[MaineSchoolNurse] School Health Matters: Maine School Nurse Bulletin- March 2025

[DeCato, Sarah]

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School Health Matters: Maine School Nurse Bulletin
March 2025
Maine Department of Education
Highlights from the Field

Congratulations to Paula Huntsman of Lamoine Consolidated School in Hancock County who recently obtained the National Board-Certified School Nurse (NCSN) credential! Bravo!

NBCSN Study Group Spring Session begins May 5th. Join your school nurse regional liaisons in this 8-week free and informal group study session, in preparation for taking the national certification for school nursing (NCSN). We will discuss resources provided by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN), as well as some helpful tips and tricks. This group of interested registered school nurses will drive the subject matter focus, and format of group study.
Register for the Spring Session HERE<https://www.maine.gov/doe/schoolsupports/schoolhealth/professionaldevelopment#calendar-6c6f22e1-033b-47cd-8ea3-0906acf8c9e4-event-lyq6ybj5>
See Maine NBCSN Exam Stats, here<https://nbcsn.learningbuilder.com/Public/MemberSearch/Search?model.FirstName=&model.LastName=&model.UniqueId=&model.City=&model.State=ME&attr.Affiliation=&performSearch=true>
See New Hampshire NBCSN Exam Stats here<https://nbcsn.learningbuilder.com/Public/MemberSearch/Search?model.FirstName=&model.LastName=&model.UniqueId=&model.City=&model.State=NH&attr.Affiliation=&performSearch=true> as we have school nurses in Maine who reside over the state border.


Invitation

American Heart Association Basic Life Support Renewal Courses:
School Nurse Regional Liaisons will be offering American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) recertification in each region this semester. This course is targeted toward school nurses who need to renew their current BLS certification and features comprehensive BLS renewal training on how to respond to an assortment of common medical emergencies as a solo or team rescuer.  Attendees are recommended to have a current 2020 AHA BLS textbook<https://shopcpr.heart.org/bls-provider-manual> (which can be purchased online). There is a $5 fee for the BLS eCard. There will also be an optional hands-on skills session for those interested in certifying for STOP THE BLEED® We are happy to offer this bonus training to school nurses at no cost.

Dates and locations
Western Region:
Buckfield Junior/Senior High School: March 20, 2025, 12pm-4pm
Western BLS Registration<https://www.maine.gov/doe/calendar#calendar-6c6f22e1-033b-47cd-8ea3-0906acf8c9e4-event-m6urq1d2>

Central Region: George J. Mitchell School on March 26th at 3:30 pm. Register Here!<https://www.maine.gov/doe/schoolsupports/schoolhealth/professionaldevelopment#calendar-6c6f22e1-033b-47cd-8ea3-0906acf8c9e4-event-m7uocu9h>
Southern Region: TBD – Message Lori.Huot at maine.gov<mailto:Lori.Huot at maine.gov> if you’re in need of renewal.

Vote for the Maine CDC School Oral Health Program Poster Contest<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sohp> until the end of the day on Tuesday, March 11th!

Help families move more with the Let’s Go! Move More Challenge<https://www.mainehealth.org/lets-go/community-settings/parents-caregivers/join-move-more-challenge?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMABhZGlkAAAGCOlLrIQBHcj_GgYMJl-jF3En2Qu-Q5ouL2L4tXf9Brvs11JmhdZ8iZh8xg3GSzf8Sg_aem_dK82boae-fkoElu06bVSaQ&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=6635301949116&utm_content=6635301949316&utm_term=6635301949516&utm_campaign=6635301949116>. Join the challenge to win a ticket to the 2025 Portland Sea Dogs game! Learning to move gives children the ability, confidence, and desire to lead a healthy life. One hour or more of activity each day helps mental wellness, increases academic performance and improves sleep. You can break up the time throughout the day. There are all types of movement that count towards physical activity. Need ideas?<https://assets.mainehealth.io/s3fs-public/2024-02/Move-More.pdf> We’ve got them! 

Maine Needs was founded on the belief that the things you donate should reach the people that need them most, at no cost. Since 2020, they’ve distributed more than 906,000 essential items and filled more than 34,000 requests. Check out this community resource!
https://www.maineneeds.org/


Announcements

Exciting Lending Library Pilot Program!
We have heard from some of you that you wish you could more easily provide various training to staff or other people in your school community, but you don’t have the right equipment. We heard you and we took action. We have set up a system to offer a lending library as a pilot program! We are starting simple with but may expand to include other items if there is a need and this process is successful.
Inventory Includes: STOP THE BLEED® Training Kit, AED Trainers, CPR Manikin Set (adult/infant).

In order to borrow equipment from this lending library there are some assurances that we require:
(1) The request is being made by an RN working in a Maine PreK-Grade 12 school.
(2) The RN has knowledge and skills required to utilize equipment.
(3) The equipment will be kept in a secure location.
(4) The equipment will be cleaned with wipes provided prior to returning them to storage space.
(5) All borrowed equipment will be returned within the agreed time.

Upon return of the equipment, an evaluation will be completed. The evaluation is vital for determining the library's effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement. Are you interested in borrowing from the Lending Library? Complete the Request Form Now!<https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=q6g_QX0gYkubzeoajy-GTsNW3El-C_5Fk5NV88SOugNUOTUzSlU3TVdUOTdNSVBaRFpWSExZWUJUMC4u>

Amanda Rowe Scholarship<https://maineschoolnurse.nursingnetwork.com/page/35711-amanda-rowe-memorial-scholarship> announcement and application are posted on the MASN website. This award, named in memory of School Nurse Amanda C. Rowe<https://rowe.portlandschools.org/about1/about1-clone>, is available to Maine school nurses who have a desire to pursue professional development to advance their practice.
Three $500.00 scholarships and five $335.00 scholarships may be awarded. Funds may be used for any professional development related to school nursing practice. Please email your application and accompanying documents to me by the deadline of Friday March 21st.

Browntail Moths<https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEDACF/bulletins/3d37413>
From the Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation & Forestry: Schools are critical spaces to recognize and respond to browntail moth (BTM) infestations to avoid impacts to students and staff. While long-lasting tree defoliation and branch dieback are concerns, impacts to the health of students and staff are the most pressing concerns around schools. Read the full bulletin at the link provided above.

The Sample Collaborative Practice Agreement<https://www.maine.gov/doe/schoolsupports/schoolhealth/guidelines/emergencycare#:~:text=Toolkit%20for%20Schools-,Sample%20Collaborative%20Practice%20Agreement,-American%20Academy%20of> is now available online. The formatting was updated, as well as the verbiage from legislation that states: "Epinephrine autoinjector" means a single-use device used for the automatic injection of a premeasured dose of epinephrine into a human body or another single-use epinephrine delivery system approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for public use. This was done in preparation of the upcoming availability of neffyinSchools<https://www.neffy.com/community-programs/> for individuals who weight sixty-six pounds or more.

Any school administrative unit (SAU) that generates sharps as a result of the administration of medications, vaccines, etc., needs to be registered as a biomedical waste generator with the State of Maine. General biomedical waste management information can be found on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.maine.gov%2fdep%2fwaste%2fbiomedical%2findex.html&c=E,1,sRnFfTg4CihqhorOXsUhLLp9u48fN07eI0ySyyaH_ILm_Hc4Y4_HYUMaYEObqz9RiR964i4jhaW4sBvFQ76Ad9ReHN7AXTPnA6jU8qmPijJBlcPS4g,,&typo=1> website. More detailed information can be found in Emily’s follow up email from 3/5/25 school nurse office hours.  A wider communication to school administrators on this topic will be forthcoming.

Keep Children Safe by Keeping Families Strong: Maine’s Child Safety and Family Well-Being Plan (2025-2030)<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/programs-services/human-services/child-safety-and-wellbeing-plan> The Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Child Welfare Action Network<https://mechildwelfarenetwork.org/> have partnered on Maine's Child Safety and Family Well-Being Plan. Rooted in the guiding principle that "We can keep children safe by keeping families strong," the plan serves as both a theory of change and a call to action. Everyone -- from state agencies and community organizations to neighbors, friends, and professionals, can support families in some fashion. By supporting families earlier, we can create the conditions for strong families and limit the need for involvement by the child welfare agency.

Measles Information
CNN has a tracker<https://www.cnn.com/health/measles-cases-us-dg/index.html> of US measles cases this year in each state which they are updating weekly.
Maine CDC webpage on Measles.<http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/measles>
Last year, the Maine CDC sent a Health Alert on Health Care Preparedness and Response for Measles -March 7, 2024 - Advisory (PDF)<https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=12472708&an=1>  Information Sheet<https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=12472708&an=2>

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Maine Immunization Weekly Program Update - February 28, 2025<https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/MEHHS-3d4b1ee?wgt_ref=MEHHS_WIDGET_7>: See section on Measles Outbreaks are On the Rise: How to Stay Informed and Protected<https://stateofmaine-my.sharepoint.com/personal/amy_belisle_maine_gov/Documents/Desktop/COVID%2019/79.%20March%202025/March%207%202025.docx#link_7>
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AAP resource Think Measles: Recognizing and Addressing Measles in Pediatric Practice<https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/infection-prevention-and-control/project-firstline/think-measles/?srsltid=AfmBOooRCgPYXp3mtqSOBr9I9SYPoOygo1Ja206Q7bwtlPZSTPtdL7uh>
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Red Book Online on-demand webinar “Identifying Measles in the Pediatric Setting”<https://publications.aap.org/redbook/resources/29920?autologincheck=redirected>
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AAP Red Book chapter on measles<https://publications.aap.org/redbook/book/755/chapter/14079321/Measles?autologincheck=redirected>
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Information for health care providers from the CDC on measles<https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/clinical-overview/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/index.html>
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Information for families from HealthyChildren.org on how to protect children during a measles outbreak<https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/how-to-protect-your-children-during-a-measles-outbreak.aspx?_gl=1*1nm0sp6*_ga*NDgxNTkzMjg3LjE3MjQ5NTg1NTQ.*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTc0MDYwMjQ3Mi4zNjQuMS4xNzQwNjAyNzcxLjAuMC4w>
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FAQs on how to protect babies from a measles outbreak from HealthyChildren.org<https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Protecting-Your-Baby-from-a-Measles-Outbreak-FAQs.aspx?_gl=1*1nm0sp6*_ga*NDgxNTkzMjg3LjE3MjQ5NTg1NTQ.*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTc0MDYwMjQ3Mi4zNjQuMS4xNzQwNjAyNzcxLjAuMC4w>



Are you familiar with the Maine Prevention Network?<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/prevention/maine-prevention-network.shtml> Find your county level contact and reach out to learn more about resources that can be brought to your schools on various topics to include tobacco prevention and control, substance misuse prevention, healthy eating and active living, youth engagement and empowerment.

Webinars and Upcoming Trainings

Maine Family Planning, Puberty Happens Curriculum Training<https://mainefamilyplanning.org/for-educators/training-workshops/>, March 18. Puberty Happens is a curriculum aligned with Maine’s Learning Results and the National Sex Ed Standards covering the changes of puberty, reproductive anatomy, hygiene, healthy friendships, and consent. Join colleagues from around the state to learn about the 2024 edition of Puberty Happens and the key components within a puberty education program. Participants will leave the training with new lessons and activities to implement in the classroom or to use one-on-one with young people navigating the many changes of puberty.

Mosquito-Borne Disease: Bites that Pack a Punch<https://promedsoftware.com/march-webinar>
Mar 20, 2025, 2:00-2:30 PM
This presentation offered through PSNI provides guidance for counseling students, parents, and collogues of mosquito-borne diseases, based on where they live, and travel, to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases. It focuses on vector behavior, risk, prevention, symptoms, and management of the diseases.

Balancing the Roles of Family Supporter and Mandated Reporter<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CKWFSZM?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery>
Monday March 31, 2025, 12-1 PM
This webinar follows a series of recorded webinars<https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mechildrenstrust.org%2Fwebinar.asp%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010101957169ee70-11c3b7fd-056c-4d62-95a4-3cac01af1d86-000000/FmVc-G2HhCQnL3Yu5S8MRSZ2590NWxSEar-Tqayim3Y=395> held over the past several years where strategies have been shared including what individuals and policymakers can do to strengthen and support families as a means to prevent child abuse and neglect and other adverse conditions.



Have families that need additional support? The Community Care Referral Form<https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/equity/community-care-referrals.shtml> helps connect people throughout Maine with community organizations to meet social service needs, including cultural and linguistic-specific needs.

School Health Services Webpage<https://www.maine.gov/doe/index.php/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines>

We strive to fill the School Health Services Webpage<https://www.maine.gov/doe/index.php/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines> with all you need for your school nursing practice. If you find it is difficult to navigate, is missing information, has broken links, or have suggestions, reach out to Lori Huot @ lori.huot at maine.gov<mailto:lori.huot at maine.gov>. If you are unable to locate needed resources or guidance, reach out to your Regional School Nurse Liaison.




_____________________________________


Sarah DeCato, MSN, RN, NCSN (She/Her)
School Nurse Specialist-Coordinated School Health
Office of School and Student Supports
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Email: sarah.decato at maine.gov<mailto:sarah.decato at maine.gov>
Phone: 207-441-3812
Maine DOE<http://www.maine.gov/doe> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/mdoenews> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en> | Maine DOE Newsroom<https://mainedoenews.net/> |Maine Guidelines for School<https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines> <https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines> Health<https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/healthed/nurseresources/guidelines>


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