Health and Safety at Gardner School
At Gardner, keeping our campus safe and secure means all of us working together, from preparing for emergencies and supporting our staff to keeping illness from spreading. Here is a closer look at what that means day to day, plus a few reminders for the new school year.
How does Gardner prepare for emergencies?
We plan ahead. Gardner maintains a full Emergency Operations Plan, monitored cameras and multiple communication channels for staff and administration, and we review these systems regularly so they keep getting better.
We practice often. Students take part in monthly evacuation drills to our neighbor Smith-Root, along with quarterly drills covering earthquakes, severe weather, wildfires and unknown individuals on campus.
We lean on our neighbors. Gardner has built relationships with Smith-Root, Semi Truck Parts, iTech and WSU-Vancouver, and we stay in regular contact so everyone is ready to communicate quickly if an emergency affects any of our locations. Gardner is also on WSU-Vancouver's emergency communication list.
We keep our staff trained. Staff are certified in basic CPR and First Aid, with training renewed before certification expires, and they complete additional training on responding to emergencies such as severe allergic reactions.
How does Gardner handle immunizations and illness?
As a licensed school, Gardner follows all required guidance from the Department of Health regarding immunizations and exclusion due to illness. Each year, we check student immunization records and follow Department of Health rules for required childhood vaccinations. A full list of required immunizations is available on the Department of Health website.
COVID and flu vaccinations are not currently required, but they remain one of the most effective ways to protect children and adults from severe illness.
What Gardner does
Our buildings use MERV-13 filtration and increased ventilation, along with ample time outdoors
Staff monitor student symptoms while at school and contact families if a child is unable to stay due to illness
We work with Clark County Public Health and the Washington Department of Health to report any reportable illness outbreaks
When to keep your child home
Children with any of the following symptoms should not come to school. These guidelines follow recommendations from Clark County Public Health and the Washington State Department of Health.
Fever of 100°F or higher, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (two or more episodes in 24 hours). Children should be symptom free for at least 24 hours before returning to school
Rash. Please keep your child home until a licensed health provider has cleared the rash or it has resolved, especially if other symptoms are present
Eye drainage or pink eye
Earache, ear drainage, sore throat or runny nose with yellow or green discharge
Cough. If there are no other symptoms present, children may attend school but will be asked to wear a mask until the cough resolves
Let us know if your child is out by calling the front office at 360-574-5752 and sending an email to your child's homeroom teacher to let them know.
