Ensuring the Safety and Security of Our Students

Our top priority is to ensure a safe and secure environment for all students during the school day. To support this, we have a closed campus policy and monitor who enters and leaves the grounds. This is a crucial measure to protect both students and staff.

Please be aware of the following:

• No dogs are allowed on school grounds during school hours.
• Each school has signage indicating that the campus is closed to the public during school hours and that pets are not permitted.

In accordance with Board Policy 4260, school facilities are reserved exclusively for district-approved programs and activities during the school day. This ensures that our regular programming is not disrupted.

We understand that this may be unexpected, especially if you have visited without any issues before. However, we must follow these guidelines to maintain a safe environment for everyone. Community members are welcome to use the school fields and playgrounds outside of school hours as long as they do not conflict with school events or programs.

As fall arrives, it’s common to see an increase in the number of sick students. With kids in close contact in classrooms and certain illnesses more prevalent this time of year, it’s likely that children will catch a cold or two.

How can we avoid getting sick now that school is in full swing?

Hand-washing! Make sure to wash your hands before eating, after using the toilet, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. To properly wash your hands, wet them with water, lather with soap, and scrub for 20 seconds (the CDC recommends singing or humming the “Happy Birthday” song twice as a timer). Rinse with water and dry with a clean towel or air dry.

If your child does get sick with one of these common back-to-school illnesses, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician or urgent care clinic.

Common illnesses as schools get back in session:

• Colds: The common cold is the most frequent illness during the school year, caused by various viruses. Symptoms are usually mild, including cough, congestion, and runny nose. Sometimes, children may also have a sore throat or fever.

• Strep throat: This bacterial infection often causes a sore throat, fever, headache, and stomachache. It spreads easily, especially through shared drinks and utensils. Antibiotics are recommended to prevent complications.

• Flu: As schools get into full swing, so does the flu. It typically causes high fevers, body aches, cough, congestion, and runny nose. Kids usually need to stay home for a few days until the fever subsides and they regain their energy.

• Stomach flu: Gastroenteritis, often called the stomach flu, causes vomiting and diarrhea. It’s usually caused by a virus affecting the stomach and intestines and is very contagious. Staying hydrated is crucial.

• Pink eye: Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, causes red eyes with green or yellow discharge. Eyes might be sealed shut in the morning due to crusting. If this happens, gently soften and wipe away the discharge with a warm, wet washcloth. Pink eye is highly contagious and can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Sometimes antibiotic eye drops are needed.

Head lice are common and can affect anyone, regardless of hygiene or living conditions. While they can be inconvenient, they do not pose a health risk.

Notification and Treatment:

• If you discover lice on your child, please notify the school nurse. Students must be treated before returning to school.

• If your child has been identified with head lice during school, we will notify you.

• To maintain student confidentiality, we will not send whole-class notifications if there are fewer than three cases. Parents will be notified if there are three or more confirmed cases in a classroom within one month.

Prevention:

• Teach your child to avoid head-to-head contact and not to share personal items like hats and combs.
• Conduct weekly head checks for early detection. 

Identifying Head Lice:

• Look for small (about the size of a sesame seed), dark or gray insects, or their eggs (nits), which are tiny, shiny, and firmly attached to hair. Nits can be easier to spot than lice, especially in good light.

Treatment Options:

• Over-the-counter lice shampoos are available, and prescription options can be provided by your healthcare provider. Follow all instructions carefully, as multiple applications may be necessary.
• Consider using a metal nit comb for effective removal or seek assistance from local lice removal clinics if needed.
• If lice are found, check all family members daily for two weeks, treating only those with evidence of infestation.

Resources:

Seattle Children's Hospital - Head Lice

CDC- About Head Lice

CDC- Head Lice Treatment

American Academy of Dermatology -Head Lice Diagnosis and Treatment.

As we all know, Washington weather can be quite unpredictable throughout the year. Students in our schools spend time outdoors during the day, regardless of the weather conditions. With cooler weather becoming more consistent, we recommend that students dress in layers to stay comfortable and warm.

Dress in Layers
Ensure your child wears multiple layers of clothing that can be easily added or removed as needed.

Label Clothing
Label the inside of removable clothing items such as coats, gloves, and hats. This helps in recovering lost items from the school’s lost and found area.

Stay Informed
Be aware of weather occurrences like windstorms, snow, and power outages that can cause school disruptions, closures, and delays.

Communication Methods
The district uses various methods to communicate school closures and delays, including our website, social media, text messages, and email. Make sure your contact information is up to date in Skyward to receive timely notifications.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our students safe and prepared for any weather changes.