Greetings to all OASN members! The past several months have been a busy time in the life of the OASN organization.

Sincerely,

Kathy Inderbitzin, RN, BSN, MEd.

OASN President
president@oasn.org

OASN seeks every opportunity to educate others about school nursing practice and the qualifications needed to be a School Nurse in Ohio. One of the ways OASN does this is by exhibiting in arenas where we can display our exhibit and distribute materials on school nursing and answer questions.

On November 13th and 14th of this past year, OASN had an exhibit at the Ohio School Boards Association Trade Show at the Columbus Convention Center. This trade show offers an opportunity for a lot of exposure as it is attended by school board members and administrators across the state. Gabi Karpowicz organized the first trade show display in 2004. Items this year were generously donated for a “wellness” basket by School Health, Inc. Love To Teach donated items for raffle that displayed the “10 Top Reasons to be a School Board Member”. The raffles were a great way of pulling in school board members and superintendents to discuss school nursing.

We heard many complimentary things about school nurses across the state. Some superintendents had questions about school nurse job descriptions and qualifications for school nurses. The opportunity to answer these questions made being there worthwhile. We also learned that there was even an expectation among some attendees that OASN would be there representing school nursing in Ohio when we heard comments like “I’ve been looking for your booth”, “I was told to look you up”. We plan to return to the OSBA Trade Show in the fall. Ask your superintendent and school board members to look us up. We’ll have another raffle for them!

In closing, many thanks to Judy Miller (pictured in top photo on left, opposite Renee Besecker) who assisted with the set up/take down and manning the booth, and Barb Carpenter who stepped in to provide relief. If your name is listed below, that means we saw one of your school board members or your superintendent and chances are they had something nice to say about you!:

Lucy Marino - Boardman
Sharon Harper - Trumbull
Judy Ganguly - Xenia
Jane Johnson - Ross Local
Lisa Werner - Brunswick City
Mary Ann Moore - Meigs Co
Robin Mermer - Trumbull
Charlene Blankenship - Swanton Local
Karen Warner - Southwest
Karen Booth - Sheffield Lake
Lois Knapke - Versailles
Cynthia Turner & Shirley Boone - Beavercreek
Jane Worthington - Miami
Candy Wheitz & Kim Smith - Celina
Norma Nikkola - Fairborn
Mary Norton & Judy Marrinan - Mad River
Helen Sickafoose - Stark Co ESC
Pat Rizzo - Columbiana Ex Village
Pam Borne - Pike - Delta - York
Madeline Fisher - Morgan
Pat Roach - Ansonia
Jeannie Van Horn - Wapakoneta
Jodi Weigel - Coldwater
Pat Roth - Hicksville Ex Village
Megan Abbott - Fairfield Local, Highland Co.
Melissa Sutton - Upper Scioto Valley Local
Candi Elliott - Lincolnview

I apologize in advance for any misspellings. This is not an exhaustive list, we wrote down as many as we could.

Renee Besecker, Executive Director OASN

SWOSNA held its second General Membership Meeting for the 2006/07 school year on November 16, 2006 at the Holiday Inn, Dayton Mall. Sixty-two people attended the meeting. Linda Hilvert was honored with a congressional certificate for being the Cameos of Caring recipient. Susan Praeger was honored for being the NASN School Nurse Educator of the Year. Julie Kolde RN, BSN, NCSN presented a useful presentation on “Integrating Technology Into School Nursing Practice” for 1.3 CEUs. Members left the meeting with many practical strategies to update their school nursing practice through computer technology.

In January, the SWOSNA Board gave official support to “An Agenda for Southwest Ohio’s Children, 2008- 09 State Budget Agenda.” SWOSNA will be listed as an organization that assisted in the development of the Agenda and supports its contents. The Southwest Ohio Child Advocacy Group is planning to hold a briefing in late February for the Southwest Ohio delegation in order to present the Agenda and have a dialogue on the issues. The Agenda specifically requests for funding in the budget for school nursing services according to the standards set by NASN. The wording reads:
“Pass and fund legislation that provides for school nursing based on National Association of School Nurses standards. Reason: School nurses are the primary identifier and source of maintaining treatment for children with chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma. Currently 55 school districts in Ohio have no school-based health services. "

The next SWOSNA Board meeting will be March 1, 2007 at Sycamore Hospital. We look forward to seeing all SWOSNA Members at the OASN Annual Conference in March where we will celebrate the honoring of our own Norma Nikkola as Ohio School Nurse of the Year! We will also see everyone at the Spring SWOSNA General Meeting on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM, topic and place to be announced.

Joan Hlinomaz RN, MS, NCSN Southwest Ohio Representative

The winter meeting of NWOASN was held on January 27, 2007 in Findlay Ohio. The presentation was the NASN Disaster Preparedness Program presented by Deb Strouse. There were 37 school nurses in attendance. The program was very well done and the audience was very appreciative of the comfortable meeting site.

Our business meeting was held from 12:15 to 1:15PM. Our current membership is 77. It was decided to send former members a copy of our newsletter with a special invitation to rejoin. The following slate of officers were elected for the 2007-2008 school year:

• Laurie Gladieux- President
• Denise Kauffman - President- Elect
• Candi Hendershot - Past President
• Ann Brunning - Treasurer
• Meg Sullivan - Secretary
• Mary Schwartz - Ways and Means
• Maureen Knowles - NW Rep to OASN
• Mary Beth Durbin and Mary Martin - Newsletter
• Ann Cipriani - Membership
• Jan Overmeyer - Website

The officers will be installed at the May 10, 2007 meeting to be held at St. Luke’s Hospital. The topic for the evening’s education hour is to be determined. Look for further information to be mailed to your home in March.

Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Knowles, NW Rep

The candidates for offices of the Board of Directors of OASN that need to be filled In March at our annual conference are: President Elect and Vice President. There is one candidate for each office, thus it is not necessary to have an election by ballot. The new President Elect term of office will be contingent upon the general membership approval of the new by-laws. If the by-laws are approved, then the new president elect position will be installed at the 2008 annual meeting.

Please read their vitae carefully and you will see that these candidates are highly qualified for the office that they have agreed to fill.

Office of President Elect
Eva Garchar RN, MSN, NCSN

Nurse/School Nurse Experience:
Eva is currently employed as a licensed school nurse in the Kings Local School District in Kings Mills, Ohio. She has served at Kings as the Nursing Coordinator for the district, and is currently the school nurse at Columbia Elementary. Previous experience includes working in health services for the Mason City Schools, pediatric home health care with Maternal Child Healthcare Services, and pediatric nursing at Tod Children’s Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio and San Diego Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California.
Education:
Eva received her AD and BSN at Youngstown State University and her school nurse licensure and MSN at Wright State University.
Professional Affiliations/Offices/Awards :
Professional organization membership includes NEA, OEA, NASN, OASN, and SWOSNA. Eva was the 2005 recipient of the OASN Pat Baum Scholarship award and is currently completing her term as President of SWOSNA.
Community Involvement:
American Red Cross instructor.

Office of Vice President
Maureen Knowles, RN, BSN, MEd., NCSN

School Nurse Experience:
Maureen is currently employed as a licensed school nurse in the Toledo Public Schools in Toledo, Ohio. She is currently the school nurse at Mc Kinley Elementary for grades K-6. She also served as a school nurse at Nathan Hale Elementary for six years.
Education:
Maureen received her BSN at University of North Dakota and her MEd. at the University of Toledo.
Professional Affiliations/Offices held:
Maureen is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau. She is a member of NWOASN, OASN, and NASN. She is currently of NW representative to OASN.
Community Involvement:
Maureen is the Medical Coordinator for the National Youth Sports Program.

NASN NEWS YOU CAN USE

Aurelia Barney, Ohio NASN Director

In the January 2007 issue of NEA Today, an article appeared entitled, “A Band-Aid Solution.” It was about school health, but focused on non-professionals providing health services to children. Shortly after publication, NASN seized the opportunity to again help educate NEA regarding school nursing. Sue Will, Amy Garcia and Mary Louise Embrey were able to meet with Reg Weaver, NEA President, and Allan Jehen an NEA Today staff employee.

It was explained to them that in effect they were “praising breaking state laws and Nurse Practice Acts by supporting such activity as was noted in the article.” They were reminded that a Resolution was passed this July in support of our recommended of a 1:750 ratio in a regular school population and adjusted downward based on the health acuity of the population served. NEA is encouraged to support their local units in bringing school nurses into representation at their levels.

As a result of this meeting, Amy Garcia, NASN Executive Director, will be attending the NEA’s Health Information Network meetings and there will be an article co-written by NASN and NEA on what school nursing SHOULD BE!

Grass roots effort should continue at all levels for more individual involvement with our educational local units and perhaps we should start saying that not only does EVERY CHILD DESERVES A SCHOOL NURSE but also that EVERY TEACHER NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF A SCHOOL NURSE!

Norma Nikkola

SCHOOL NURSE NEW MEMBERS AND THOSE RENEWING MEMBERSHIP IN NASN/OASN

If you are applying for membership or your anniversary date for renewal is coming up, ensure your receipt of important mailings from NASN and OASN, by giving a complete address (street number & name, city, zip code). The OASN office has received returned mail due to incomplete addresses. Please consider providing your home address rather than your work. If you do provide your work address, make sure you provide complete mailing information, not just the name of the school district and the city. We want to be sure you get the service you deserve from your professional organizations.

Lynette Rice, Outgoing Membership Chair
Renee Besecker, Exec. Director, OASN

School nurses across the country will celebrate National School Nurse Day on May 9, 2007. This day was established to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting.

The Public Relations Committee of OASN has gathered several resources to assist school nurses in their effort to publicly promote this special day. Many ideas are listed below. In addition, the latest edition of the "Health Notes" (School Nurse Health Watch), has a newsletter article that is available to print and distribute to families, board members, community members, etc. A special resource web page at OASN.org will be created so that school nurses can access other publicity and resource information.

We would also like to hear from you! What activities do you have planned for National School Nurse Day? Do you plan to contact a legislator or perhaps honor a school nurse in a special way? Please email Rachel Little, PR chairperson or Jennifer Ferris, Newsletter editor with any information about school nurse promotion activities that are planned to occur in May. In a future edition of the OASN newsletter, we'll include a summary that highlights school nurse activities in our great state!

ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE SCHOOL NURSING:

• Teach a class.
• Sponsor or take part in a health fair, screening program or other health-related event.
• Provide health tips, first aid tips or healthy lifestyle articles to the school or local newspapers.
• Participate in legislative activities that affect schools and children.
• Be visible at open house and parent- teacher conferences. Remind parents about all the resources the school nurse has to offer.
• Write monthly articles for your school
• Write articles for your District newsletter.
• Write articles for your Union newsletter
• Write or speak to your school board and
• Write articles for your local or suburban
• Arrange for local TV stations to spotlight
• Write your legislators.
• Thank your legislators for something
• Speak at a PTA meeting.
• Send students home with stickers or

Sincerely,

Public Relations Committee
Rachel Little, Chair

The Columbus Medical Association Foundation states that, “Legacies (Bequests) are one of the simplest and most commonly used methods of Charitable Giving. They are convenient ways to give for many, as they allow an individual to make a future gift commitment while retaining full control of their assets. A bequest through a will or trust can take many forms. Below are some options available to donors that can be used to make a gift to the OASN Education and Research Fund through the Columbus Medical Association Foundation:

1. Specific Bequest: The donor places a provision in his/her will or trust that directs a specific asset, a list of assets, or a specific sum of money to be distributed to the OASN Endowment Fund.
2. Percentage Bequest: The donor places a provision in his/her will that directs that a percentage of their estate be distributed to the OASN Endowment Fund.
3. Residuary Bequest: The donor places a provision in his/her will or trust that directs that the remainder of this estate after all other provisions in his/her will or trust are satisfied be distributed to the OASN Endowment Fund.
4. Contingent Bequest: The donor places a provision in their will or trust directing assets to the OASN Endowment Fund only if those named as primary beneficiaries predecease the donor.

CMAF would be happy to work with you or your advisors to develop bequest language and fund descriptions that will be beneficial to you and the OASN Endowment Fund. All information shared with them is held in strictest confidence. Individuals setting up a legacy become members of the Foundation’s Legacy Society. Decisions regarding any publicity related to any gift or potential gift is left entirely to the donor.

Unlike cash or other outright gifts, a bequest in a will or trust will not provide you with income tax charitable deduction. However, your estate will receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the fair market value of your charitable bequest.

The services of a competent professional who specializes in this area and who is knowledgeable of state law governing wills, trusts and charitable gifts should be engaged to evaluate your personal situation and provide technical assistance needed to accomplish your goals.”

Norma Nikkola, Endowment Chair
nnikkola@earthlink.net Donate online

Want to make a difference in the life of children this summer? American Camp Association accredited Summer Camps throughout Ohio are looking for NURSES for a variety of camps.

Usual responsibilities include dispensing medications, general first aid and care for youth ages 6 and older through adult staff, health education and camp safety. Salary and job responsibilities vary from camp to camp.

Length of season can also vary from one to 10 weeks. Some camps will allow your school-age children to attend camp all summer long!

To find a camp that fits your needs, please visit our website at h ttp://find.acacamps.org/finding_a_camp.php .