Association News

Template Letters to Send Home
Several of NASN's educational campaigns include template letters you can send home with students.  If you are preparing communications to send home this summer, consider these templates from NASN and partner groups.
Home to Homeroom letter about the growing issue of teen cough medicine abuse.
Voices of Meningitis letter with facts that build awareness about meningococcal meningitis.

Congratulations to the Utah School Nurses Association
The Affiliate Membership Award, formerly known as the Elmer Hawkins Award, has been awarded to the Utah School Nurses Association (USNA).  USNA was among the NASN affiliate school nurse organizations having the greatest percentage of new members. Learn more about this award.

New Job Postings for School Nurses in the NASN Employment Center
Find opportunities for employment around the country.  Visit NASN.org to browse listings.

Medical Minute: Sick at School
WDIO-TV
"When a kid gets sick at school, where do they go? It used to be the nurses office, however over the years they have become harder to find. ABC's medical reporter Dr. Timothy Johnson explains why more and more health officials are recommending they come back."  View a recording of this story.

2014 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
This report card assessed levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in American children and youth, facilitators and barriers for physical activity, and related health outcomes.  Access an executive summary or the full report.

Will your Students have Enough to Eat in Summer?
For students who may not have enough to eat during summer months, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) may be able to help.  SFSP was established to ensure low-income children receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.  Locate sites, access training videos and more.

Help Make the Next Generation Tobacco-free
World No Tobacco Day is Saturday, May 31, 2014. Smoking kills up to half of its users.  If we don't reduce current smoking rates in the U.S., nearly 5.6 million children alive today will die early from smoking.
Learn more and access resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Join the social movement on Thunderclap to support World No Tobacco Day.

Indoor Firing Ranges and Elevated Blood Lead Levels
Indoor firing ranges are a source of lead exposure and elevated blood lead levels.  
Read a recent CDC report that discusses the potential for exposure and the data.
Access a Fact Sheet for Rifle Teams from the Connecticut Department of Health.

The Year of Children's Vision (YOCV)
Vision screening is one component of a strong vision health system of care. YOCV is a unique national initiative that strives to standardize approaches to vision screening, improve eye care follow up for children who fail the vision screening, provide family friendly educational information, and ensure best practices. Access and save a multi-page resource that includes archived webinars and more.

NASN's Calendar of Events lists upcoming events for school nursing professionals.  Events happening soon include:

Nebraska School Nurses Annual Health Conference

June 8 - 10, 2014

School Nurse Organization of Idaho Annual Conference

June 9 - 10, 2014

Healthfinder.gov's National Health Observances site lists special days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness about important health topics.