

SCS-SHAC News
School Health Advisory Council Vol. 4, Issue 1 January 2023
UPDATED: STRONG SCHOOLS PUBLIC HEALTH TOOL KIT
As of June 23, 2022, NCDHHS has sunset the StrongSchools NC Public Health Toolkit. Going forward, school administrators, staff, and families should now refer to the CDC’s Operational Guidance for K12 Schools for information on how to lower risk of COVID-19 in school settings.
Click below to view guidance
January is National Blood Donor Month
SHAC Member Highlight: Nicole Monroe
Nicole Monroe is the lead school nurse at Scotland County Health Schools. Below is a note from her as she is this month's SHAC Member Highlight...
I thought it would be appropriate to complete a highlight on myself since I am a new face chairing this council. I have been a school nurse with Scotland County Schools since 2013 and all my years have been based at Scotland High School. Scotland High has giving me a plethora of experiences to tackle my new role. I have been a member of SHAC since 2013 and the editor of the SHAC newletter since we started it. I was a nurse at FirstHealth Moore regional prior and I specialized in all areas such as Orthopedics, Urology, Cardiac, Oncology, Neuro, GI, Respiratory, Inpatient Rehab, Surgical...pretty much all areas except labor and delivery. In 2015, I was appointed to the Scotland County Board of Health in which I served on various commitees and served as Vice Chair. I am currently serving my 3rd consecutive term. My love and passion is with School Health which is a part of Public Health. During the pandemic being a school nurse was the most challenging years of my career but with teamwork we made it through. I accepted the position of Lead School Nurse in August 2022 when my mentor for many years and friend Darlene Macdonald retired. Big shoes to fill but am enjoying every moment of this experience as I am open to change. The state consultant Stephanie Locklear and my Director Dr. Patrick have been wonderful to answer questions and assist with any needs. The nurses I supervise make it enjoyable to complete the task I was given. Angela Nabors, Jillan Chavis, Amanda McNickle, Katherine Clark, Leslie Sheppard, Michelle Morgan, Debbie Mears, and Rebecca Winter as this highlight is about all of us. All of them are National Board Certified School Nurses (NCSN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This is a rare finding in any district to have ALL nurses board certified with a Bachelor's or higher. These wonderful nurses will step up the task everytime. Whether it is mass screenings to complete, data to report, or just watching them manage their schools while caring for and loving their students an staff with geniune compassion.. They are the best school nurses on the planet. So give them kudos if you happen to see one of them. Two claps and a Ric Flair to SCS School Nurses!
Contact information:
Nicole Monroe, BSN, RN, NCSN
Lead School Nurse
A.B. Gibson Education Center
SEarCH and Shaw Academy
322 S. Main St. Laurinburg, NC 28352
910-276-1138 ext. 384
JANUARY IS NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH
According to the American Red Cross, winter is “one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs.” That’s because of, among other things, busy holiday schedules and bad weather often resulting in canceled blood drives. Furthermore, seasonal illnesses such as the flu force potential donors to forgo their blood donations.
That’s just one of the reasons that National Blood Donor Month, which has taken place each January since 1970, is such an important observance. Donating blood saves many lives and improves health for many people. According to the World Health Organization, “blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components — red cells, platelets and plasma.”
School Health Liason Positions (Community Health Worker and Public Educator)
Per Amanda Deaver, MPA
Scotland County Health Director
"When we met in September I had no idea that it would take this long to identify a School Health Liaison but we have finally hired a Public Health Educator and a Community Health Worker to fill this position. Tariq Hargrove has accepted the Public Health Educator position and Erica Quick has accepted the position as the Community Health Worker. They are completing training at the present time and will be shadowing Janna Blue so that everyone gets to meet them. Below is a listed of things that they will be able to assist the school district with accomplishing this year:
- Be available to work with students and school personnel to answer questions and provide resource and referral information on immunizations, communicable diseases and other health questions that may arise
- Coordinate shared activities related to COVID-19 testing programs in schools and related response to test results and mitigation efforts
- Participate in the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
- Participate in open house or any parent involved meetings to provide health resources
- Coordinate the availability of OSHA-required vaccines for identified school staff through the LHD clinics and the billing of LEA for required services
- Act as a resource to the Lead Nurse/designees for OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens training and incidents in schools
- Coordinate the school health efforts between the LHD and all LEAs and schools in LHD county
- Provide Vaccine Information Statements to schools and encourage on-site clinic opportunities
- Share and include local school nurses in educational and workshop opportunities related to school health program needs.
- Participate with the Scotland County Schools Family Academy
- Provide resource information on tobacco cessation to staff and students
- Provide educational resources related to parenting teens and teen reproductive services
- Coordinate with the school district to hold a Spring Health Fair for students and parents to bring awareness to immunizations, communicable diseases and other health issues
We look forward to collaborating with Scotland County Schools and I am always available if you have any questions or concerns."
Scotland County Schools awarded $4 million grant
Scotland County Schools has been awarded a $4 million grant to help break the cycle of violence in the community.
Scotland County Schools' SAFE HARBOR (Scotland Assisting Families and studEnts exposed to pervasive violence tHrough strAtegies and inteRventions that will Break the cycle of violence in Our Rural community) grant was approved for $3,998,731 (approximately $4 million dollars) over the next five years.
The grant will provide funding for, a full-time project director, a part-time youth development specialist, two school mental health therapists, a psychologist to focus on regular education students, violence prevention and trauma, two day treatment teachers and two day treatment teacher assistants.
The goals of the SAFE HARBOR program are increased attendance, perception of safe schools, parent engagement, trauma-informed practices, Kindergarten readiness, and Reading/ELA performance.
SCS Superintendent Dr. Takeda LeGrand said, “I am grateful for the many community partners who wrote letters of support, Dr. Michael Riles for serving as the Project Manager and our elected officials who lobby and support funding for Project Prevent initiatives. Because of our collective efforts and commitment to Scotland County, everyone will benefit from the implementation of the SAFE HARBOR.”
Source: https://www.scotland.k12.nc.us
NC DHSS Dental Sealant Project 2023
Sycamore Lane Primary was chosen to complete the 2023 Dental Sealant Project by The NC DHSS Oral Health Program. All Kindergarten Students in the county were screened and 2 schools met the need for the project. The focus was how did the pandemic affect dental care of young children due to COVID-19 restrictions? Wagram Elementary and Sycamore Lane Primary were both high risk for future dental issues and has the need for care. Only one school could be chosen to complete the sealants. The nurses decided that Sycamore Lane would benefit from the project due to more children that would be getting served and staffing available to assist. All grades at Sycamore Lane will be served with this project.
For more information about this and Oral Health contact:
Johnnie Brigman MSHA, BSHD, RDH, CDA
Public Health Dental Hygienist-Region 6
Department of Health and Human Services, Oral Health Section
NC Department of Health and Human Services
Mobile: 919-353-4173
Free Sports Physicals
Date and Time TBA: In the planning stages
In partnership with Scotland Health Care Systems, Scotland High School will host FREE sports physicals in the New Gym for grades 7th-12th
Sports Physical Form
Click below for detailed information regarding regarding required vaccines
SCS EMPLOYEE HEALTH FAIR
PROPOSED MONTH and DATE IS March 20, 2023. PLANNING IN THE WORKS. MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW LATER.
Health Highlights and Holidays (Some are fun and light)
- National Blood Donor Month
- National Hug Day- Send a virtual hug to someone
- National Drug and Alcohol awareness
- Low vision awareness month
February
- Feb. 2: Groundhog Day
- National Children's Dental Health Month
Feb. 5 : National Give Kids a Smile https://nationaltoday.com/give-kids-a-smile/
Feb. 5: Go Red For Women
Feb. 14: Valentine's Day
American Heart Month
March
- Mar. 17: St. Patrick's Day
- Mar. 20: International Happiness Day
- National Nutrition Month
Important Dates
SHAC Meetings: March 16, 2023 (Virtual) and May 31, 2023 (In-Person)
Contacts
Nicole Monroe (Editor): School Nurse (AB. Gibson, SEarCH and Shaw Academy)
910-276-1138
Debbie Mears: School Nurse (Spring Hill Middle)
910-369-0590