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

Greetings from Ms. McIntosh, School Nurse! Spring is here, and that means allergy season. We are also not done with cough and cold season here at Whitman, either. I have had many students come to me for coughs, sore throats, or allergy symptoms and ask what I can give them. Many kids ask me for cough drops. Unfortunately, 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.

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!

Cold and flu season is here, 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)

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.