization for Medications Taken at School form. For asthma and inhalers, please fill out both the Asthma Assessment Form for School and Asthma Medication Order and Health History. For severe allergies requiring an EPI pen, please fill out both the Food Allergy Assessment Form and Severe Allergy/Anaphylaxis Medication Order and Health History Form.
***Please ensure that all medications are not expired***
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Kathleen McIntosh, MSN RN (she/her)
Registered Nurse, Whitman Middle School
P:206-252-1207 and F:206-743-3188
kemcintosh@seattleschools.org
Whitman MS Nurse Kathleen E. McIntosh
Welcome to the 25-26 School Year
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.
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
- SPS Respiratory Illness Response
- SPS General Rules: Is My Child Too Sick To Go To School?
- Medications at school: All medications taken at school require a medication authorization form that is signed by your child’s medical provider and the parent/guardian. Medications are to be provided by the family. All medication forms linked below. Please reach out to me if you have any questions.
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
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.
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:
- Visit The Source
- Complete a paper copy of the Annual Student Health Update form
- You may also contact the nurse directly by phone or email
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
- Get vaccinated
- If you feel sick, stay home
- Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
- Wash your hands frequently
- Keep hands away from your face
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.