Email from National Association of School Nurses Weekly Digest from NASN View as Webpage Join NASN – Your Membership Pays for Itself! Become a member and unlock NASN's Back-to-School Success Series—15 free, self-paced courses worth 17.0 NCPD hours and valued at $300, more than covering the cost of membership. Explore topics like mental health, diabetes and asthma care, climate impacts, disaster preparedness, mentoring, and school nurse well-being. Connect with peers, access exclusive resources, and invest in your professional growth—JOIN TODAY! October 16, 2025 School Nurses Are Vital Vaccine Champions See NASN's new position statement: Immunization and Vaccination Requirements. Follow for expert insights, updates, and real-world school nursing stories. Latest from NASN See more. Upcoming Events See more. Weekly Digest Archive See past issues. President's Message Students spend a significant portion of their weekdays inside school buildings. As school nurses, we understand that a safe and healthy learning environment starts with something often overlooked—the air we breathe. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can affect student health, attendance, and even academic performance. The good news? Schools can take practical, evidence-based steps to improve IAQ—and there's support available to help make it happen. The American Lung Association's Clean Air School Challenge empowers K–12 schools to develop comprehensive, Energy Efficient IAQ management plans. The program offers schools valuable tools, including assessment forms, training, mentorship, technical assistance, mini-grants, and recognition opportunities. For more information, contact [email protected] and explore these helpful resources: Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in Schools – A 16-minute training video overview Clean Air School Challenge Overview Video – Learn how your school can participate Let's ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn—and breathe—in a healthy environment. Lynn Nelson, MSN, RN, NCSN NASN President Better Health. Better Learning.™   NASN News and Highlights NASN Condemns OSERS Layoffs, Calls for Restoration of IDEA Oversight NASN strongly condemns the recent layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). This action jeopardizes federal oversight of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the essential rights of children with disabilities. NASN urges the Department of Education and Congress to immediately restore OSERS staffing and reaffirm the federal government's full commitment to IDEA implementation. Read the full release.   Paid advertisement New Issue of The Journal of School Nursing is Now Available The October issue of The Journal of School Nursing (JOSN) features an editorial on research priorities, new research articles, and updated NASN position statements. Highlights include: Adolescents' Perceptions of School Nurses' Role in Functional Seizures at School Youth Mental Health First Aid: A Change Initiative in an Underresourced School NASN Position Statement: School Nurse Workload—Essential Staffing for Safe and Equitable Student Care   New Educational Program: Advocating for Pediatric Influenza Protection As school communities prepare for flu season, NASN and Medscape Education have collaborated to deliver the new educational activity, Back to School Basics: Expert Perspectives on Advocating for Childhood Influenza Protection, designed to equip school nurses and other pediatric healthcare professionals with the latest evidence to mitigate severe disease complications of influenza using recommended antivirals and vaccines. Related Resources: Focus on Fall: Respiratory Illness Vaccines to Support Student and Staff Wellness | Explore school nurse-led strategies to boost Fall respiratory vaccine confidence and uptake and earn 1.0 NCPD contact hour.   The following are paid advertisements   See what 7 out of 10 pediatricians prescribe for head lice! Learn more       Earn a PK-12 School Nurse Certificate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. As a School Nurse, you can greatly make a difference in the lives of young children, our most vulnerable members of the community. If you’re ready to embark on a rewarding journey in the field of school nursing, submit an application. Get started now.   School Nurses in the News This section highlights news stories featuring NASN and school nurses. If you have a story about school nurses you'd like us to consider including, please send it to us. Beloit School Nurses Urge Board to Retain Director of School Health Position (Source: citizenportal.ai) Experts: KY Families Should Prioritize Checkups, Medicaid Renewals (Source: wuky.org) Preparedness Saves Teacher’s Life at McKenzie River Community School (Source: newsroom.heart.org) NASN Position Statement Emphasizes the Importance of School Immunizations (Source: news-medical.net) School Nurses Address Student Mental Health Issues at UD Conference (Source: lehighvalleylive.com)   Managing Chronic Health Conditions Creating Safe, Inclusive Environments for Students of All Sizes Weight bias and stigma are highly prevalent, yet often overlooked, in both school and healthcare settings. NASN's new professional development presentation, Weight Bias and Stigma, defines and illustrates these concepts, explores how they negatively impact mental and physical health, and provides strategies to mitigate their effects. Upon completion, participants will be able to: Recognize examples of weight bias and stigma Understand the health impacts of weight bias and stigma Identify strategies to reduce weight bias and stigma in care settings   Improving School Community & Student Health Join National Eating Disorders Screening Week Eating disorders are a public health concern, and early detection is critical. School nurses play a vital role in recognizing the signs and connecting students with the help they need. Next week is National Eating Disorders Screening Week—join The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and NASN in raising awareness and supporting screening for eating disorders. Attend one of NEDA's campaign events and access the online Screening tool, available in both English and Spanish. New CDC MMWR: Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths The CDC recently released the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths — United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season, highlighting that influenza can cause serious illness and death in children; therefore, preventing infection by vaccinating children annually against influenza, particularly among those who have underlying medical conditions, can help prevent severe illness and death.   Mark Your Calendar   Proposal Submission Deadline: NASN Research Grants October 31 Learn more and submit. Application Deadline: Fellows of the National Academy of School Nursing Nominations November 30 Learn more and nominate.   State Associations of School Nurses' Conferences 2025 Texas School Nurses Organization Conference - School Nurses: Innovating School Health - November 1-2. Learn more. Colorado Association of School Nurses Annual Fall Conference - Stronger Together: Building Connections, Empowering Practice, Advancing Learning - November 7-9. Learn more. Virginia Association of School Nurses Fall Conference 2025 - Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of School Nursing - November 8-9. Learn more. Tennessee Association of School Nurses Fall Conference 2025 - Bridging the Gap - November 9-11. Learn more. 2025 Indiana Association of School Nurses Annual Conference - Building Bridges - November 10-11. Learn more. West Virginia Association of School Nurses 2025 Fall Conference - November 13-15. Learn more. Utah School Nurse Association Fall Conference - November 14. Learn more. School Nurse Organization of Minnesota 2025 Conference - November 14-15. Learn more. Delaware School Nurse Association 2025 Fall Conference - November 20. Learn more. NASN Calendar of Events This calendar includes upcoming events hosted by NASN and NASN affiliate school nurse organizations. Access the calendar. NASN CALENDAR National Health Observances Calendar This calendar lists special days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness about important health topics. Access the 2025 calendar. OBSERVANCES CALENDAR Acceptance of advertising on the top or bottom ad banner or other ad placements in this newsletter or resource information listed within in no way implies endorsement of advertised or listed products or services by NASN. No endorsement is intended or implied.   NASN | nasn.org National Association of School Nurses | 1100 Wayne Avenue Suite 925 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice