FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L. JOHNSON
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
LINDA K. TAYLOR
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Contact Information:
Dianne Mennitt, MS, RN, NCSN
850-922-3727
dmennitt@tempest.coedu.usf.edu
MEMORANDUM
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K12: 2005-48
To:
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District School Health Coordinators
District Student Services Directors
From:
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Bambi J. Lockman, Chief
Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
Date:
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April 26, 2005
Subject:
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NATIONAL NURSE WEEK
The Florida Department of Education is committed to a seamless education system to improve
student learning opportunities. H
ealthy habits enhance student achievement. National Nurse
Week will be celebrated during the week of May 6-12, 2005. Florida has approximately 180,000
nurses with an active Florida license. These registered nurses and licensed practical nurses
provide a range of health services for preventive care and primary care in a variety of Florida
settings. This includes serving the students in school districts by coordinating school health
services and providing health education.
Many students come to school with health needs that may interfere with their ability to learn and
reach their full potential. Infections, injuries, asthma, diabetes, allergies, and emotional
difficulties related to these health conditions may lead to absences from school and, in some
cases, academic failure if left unattended or not addressed properly. We must work together to
ensure that students receive appropriate health services. The school nurse is an invaluable partner
in ensuring that students are healthy, safe, and prepared to be contributing members of our
society. According to the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), the role of the school
BAMBI J. LOCKMAN
Chief
Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 614 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0475 • www.fldoe.org
District School Health Coordinators
District Student Services Directors
April 26, 2005
Page Two
nurse is to advance the well being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To
that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote
health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; and actively collaborate
with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy,
and learning.
We encourage you to recognize your school nurses during National Nurse Week and especially
on May 11, 2005, National School Nurse Day. A printable National School Nurse Day brochure
is accessible online at http://sss.usf.edu/html/MiscFiles/markcal.htm or can be ordered from
NASN at http://www.nasn.org/profession/schoolnurseday.htm.
BL:dm
cc:
Sylvia Byrd, Executive Nursing Director for School Health