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Vaccinations are required by Washington state law for school attendance

All immunization records turned in to schools are required by state law to be medically verified. This means immunization records must be from a health care provider, or you must attach paperwork from a health care provider to your handwritten form that shows your child’s records are accurate. All forms must be submitted before your child can attend school.

Medically verified immunization records can be any one of the following:

• Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) (English | Español) signed by a healthcare provider.
• A Certificate of Immunization Status form filled out by you, or another parent/guardian, with medical records attached.
• A Certificate of Immunization Status form printed by a health care provider or school from the Washington State Immunization Information System.
• A Certificate of Immunization Status form printed from MyIR. MyIR is a free Department of Health online tool that allows you to manage your family's immunization records securely online. Once you register, you can access the records anytime and print your child’s Certificate of Immunization Status. Visit the Department of Health for more information.

If you are requesting an exemption for one or more immunization requirements, you must provide the school a completed Certificate of Exemption (English | Español) signed by your medical provider. Personal exemption cannot be accepted for the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccination; only medical or religious exemptions are allowed.

If you have questions about immunization records or status, please contact your school's nurse.
 

Immunization Forms

A Seizure Action Plan contains the essential information school staff may need to help a student who has seizures. It includes first aid instructions, parent and health care provider contacts, and medications specifically for that child. Seizure Action Plans help parents and schools partner to keep children safe and healthy during the school day.

Please contact your school's nurse to discuss specifics for your child.

Seizure Forms

If your child needs to receive medication during school hours, state laws must be met before the medication may be used at school. Ephrata School District Policy #3416 is in place to meet Washington State law and ensure your child’s health and safety.

• All medication, including over-the-counter products, must have doctor’s orders with the medical provider’s signature and parent/guardian signature. Orders are valid for one school year only.
• Medication must be in the original container or prescription bottle labeled with instructions. You may request a bottle from your pharmacist labeled for school administration only.
• Medicine must be transported to and from school by a parent or adult and checked in at the school office.
• On early dismissal days, medication will be administered if the recommended dose falls within school hours.
• For a student to carry emergency medication (e.g., asthma inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors), the health care provider, parent, and school nurse must all agree the child is capable of self-administration. Medication must be kept in the labeled, original container, with doctor’s orders on file.
• Epinephrine auto-injectors that do not require drawing up dosages are the only emergency anaphylactic medication the school will accept. It is recommended to have two: one for the student to carry (if age-appropriate) and one to leave at school.
• Any extra medications at the end of the year will be kept at the office for pickup. Unclaimed medication after 10 days will be destroyed.
• Pills should be cut in half by the pharmacist or parent, not by school employees or the child.

Thank you for your cooperation in following these rules to ensure safe medication administration for your child at school.

*Please Note: Some linked forms in Spanish have English instructions on the first page. This page is intended for medical practitioners in English; page 2 instructions are for parents/guardians in Spanish.

Medication at School Forms

Concussions

Concussions can happen to any athlete — male or female — in any sport. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury, caused by a blow or jolt to the head that can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. We invite parents to learn more by clicking on the fact sheet link below.

• Learn more about concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

Head Lice

Lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and crawl through hair. Lice need human blood to live, and they die within 24 hours if they cannot feed. Lice lay eggs (nits) that cling to the hair close to the scalp. Nits are oval shaped and most often can be seen in the hair and behind the ears or neck. Lice hatch from nits after about 6 days and can lay more eggs after 10 days. Head lice are not a sign of uncleanliness, and they do not spread disease. The most common symptom of lice is itching the scalp.  

There are many ways to treat active infestations, but not all products and techniques have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness. One percent permethrin lotion is recommended as initial treatment for most head lice infestations with a second application 7-10 days after the first. Parents and caregivers should make sure that any treatment chosen is safe; preferred treatments would be those which are easy to use, reasonably priced, and proven to be non-toxic. All products must be used exactly according to manufacturer’s instructions. Your pediatrician can help with diagnosis, treatment choices and management of difficult cases.

• Learn more about head lice.
• Learn more about preventing the spread of head lice.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that bite but do not transmit disease. It is unlikely for bed bugs to become established in a school—they are more typically found in homes or places where people sleep, as they are most active at night when they feed. However, they can be brought into a school on clothing or in personal belongings. 

The Cold You Prevent May Be Your Own

During the winter months we have a higher number of students staying home ill with the common cold, flu, strep throat or other respiratory illness. Too often, however, very ill students come to school and unwittingly expose their classmates and teachers to their illnesses. Exposure can occur by inhaling germs released during a sneeze or cough or by touching doorknobs, pencils, other items or other surfaces contaminated by the infected person and then by touching the eyes or nostrils, allowing the germs to enter the respiratory system. Sometimes exposure is inevitable. But we do have several ways to protect ourselves.

• Frequent handwashing, with soap and warm water, scrubbing for about 15 seconds is most important.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes and nose.
• Avoid people who are ill.
• Don't share food, beverages or eating utensils with someone who is ill.
• Keep your body in top form by eating right, getting enough rest and exercise, and by avoiding stress.

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Student Health Forms