School Nursing and Student Health

School Nursing

School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential. Here’s a list of things school nurses commonly do:

Write care plans and coordinate the care of students with chronic or acute health conditions;
Communicate with teachers and staff to ensure the safety and well-being of students;
Administer medication and train school staff to provide medication administration;
Assist in the evaluation of students for special services;
Coordinate and provide health screenings;
Assist families in accessing health insurance and health care services; and
Educate and train staff on: life threatening allergies, diabetes, asthma, seizure disorder, and other acute and chronic conditions managed in the school setting

Contact Information

Sarah Brennan, school nurse
sarah.brennan@hoodriver.k12.or.us

Jennifer Wardell, school nurse
jennifer.wardell@hoodriver.k12.or.us

Helpful Information

School-Based Health Center

Too Sick for School?

Immunization Requirements and Resources

Oregon State Law requires that all children attending Oregon schools be immunized against certain contagious diseases that readily spread in the classroom, or meet the requirements for exceptions. Click on the following PDF file link, which will display each required shot for school-aged children and any children that will be enrolled in child care. At all ages and grades, the number of doses required varies by a child's age and how long ago they were vaccinated. Please check with your child's school, childcare, or healthcare provider for details.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the Hood River County Health Department at 541-386-1115.

2024-25 Immunization Requirements (English / Spanish)
2024-25 Immunization Form for School (English - Spanish)

Immunization and Exemption Rates for the 2023-24 School Year (English versions)

Tasas de vacunación y exención para el año escolar 2023-24 (versiones en español)

23-24 - Informe de Vacunación de la Escuela Primaria Cascade Locks
23-24 - Informe de inmunización de la escuela intermedia Hood River
23-24 - Informe de inmunización de la escuela secundaria de Hood River Valley
23-24 - Informe de inmunización de la escuela secundaria HROA de Hood River Valley
23-24 - Informe de inmunización de la escuela intermedia HROA Hood River
23-24 - Informe de Inmunización de la Escuela Primaria HROA Hood River
23-24 - Informe de inmunización de la Escuela Primaria May Street
23-24 - Informe de Inmunización de la Escuela Primaria Mid Valley
23-24 - Informe de Vacunación de la Escuela Primaria Parkdale
23-24 - Informe de Inmunización de la Escuela Primaria Westside
23-24 - Informe de Inmunización de la Escuela Intermedia Wyeast
Condado de Hood River

Medication Information and Forms

Home is the best place for your child to receive medication. If possible, spacing of medication dosages should be arranged to allow for home administration. The Hood River County School District follows state guidelines for medication administration. Please review the information below to ensure safe, accurate medication administration. Medication forms must be updated each school year.

Health Forms

Self Medication Agreement English
Self Medication Agreement Spanish
Severe Allergy Action Plan English
Severe Allergy Action Plan Spanish

All Medications

Medication must not be expired.
Medication must be Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. If the medication is not FDA approved then a signed prescription and treatment plan from a prescriber of Oregon licensed healthcare professional is required.
Medication must be transported to and from school by the parent/guardian or student (if self-consenting per Oregon law.)
Necessary paperwork is completed. (Medication authorization forms can be obtained in the office).
Adequate amount of medication is provided by the parent/guardian.
All changes in instructions must be in writing and cannot be accepted verbally.
All medications must be picked up at the end of each school year or they will be discarded.

Prescription Medications

Must be prepared and labeled by a U.S. pharmacist.
Label or prescriber's orders must have child's name, name of medication, route of administration, dose amount to be given at school, frequency/time of administration, and physician's name.
Must be in a prescription bottle.
Most pharmacists will provide two containers for prescription medication at home and school.
Students are allowed to self-administer prescription medications, carry emergency medications for immediate access IF permission is obtained and the Self-Administration Medication Authorization form is completed and on file in school office.

Nonprescription Medications

Must be in original container (no baggies, foil, etc.) and labeled with child’s name.
Physician order needed only when the parent’s instruction for administration contradicts the safe dosing instruction on the bottle/container.
Students are allowed to self-administer non-prescription medications IF permission is obtained and Self-Administration Medication Authorization form is completed and on file in the school office.

The school district reserves the right to reject a request for district personnel to administer, or to permit a student to administer to themselves, a medication when such a medication is not necessary for the student to remain in school.

Health Services Plan

This tool is designed to support districts to implement requirements found in OAR 581-022-2220. For more information on how to use this tool, please see the Instructions document. The first section of OAR 581-022-2220 requires school districts, education service districts, and public charter schools to develop, implement, and annually update a written prevention-oriented health services plan for all students. The plan must describe a health services program for all students at each facility that is owned or leased, where students are present for regular programming. The health services plan will be created and maintained by the administration of each district and charter school serving students. This tool facilitates self-evaluation of the required components of the rule.

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