At Highline, we’re building systems that help every student succeed, whether they need extra help, a challenge or individualized care. That includes how we support students' health and wellbeing during the school day.
This year, the Health Services Department is taking an intentional, data-informed approach to how school nurse offices operate. By building stronger routines, improving communication and piloting new tools, the team is working to:
- Keep students in class whenever possible.
- Make sure nurses can focus on students with more complex needs.
- Ensure every student gets consistent, high-quality care—no matter which school they attend. '
This work is part of Highline’s districtwide effort to build responsive, tiered systems of support - so every student gets what they need, when they need it.
Support for All Students: Building Strong Clinic Routines
This fall, Health Services reviewed school nurse data and saw a pattern: students were often visiting the nurse’s for minor concerns like small injuries that didn’t require a nurse. These visits often pulled students away from learning unnecessarily.
To address this, schools are reinforcing daily health routines that:
- Empower students to manage minor needs using classroom self-care kits (band-aids, tissues, etc.).
- Clarify when nurse office visits are appropriate through consistent signage and short videos.
- Provide staff with training and resources to support students in classrooms and common areas.
Teachers and school staff are getting resources and training to support these routines.
Support for Some Students: More Guidance When It’s Needed
Health Services is also working with the Social Emotional Learning team to pilot social-emotional screeners at White Center Heights Elementary and Highline High School. These tools can help staff notice when physical symptoms may be linked to feelings like anxiety or nervousness, so students can get the right support.
students who may need additional emotional support.
The team reviewed guidance from the National Association of School Nurses and School Nurses of Washington, which will help create a standardized approach across Highline schools.
Looking Ahead
The Health Services Department will continue to review data and staff feedback to refine nursing systems throughout the year. Building strong foundational routines allows nurses to provide more targeted care when students need additional support.
A Priority Area
This work is part of Highline’s strategic priority areas, specifically improving student support systems—our effort to provide individualized support to all students—academic, behavioral and emotional—to help each student build their strengths and thrive.