Should you stay or should you go?

Stay home when you are sick, wash hands frequently, cover cough and sneezes.

Students will be kept home from school/sent home from school for any of the following symptoms that may indicate a communicable disease:

• Fever – oral temperature of 100.4 F or greater
• Shortness of breath and/or cough
• Red, draining eye(s)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Any symptom(s) causing great discomfort for the student (e.g., severe cough, sore throat, earache, headache)

Student may return to school after illness under the following conditions unless directed otherwise by local health jurisdiction:

• Fever-free without anti-fever medication for 24 hours
• Relief from symptoms including shortness of breath and/or cough
• No vomiting for 24 hours
• No diarrhea for 24 hours
• Note from health care provider indicating no longer contagious

Washington State Law (WAC 246-105) requires all new students to have a medically verified immunization record for school entry on or before the first day of school attendance.

The medically verified record includes one or more of the following:

• A Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) printed from the Immunization Information System (IIS)
• A physical copy of the CIS with a healthcare provider signature
• A physical copy of the CIS with accompanying medical immunization records from a healthcare provider verified and signed by school staff 
• A CIS printed from MyIR
• A Certificate of Exemption (COE) completed and signed by the parent/guardian and the healthcare provider for personal/philosophical, religious or medical exemption (no personal/philosophical exemption allowed for the MMR vaccine)
• A Certificate of Exemption (COE) completed and signed by the parent for religious membership exemption indicating membership in a church or religious body whose beliefs or teachings do not allow for medical treatment by a healthcare provider.

Click on any of the following resources for more information:

• 2023-24 Minimum Doses of Immunization Required for Enrollment
• 2023-24 Certificate of Immunization Status Form_English
• 2023-24 Certificate of Immunization Status Form_Spanish
• Health Care Resources
• Ways to Access your Family's Immunization Information

If a student needs a medication (prescribed or over the counter) at school, the parent/guardian must sign permission and provide a written order from a licensed health care provider. The appropriate form may be accessed below.

The medication must be brought to school in the original container.

MEDICATION PERMISSION FORMS:

• Asthma 
• Epinephrine
• Parent Permission for Over the Counter Medication  
• Other Medications

Head lice are small, crawling, wingless insects about the size of a sesame seed that lay tiny, tear drop shaped eggs or nits in the hair. Head lice are not a source of infection or disease; they are simply a nuisance. Anyone can get head lice, and it is not related to personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school. They do not jump, hop or fly but are transmitted by direct prolonged head to head contact. The symptoms of head lice include a tickling feeling of something moving in the hair, itching, or sores on the head/neck area caused by scratching. Treatment includes over the counter products, using a lice comb and/or by contacting your health care provider for appropriate treatment options.

• Peninsula School District Protocol for Management of Head Lice
• Head lice information for parents

FACTUAL INFORMATION ABOUT HEAD LICE:

• Lice: Washington State Department of Health
• Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know – HealthyChildren.org
• CDC – Lice – Head Lice – General Information – Frequently Asked Questions

Return to School After Concussion Form

Outdoor Pollutants

PSD will follow the direction of the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department on Wildfire smoke and air quality.

For current conditions, check the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency website.

The Washington Air Quality Guide for School and Child Care Activities will be followed to determine student recess, PE, and Athletic Events and Practices. 

As a general rule:

When the Outside Air Quality Index PM2.5 is between 51-100, parents with children with health conditions may opt that they remain inside during physical activities.

When the range is between 101-150, then recess and PE will be canceled for at-risk children and keep activity levels light, and outdoor athletic events and practices will be moved inside, postponed, and/or canceled.

If the range is 151 and higher, all outdoor activities are canceled, moved indoors, and/or postponed.

When air quality is of concern as evidenced by smoke or other pollutants, PSD will notify district staff and parents via Parentsquare, our website, and social media.  

COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses guidance

If a student or staff member is symptomatic of COVID-19 or any other respiratory virus they should stay home. As much as possible, you should stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both;

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, and; 
• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

How to prevent respiratory viruses

• Good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (cover your mouth/nose when sneezing or coughing).
• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces.
• Make sure buildings are well ventilated. 
• Get your COVID-19 and other vaccines.
• Stay home when sick or symptomatic with a respiratory virus.
• Wear a well-fitting, high quality mask.