Hello, My name is Teresa Akers.

I am the School Nurse and provide health care services for the students and staff of Narrows High School.

My nursing responsibilities include:

-Physical and emotional assessment of students and staff as needed.
-Referring students to guidance counselor as needed.
-Encouraging MD evaluation as needed.
-Administration of care for medically fragile children.
-Administration of medication as needed or scheduled.
-Diabetic testing and insulin administration.
-Emergency care for illnesses and injuries.
-Management of communicable diseases.
-Immunization assessments and referrals.
-Assist school health nurse coordinator with health screenings.
-Monitoring of weight and Vital signs of staff and students per parent/MD request.
-Continuing Health Education for students and staff.
-Outreach and referral for those students who are eligible to be enrolled in Medicaid and FAMIS.

 

Reminder: All medications, prescription or over the counter must be delivered to school by parents/guardian, or other designated adults. Some parents continue to send medication to school with students. This medication cannot be administered until parent/guardian comes to the school and verifies signature on permission form. Students who bring medication to school are subject to be disciplined according to policy.

 

Cough drops and throat lozenges are not considered medication and students may carry them.

 

As we settle in to the 2007-2008 school year @ NHS, I would like to welcome everyone back. This is a new beginning.

I encourage you to be proactive in staying healthy. Any time that you are exposed to a large group of people your risk of getting sick increases. Your best defense against germs that cause illness is to practice frequent and proper hand washing. You should wet your hands, lather well with soap and water and using friction wash @ least 15-20 seconds, rinse well, and dry well. Follow a healthy diet and exercise plan. Drink @ least 64 oz. of water daily.

Please visit this website to view a great video: It is short, funny, and to the point: http://www.coughsafe.com/index.html

There have been recent reports by the media about a trend that is increasing amongst today’s’ adolescents.
It is sometimes called “dusting”, sometimes called “huffing” of canned office duster.

There has been reported incidence of fatalities and serious life changing illness due to this activity which deprives the body of life sustaining oxygen. In an article titled ”Dusted Off”, found @ www.snopes.com; according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the peak age of inhalant abusers is 14-15 years, with onset occurring in those as young as 6-8 years. This article is chilling and heartbreaking, well worth your time. You will find many reported articles by simply going to your web site and entering “huffing” or “dusting” or “office duster”.

I encourage you to keep this substance under lock in a safe place if you feel that you cannot do without it.

 

Please stay well, stay safe and have a great year!

I welcome your comments and suggestions.