Health Services - Who are We and What do We Do?

The Health Services Department is dedicated to supporting the health, safety, and well-being of all students so they can fully participate in their educational experience. Our team of Health Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), and district health leadership works collaboratively with students, families, school staff, healthcare providers, and community partners to help ensure students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

Health Services provides a wide range of services designed to support student health and remove barriers to learning. These services include:

• Managing chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, seizure disorders, and severe allergies
• Providing first aid and responding to illnesses, injuries, and medical emergencies during the school day
• Administering medications and monitoring prescribed treatments in accordance with healthcare provider orders and district policies
• Evaluating health concerns and helping determine when students can safely remain in school or may require additional care
• Developing and implementing individualized healthcare plans to support students with medical needs
• Coordinating care and communication between families, healthcare providers, and school personnel
• Supporting student attendance by addressing health-related barriers to learning
• Training school staff on health procedures, emergency response, medication administration, and student-specific healthcare needs
• Promoting health education, wellness, and disease prevention throughout the school community
• Ensuring compliance with state and federal health requirements, including immunization and health screening programs

Every day, our Health Services team provides care, support, advocacy, and reassurance to thousands of students across the district. From responding to medical emergencies and managing complex health conditions to providing a bandage after a playground injury or a snack for a student who is hungry, we are often the first place students turn when they need help. We also partner closely with teachers, administrators, and support staff, offering guidance, training, and resources that support safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments in every school. Our goal is to ensure every student feels safe, supported, healthy, and ready to learn, while also supporting school staff in their classrooms so they have the tools and confidence to meet student needs throughout the day.

Through compassionate care, collaboration, and evidence-based practice, Health Services helps students stay healthy, engaged, and ready to learn.

Healthy Students. Bright Futures.

This reflects our commitment to students, families, and school communities. For students, it means they are cared for, supported, and able to focus on learning. For families and school staff, it represents the partnership that helps remove barriers to education and ensures every child has the opportunity to thrive—academically, socially, and physically.

 

Why Health Services Matter

At Health Services, our goal is simple: help students stay healthy, safe, and ready to learn each day. When students’ health needs are supported, they are better able to attend school, focus in class, and fully participate in learning.

Student health and academic success are closely connected. Health supports help remove barriers that can interfere with learning, attendance, and engagement

Health Needs Are Common in Schools

Health needs are part of everyday school life.

• More than 40% of students have at least one chronic health condition
• In a typical classroom, 4–5 students may need ongoing health support
• About 1 in 13 children has a food allergy
• Asthma is one of the leading causes of school absences

These conditions may require monitoring, care, or quick response during the school day.
(Managing Chronic Health Conditions)

Attendance Matters

Attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success.

Nearly 1 in 3 students nationally is chronically absent, and health-related needs are a major contributing factor to missed school time. Even a small number of absences can add up and impact learning over time.

Supporting student health helps keep students in school and engaged in learning.
(U.S. Department of Education)

What Health Services Does

Each day, school health staff:

• Care for students who become ill or injured
• Support chronic health needs
• Administer medications
• Communicate with families and healthcare providers
• Help students safely return to class

These services help students remain in school whenever possible and continue learning.

Research shows that school health services improve the management of chronic health conditions and are associated with improved student attendance and academic-related outcomes such as school engagement and educational progress.
(CDC School Health Services / WSCC Framework)

Supporting Rural Schools

In rural communities, school health services are especially important. When emergency response times are longer and families are farther away, school staff often provide the first level of care. Timely assessment and communication help ensure student safety and appropriate next steps.

What We Support

Health Services helps students:

• Come to school
• Stay in school
• Be safe
• Be healthy
• Be ready to learn

This supports:

• Stronger attendance
• Less missed instruction
• Safer school environments
• Better communication with families
• More equitable access to learning
   

Healthy Students. Bright Futures.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: students learn best when they are healthy, safe, and supported.

Whether caring for illness or injury, supporting chronic conditions, or partnering with families and staff, our goal is always the same—to help students stay present, engaged, and ready to learn.

Because when students are healthy, they are better prepared to learn, grow, and build bright futures