To promote, protect, and enhance professional school nurse practice through advocacy, evidence-based education, collaboration, and partnerships that support each student’s well-being and readiness to learn.

TSNO’s Progress in Growth ~

Keeping in step with spring, the symbol of new beginnings and new growth, your TSNO Executive Committee has sprung into action in developing new opportunities for you to advance your school nursing education. As TSNO is committed to promoting and supporting the advancement of education of school nurses, we are thrilled to bring to your attention three exciting new education scholarships, available now: Take advantage of this opportunity to grow in your nursing specialty. Further information is offered below in this newsletter. Check it out… it’s just another benefit of being a TSNO member!

Another mark of new growth is our new, updated TSNO logo: It combines the pride we share in our Lone Star State, while combining the lamp as our symbol of nursing. This transformation took many months of discussion and choosing among many designs, but we felt this final version speaks volumes of our pride and professionalism of the Texas School Nurses Organization. I want to thank Joe Luna and Judy Kriehn in offering their talents and creativity, and the many volunteered hours they spent on our behalf.

It’s also exciting to see the steady growth in TSNO membership. We are now 2,199 active members strong! Thank you in renewing your membership while asking others to join us. Advocating is a key component to health promotion practice, while calling for the deliberate process of influencing others at the local, state and federal levels. Together, we have a powerful voice! Your Advocacy Chair, Emily Winn, continues her activism by meeting with legislators and government agencies in preparation of the upcoming 85th Texas Legislature Regular Session. If you are interested in becoming more involved in the legislative process, please contact Emily at emilywinn.tsno@gmail.com, as she would welcome your help.

I’d like to take this opportunity to promote NASN’s winter webinar series. I have viewed many of them, and have always come away impressed by the relevant and important information they share: For instance, check out Standards of Practice for School Nursing, Motivating Interviewing and more. I highly recommend you take advantage of these free webinars. You’ll be glad you did!

In closing, thank you to all Regional Presidents and other regional board members that attended this year’s TSNO Leadership Academy in March. Our progress would not be possible without the excellent leadership of your President-Elect, Lisa Sicilio, and mutual coordination by Sarah Batson, Regional President Coordinator. Together, they paved the way in providing us outstanding speakers with information we can share and use in our nursing practice.

All my best, and in your service,

Francis Luna, RN

TSNO President

Wanted to let rural nurses know that we need applications to fill this position. If you have questions and would like more information, please contact me. anita.wheeler@dshs.state.tx.us or call 512-776-2909

Call for School Registered Nurse from a Rural District – Deadline: April 15, 2016

The commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) requests your assistance in identifying a school registered nurse from a rural school district for membership on the DSHS Stock Epinephrine Advisory Committee. For detailed information and a complete application packet go to the Texas School Health Program's Food Allergy Webpage

Anita Wheeler RN, MSN
Administrator/Coordinator/Supervisor
Texas Department of State Health Service

The 2016 NASN ballot for this election opened on March 15, 2016 and will close promptly at midnight Eastern time on April 15, 2016.

NASN Active and Honorary classification members are eligible to vote in this election.

This year's election is to select:
• NASN Vice President for 2016 - 2018

Susan Zacharski Candidate Data and Statement of View

Cynthia Hiltz Candidate Data and Statement of View
• NASN Nominating Committee Member for 2016 - 2018

Debra Robarge Candidate Data and Statement of View

Rhoda Shepherd Candidate Data and Statement of View

By Laurie G. Combe, MN, RN, NCSN

As your NASN Director, I represent the interests and perspectives of Texas School Nurses on the NASN Board of Directors (BOD). As Director, I have learned about the variances in school nursing practice across our nation; some states have a school nurse mandate, some require certification as a school nurse, some allow delegation to unlicensed personnel, and others do not allow delegation of nursing duties. All of these variances are considered as your BOD makes decisions about guiding documents for school nurses, educational programming, and advocacy.

The past year has been exciting, as my colleagues on the BOD elected me to serve a two-year term as their representative to the NASN Executive Committee. As a result, NASN President Beth Mattey has assigned me responsibility for guiding the Governance Committee responsible for BOD development and education; evaluation of the organizational structure of NASN to ensure efficiency; oversight of ethical practice by the BOD, Executive Committee and NASN staff; and, succession planning for NASN officers.

In December 2015, the U.S. Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act. This important legislation codifies into US law the significant role school nurses play in chronic disease management. The Texas Education Agency is charged with developing the programming that interprets this law. It is important that school nurses be at the table as TEA develops statewide implementation of ESSA.

The BOD adoption of the Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice has created quite a buzz in school nursing circles. The Framework provides a simple way to organize our advocacy messages about school nursing, can provide a structure for school nurse evaluation, and help define areas for school nurse research. If you have not already, take the time to familiarize yourself with its concepts.

Via the Uniform Data Set, NASN is committed to research that describes our schools and school communities, the nature of school nursing practice and the outcomes of that practice. Campus level school nurses contribute to this important research through quality documentation and school nurse leaders contribute via submission of district level data to the Texas Department of State Health Services survey. The 2015-2016 Data Points have been refined since last year. I encourage you to Step Up and Be Counted!

Currently, the NASN BOD is in the process of updating guiding documents including the Definition of School Nursing, the NASN Code of Ethics, and the Scope & Standards of School Nursing Practice. More information about these important guiding documents for school nursing will be available in the coming months.

I welcome your comments and suggestions to inform my work with the NASN Board of Directors. You can reach me via email lcombe.tsno@gmail.com or via NASN School Nurse Net.

TSNO is now offering three different scholarship opportunities!

The purpose of the TSNO CNE Scholarship is to improve school nursing by assisting current TSNO members to pursue CNE Activities specific to School Nursing.

The TSNO Education Scholarship will help improve school nursing by assisting current licensed nurses to pursue advanced education at an approved School of Nursing.

The TSNO NBCSN Exam Reimbursement Scholarship will support national certification of school nurses by providing partial reimbursement of the NBCSN Examination fee.

Making Strides: State Report Cards on Support for Walking, Bicycling, and Active Kids and Communities

See how TEXAS is doing.

The report cards were developed by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership as part of a partnership with the YMCA of the USA, working together to support communities in becoming places where children and adults can be active and healthy. Support for the report cards was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Privacy Technical Assistance Center | U.S. Department of Education has a good checklist on Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services: Model Terms of Service that provides clear recommendations and best practice that can help schools protect student data.

Elections for the following TSNO positions will be held this fall. Only Active members of the TSNO shall be entitled to hold office.

President-Elect: Eligibility- shall have served on the TSNO Executive Committee.

The Treasurer and Nominations Coordinator shall be elected in even

numbered years and serve for a term of two years.

If you need more information on any of these positions or have an interest in being a candidate, please contact Katie Morton-Nominations Coordinator katiemorton.tsno@gmail.com or Francis Luna- President francisluna.tsno@gmail.com

TSNO Awards

School Nurse of the Year

Do you know a great nurse? Share all that she (he) does for students, faculty and community by nominating that nurse for Texas School Nurse of the Year. What makes a great school nurse? High expectations for ourselves and our students, the ability to actively listen, energy to go the extra mile, knowing when to ask for help and where to seek it out and a creative slant. Sound like someone you know? One applicant per region, must be submitted by the Region President.
Access Guidelines and Application Form.

Nomination form and all supporting documents must be received electronically no later than midnight CDT June 15.

School Nurse Administrator of the Year

Is your School Nurse Administrator head and shoulders above the rest? Do you want to recognize him or her for their leadership in school health? Then recognize them for the School Nurse Administrator of the Year award.
Access Guidelines and Application Form.

Nomination form and all supporting documents must be received electronically no later than midnight CDTJune 15.

Sunny Thomas Memorial Award

Purpose: To promote continuing education for the school nurse.

Award: Provides up to $1000 stipend to one Texas school nurse to attend NASN conference or any NASN sponsored conference.

Application must be received electronically no later than midnight CDTJune 15.

DSHS will be monitoring mosquito activity in certain state regions and has created the Zika in Texas website, where readers can find the breakdown of Zika cases by Texas county, related travel precautions, and tips on mosquito-bite prevention.

The newest edition of CDC Vital Signs focuses on the threat of Zika to pregnant women and their fetuses and the steps that can be taken by them, their partners and communities to thwart this public health risk.

I want to share with you the President's Endowment Challenge for 2016. The affiliate raising the most money for the Endowment Fund will have front row seats reserved especially for affiliate members at the NASN 2016 Conference sessions. We will celebrate your affiliate!

Below is a copy of the poster to share and the postcard "Growing Roots for Research". . These can be printed for use in your affiliate.

In order for your affiliate to be eligible for the President's Challenge please make sure all donations are submitted to the NASN office by June 15, 2016.

Monies raised for the Endowment Fund are used to support research about school nursing and the health of school-age children, and improve school nursing practice and school-affiliated delivery of health care. Grants may also be provided to proposals for innovative,uniquely creative projects, or proposals on significant current issues in school nursing or children’s health. Funds are also used to assist professional registered school nurses or school nurse educators to pursue graduate degrees or post-baccalaureate education.

Good luck and let's Grow Roots for Research!

Beth Mattey, MSN, RN, NCSN

President, National Association of School Nurses

In order to track your donation to the NASN Endowment fund as a Texas donation, make your check payable to TSNO with Endowment in the memo line.

TSNO Treasurer

Texas School Nurses Organization, Inc.

819 W. Arapaho Rd., Suite 24B, #345

Richardson, TX 75080

For more information contact Deidra Robertson- Ink Lake at deidra@camplonghorn.com

or Blair Manning- Indian Springs- blair@camplonghorn.com

Or apply online https://www.camplonghorn.com/SummerStaff/Apply

Although TSNO refers to and/or may provide direct access to documents and resources other than those owned or developed by TSNO, TSNO is not responsible for the content, format, accuracy or availability of such. In addition, TSNO does not have any editorial or other control over those materials. In addition, TSNO reserves the right to make necessary changes to NASN owned and developed materials without notice.

ELECTED OFFICERS:

PRESIDENT Francis Luna - Region X

francisluna.tsno@gmail.com

PRESIDENT-ELECT Lisa Sicilio - Region 6

lsicilio.tsno@gmail.com

TREASURER Joan Cary - Region X

jrcary@aol.com

Secretary Adalia Del Bosque - Region 1

adalia.delbosque@mcallenisd.net

NASN DIRECTOR Laurie Combe - Region 4

lcombe.tsno@gmail.com

NOMINATIONS COORDINATOR Katie Morton - Region X

katiemorton.tsno@gmail.com

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Diane Hunt Bullard - Region 20 tsnornplanner@gmail.com

ADVOCACY CHAIR Emily Winn - Region X

emilywinn.tsno@gmail.com

SCHOOL HEALTH ISSUES Karen Schwind - Region 13

karenschwind.tsno@gmail.com

MEMBER SERVICES Art Oaxaca Region 19

roaxaca@esc19hs.net

APPOINTED COORDINATORS:

Membership Coordinator Linda Howard - Region 8

lindahoward.tsno@gmail.com

REGION PRESIDENTS Coordinator Sarah Batson - Region 17

sbatson@shallowaterisd.net

EXHIBIT LIAISON Lisa Formby - Region 16

lisaformby@herefordisd.net

MARKETING COORDINATOR Martha Anderson - Region 14

manderson@hawley.esc14.net

WEBSITE LIAISON Kara Delay - Region 8

kdelay@atlisd.net

Email: lsicilio.tsno@gmail.com
Website: txsno.org
Location: Richardson, Tex, United States
Phone: (979) 694-5800
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Texas.School.Nurses.Organization
Twitter: @TxSchlNurses