Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 2, 2025

The inspiration for integrating music into school health offices came to life during a conversation with Eileen Gavin, President of the New Jersey State School Nurses Association. And while, I did not do quantitative research, from an anecdotal perspective, it had a very positive impact on our school community.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 5, 2024

Rogers even maintained a consistent weight of 143 pounds for decades, viewing it as a symbol of love, stability, and care, values that resonate deeply with our work in schools. It’s an opportunity to show love and kindness to those around us, just as Fred Rogers did every day, fostering a culture of empathy in our schools and beyond.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Finally, some positive news in emergency preparedness for schools: Maryland’s new active shooter drill guidelines , set to take effect in the 2025 school year, mark a significant shift towards prioritizing student mental health while maintaining effective emergency readiness. Clear communication is at the heart of these changes.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 25, 2025

I’m honored to share a recently published article in JAMA Health Forum, “ Role of School Nurses in the Health and Education of Children, “ co-authored with my esteemed colleagues Rosa M. Challenges facing school nurses, such as inadequate funding, overwhelming caseloads, and staffing shortages.

Schooling

SHAPE America

JULY 29, 2025

As the wellness manager for my school district, one of my job responsibilities includes implementing the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) in our schools — essentially, making the school day more active. It supports students’ academic achievement, mental health and overall well-being.

Physical Activity

SHAPE America

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

I also coach golf and am an assistant athletic director at our school, but I have always thought of myself as a teacher first. In March 2024, I was lucky enough to be named the 2024 SHAPE America National High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year! No student should ever graduate high school without knowing how to swim.

PE

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 4, 2025

By adhering to well-established scientific criteria, the advisory provides a robust foundation for its conclusions. The Role of School Nurses in Public Education School nurses are uniquely positioned to help bridge the public awareness gap regarding alcohols link to cancer. Resources: Alcohol and Cancer Risk The U.S.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 8, 2025

Or do we choose a different pathone of joy, health, and fulfillment, where we turn toward each other instead of away from each other; where we choose love over fear; where we recognize community as the irreplaceable foundation for our well-being? – U.S. Engage with students, staff, and faculty beyond the health office.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 20, 2025

The landscape of education and community support is changing rapidly, and my school district, along with many others, finds itself at a critical intersection of policy, protection, and principle. My district’s response is clear: We will not allow fear to penetrate our school walls.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

JULY 27, 2025

Chronic hunger increases the risk of long-term health problems and erodes emotional well-being. A few hours a month at a food pantry, school meal program, or community garden can make a difference. Start a school backpack program or support existing ones that send food home with students on weekends. That’s how movements grow.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

JULY 1, 2025

Imagine over 1000 school nurses gathered in one space, each carrying stories of the deep knowing that what we do matters. There was a sense of anticipation in the air—an eagerness to learn, reconnect, and tackle the evolving challenges of school health together. newjersey was well represented!!! Click to view slideshow.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 27, 2024

As we wrap up 2024, Im grateful and amazed at how far we’ve come together through The Relentless School Nurse blog. Throughout 2024, our community has fearlessly confronted critical issues facing school nursing. We’ve also prioritized our well-being, recognizing its importance in sustaining our vital work.

Schooling

SHAPE America

DECEMBER 3, 2024

at Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., Roger, however, arrives late, having dropped off his younger siblings at school. It shows my students the bigger picture: locations, costs and customers who typically have access to these different health and wellness spaces. The bell rings at 9 a.m.

Physical Education

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Palo School nurse Mandy Palo, known on TikTok as Mrs. Palo , has carved out a unique niche for herself in the digital world, blending her professional expertise with the vibrant, engaging format of social media. From there I spent a few years in outpatient mental health and then made the jump to school nursing. Hi, I’m Mandy!

Middle School

Relentless School Nurse

MARCH 7, 2025

Sharing an important letter (linked here), signed by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) along with 64 organizations and allies of the Medicaid in Schools Coalition. By ensuring access to necessary healthcare, Medicaid helps students attend school regularly and perform better academically. It provides over $7.5

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

MAY 14, 2025

In July 2023, I had the privilege of delivering a general session presentation at the NASN 2023 Conference, focusing on the vital role school nurses play in stemming gun violence through prevention efforts. Today, I am excited to share that the results of that survey have just been published in the Journal of School Nursing (JOSN ).

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 31, 2025

Support networks, schools, and mental health services offer hope, but comprehensive reforms are essential. Protecting childrens well-being ensures theyre not trapped as silent victims of immigration enforcement. I feel the impact of ICE in my school district, do you in yours? Your leadership is needed now, more than ever.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

“Caring in Crisis,” an insightful essay on the current state of school nursing was written by Jill Yacu. Jill is a registered nurse and content creator for MacGill School Nurse Supplies. She is a regular contributor to The Pulse, MacGill’s weekly newsletter for school nurses.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

JULY 3, 2025

As school nurses, we are the sentinels of student health, on the frontlines of care, advocacy, and equity. From chronic absenteeism to unmet mental health needs, from hunger and housing instability to the trauma that walks through our doors in the bodies and behaviors of the children we serve, school nurses see it all.

Schooling

PE for Parents

JUNE 6, 2025

Healthy Meals Incentives Research and Evaluation Our Impact Who We Are We are a national nonprofit that brings together dedicated volunteers and partners to make schools healthier places where kids thrive. Collective Impact Together with Active Schools and other powerful organizations, we create sustainable change for kids.

Wellness

PLT4M

JUNE 19, 2025

The high school physical education curriculum plays a critical role in shaping students’ long-term relationship with health and fitness. For many, high school physical education class marks the final formal experience with structured physical education before transitioning to an independent, active lifestyle beyond the walls of school.

High School

Relentless School Nurse

JULY 11, 2025

Preschool nursing is a sub-specialty of school nursing. It’s a direct assault on the well-being of the children and families we serve—and it’s a public health emergency. This past school year, several of my preschool families self-deported for fear of being separated. This isn’t a routine policy tweak.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Jill Yacu’s transition into a content creator role at MacGill School Nurse Supplies was driven by her extensive experience as a school nurse and her desire to make a broader impact on our profession. This realization fueled her passion to advocate for and support school nurses on a larger scale.

Schooling

PLT4M

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

. >>> Free Download: Lifetime Fitness Playbook with 12 Free Lessons Importance Of Physical Education Electives The goal of physical education is to equip students with skills, knowledge, and interest to pursue a lifetime of fitness, health, and wellness. Now, the school has 8 to 10 course sections per year.

Physical Education

Relentless School Nurse

MAY 7, 2025

Dear Fellow School Nurses, On this School Nurse Day 2025, I write to you with admiration and profound solidarity. We are the Chief Wellness Officers of our schools. And all the while, we are navigating our own emotions and well-being within a landscape that often feels uncertain, and at times, unsafe.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

JULY 6, 2025

And the consequences land hard on the shoulders of school nurses, educators, and families. This is a public invitation to lawmakers: Spend a day in a school nurse’s office. The Door Is Open—Walk Through It To the architects and supporters of the Big Beautiful Bill: Come spend the day with a school nurse. This is not theater.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

MARCH 12, 2025

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Beyond the Bandaids , the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) new podcast that delves into the evolving challenges, triumphs, and advocacy efforts shaping the field of school nursing.

Schooling

Learning Through Sport

MARCH 23, 2025

School sport participation can be a conversation conundrum. S chool sport in Australia and elsewhere has historically played a contributing factor in the likelihood of an individual being physically active beyond their school years (Curtis et al., I know many people don't have positive experiences with sport. 1999; Westerbeek et al.,

Sports

Relentless School Nurse

AUGUST 2, 2025

As a school nurse passionate about empowering our profession, I’m always eager to share opportunities that encourage nurses to be advocates—not just for health, but for democracy as well. Are you ready to see nurses leading the way in civic engagement?

Health

PLT4M

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

We explore what student participation in PE means, how school districts can create a lasting impact, and provide actionable strategies to apply in schools. >>> Free Download: Lifetime Fitness Playbook with 12 Free Lessons Participation In PE By The Numbers The U.S Grade 10: 53.3% Grade 11: 40.2% Grade 12: 33.0%

PE

SHAPE America

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Bringing Books to Life Physical educators retired or not can collaborate with school librarians or public librarians to bring books to life by incorporating related physical activities into their storytime programming. So far, weve gotten positive feedback about adding physical activity during several of the librarys storytime events.

Physical Activity

SHAPE America

JULY 31, 2025

As a middle school physical education teacher, my goal is for all students to have a place where they feel valued, supported and motivated to participate. It is so important to prioritize relationship-building from the very start of the school year. Neace is the 2025 SHAPE America Southern District Middle School Teacher of the Year.

PE

Changing the Game Project

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Two weeks ago, my son TJ’s (#9 above with his senior teammates) high school soccer career came to an end in a state playoff game, culminating a week of highs and lows for me, of beginnings and endings, of joy and pain. All of those things come together in high school sports and that’s why I love them.

High School

Better Coaching

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

Enhanced Mental and Physical Engagement Athletes arriving to practice well-rested and properly fueled are more focused, reducing errors, and maximizing productivity in drills and scrimmages…and decreases likelihood of injury. School start times for middle school and high school students — United States, 2011–12 school year.

Nutrition

Relentless School Nurse

MARCH 12, 2025

Im pleased to announce my contribution to the “Ask a School Nurse” feature on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation website! As school nurses, we have seen firsthand how critical it is to equip schools and families with the tools they need to keep kids healthy, especially in environments where germs spread quickly.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

CHC: Creating Healthier Communities (CHC) is inviting school nurses to collaborate with them on an important initiative a storytelling series that they hope will inspire action to protect and strengthen Medicaid at this critical time. School nurses, your insights are crucial in highlighting the real-world implications of these proposed cuts.

Schooling

Relentless School Nurse

MARCH 26, 2025

As we navigate the complex landscape of public health and education in 2025, it’s crucial to highlight voices that advocate for the well-being of our communities. Donna Gaffney and Teri Mills, my friends also known as the “Op-Ed Nurses,” are seasoned healthcare professionals and leaders in Nurses for America.

Government