Maureen Penna, RN
St. Michael’s Academy employs an on-site, full-time registered nurse, Maureen Penna. “Nurse Maureen” maintains all state and federal school health guidelines for students and faculty. She is able to administer certain medications during schools hours (with physician orders). She is available at any time via email at m.penna@smaspringfield.org.
“What does a school nurse do? Is it all Band-Aids and ice packs?” The answer to that is, the school nurse does so much more than Band-Aids and ice packs! Let’s explore some of the responsibilities of the school nurse.
First Aid – A school nurse is trained to administer first aid in many situations. This includes cleaning up cuts and scrapes to monitoring possible concussions, to administering emergency medications, and being able to perform CPR and utilize the AED (defibrillator) machine.
Medications -It is important that the school nurse partners with the parents/guardians and the pediatricians to receive your children’s medications and the proper orders to be able to administer those medications at school. If your child/children have medications to be taken at school, especially medications for allergies, asthma, and other medical diagnoses please contact the school nurse right away. You may find the guidelines and the medication order form below.
Treatment and Care Plans – The school nurse will develop plans of care for your child if needed for asthma, allergies, seizures, injuries, and many other diagnoses. She will work with the teacher and other team members, so that your child is successful while at school.
Immunizations/Health Records – The school nurse is responsible for managing and coordinating the receipt of the student health record and immunizations. Students are required to have a physical in grades preschool, kindergarten, and grades 4 and 7. These should include the immunization record as well. If you are a new student to St. Michael’s you would submit the same documents.
Screenings – The school nurse throughout the year will be administering screenings for sight, hearing, and scoliosis (curvature of the spine) depending on the age of your student.
Health Education in the Classroom – The school nurse also participates in the classroom as needed, to teach about health. Some examples may include, proper handwashing, teeth brushing, and nutrition. The nurse works with the teacher to develop a lesson plan for that class.
Covid-19 – For the school nurse and the school team Covid-19 has become one of our biggest challenges and the one area where as parents/guardians, school staff, and medical personnel, we need to work together as a team to have a successful school year. We must respect each other’s choices regarding vaccination and masking. If your student is ill, keep them home and call the school nurse and together we will come up with a plan. Remember to use the Wellness Checklist on the website under the Nurse section to review symptoms to help you make the choice to send your student to school.
These are just a few of the many activities in a school nurse’s day. For me, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Being here at a Catholic school also allows me to reflect on my faith and to share with students the influence of both God and Jesus in our daily lives. It allows me to practice my faith through my work and care I give to the students. As I have said many times to Ms. Dougal and others that when I came here I felt that this was where I needed to be. I often describe that feeling as “a calling from God”. I look forward to what God has planned for me while here at St. Michaels as the school nurse caring for your children!
Below you will find helpful information and a variety of forms needed.
