Secondary School Nurse Newsletter

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Did you know more than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside of the hospital each year? Learn CPR today so you can be ready and become a part of the Nation of Lifesavers. Because no one, especially our most precious ones, should face a life-changing moment alone.

Teen dating violence is an issue that impacts everyone. Parents, teachers, friends, and communities can help prevent violence and promote safe, healthy relationships. Visit the Love is Respect webpage for programs, resources, and planning guides for young people, educators, and families.

Smile! February is National Children's Dental Health Month - a great time to promote the benefits of good oral hygiene. Developing good dental health habits (including regular dental visits) helps children get a jump start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.It is so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people of all ages around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.

SWISD has teamed up with University Health to offer vaccinations for students. An event will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 9 am to noon at Scobee Middle School. Please register to save your spot by clicking here or here for instructions and insurance questions.

Nemours Children’s Health developed Navigating the Health Care System, a free, four-unit health literacy curriculum for use with young adults. The curriculum is designed to prepare high school and college-age teens to be responsible for managing their own health care as they transition into adulthood. Lesson plan materials are suitable for in-class, in-home, after-school, and community settings, and can be taught virtually.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that has taken far too many lives. But together we can make a difference.

* Fentanyl poisoning is the leading cause of death for people ages 18 to 45 in the U.S.

* 99% of fentanyl overdoses are accidents.

*Over 150 people die EVERY day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

*The number of fentanyl-related deaths in Texas has almost doubled in just one year.

*Fentanyl kills one person every 8.57 minutes.

*Data indicates that there was an 89% increase in fentanyl-related deaths reported in 2021 compared to 2020. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of the Texas Governor)

Prevent Blindness Texas (PBT) created a Back-to-School Toolkit to help families, caregivers, and health professionals understand children’s vision and its importance in education. PBT has certified external instructors who can work with your district’s health services department to provide state vision screening certification to school nurses, parents, and community volunteers. PBT offers free eye exams and/or eyeglasses for qualifying students and their families. The PBT application, available in English and Spanish, must be completed by the parent/guardian and submitted by the school or parent/guardian via email at info@pbtexas.org. For more information, visit the PBT Back-to-School webpages.

The SWISD Health Services department looks forward to the 2024-25 school year and caring for student(s). Updated physician’s orders are REQUIRED each school year to provide physician prescribed health services to students. SWISD staff is not permitted to administer medications or medical procedures without updated physician’s orders.

• The use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults.
• Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.1
• E-cigarettes can contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.
• Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.

Cold and Flu Season is upon us! Please follow proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette to help prevent the spread of unwanted germs

University Health and Southwest ISD are excited to have a School-Based Telehealth Program that serves our students and staff at Southwest ISD. Through this program, medical exams are provided remotely, connecting our students in the school nurse’s office to a University Health Board Certified Healthcare Provider. This partnership with University Health takes their already offered telehealth video visits one step further. With the use of advanced handheld technology, this program allows the provider to examine, diagnose, and treat common conditions related to the student’s ears, lungs, heart, throat, skin, abdomen, and temperature — all without being in the same room. This is a convenient and accessible option for your child or for yourself to be seen by an experienced provider right from a SWISD school campus.

For more information, click here.