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Weekly Digest
NASN news & updates
February 11, 2021
NASN News and Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for more school nurses. School nurses are critical as the number of students with complex physical and mental health conditions -- along with the number of students at risk for health concerns, and students who are affected by societal issues, such as living in poverty -- has increased. NASN's Claim Your School campaign helps us identify and understand staffing gaps and more effectively target our advocacy and development efforts.
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Save the Dates for Virtual NASN2021: June 21-25, 2021
We are very excited about getting together for NASN2021, and are ready to gather, to celebrate and to educate how school nurses are Leading the Way in Transforming Student Health.

NASN has made the decision to offer the Annual Conference in 2021 as a virtual experience. We want all our attendees to have the chance to interact with one another and with our content, and the virtual environment will allow us to do that, regardless of travel concerns related to COVID-19. Please save the dates for Virtual NASN2021, June 21-25, 2021.
NASN's Mazyck Participates in Student Mental Wellness Summit
Student mental wellness is critically important to everyone in a school community. NASN Executive Director Donna Mazyck, MS, RN, NCSN, CAE, FNASN, will offer the school nurse perspective at the NCSSS Student Mental Wellness Virtual Summit 2021 on the panel, It Takes a Village. She joins Kathleen Minke of the National Association of School Psychologists and Ashley Finley of the Association of American Colleges and Universities to discuss how community unification is needed to solve this epidemic across our schools. Subscribers to the NASN Weekly Digest can attend the conference for a reduced rate of $99 by using code SMHS20 when you register.
Are You Hiring? Let NASN Help
Don't miss out on the best candidate for the job. Advertise your open positions in the NASN Employment Center: your recruitment solution. We offer packages that include resume bank access, posting for 30 days, and email distribution of your job posting.

Hire smarter. You don't need all the candidates, you need the right ones.
School Nurses in the News
NASN and school nurses have been widely represented in the news media over the past few months and we are now including a section in the Weekly Digest to highlight some of those stories twice a month. If you have a story about school nurses you'd like us to consider including, please send it to us.
COVID-19 Updates
CDC Vaccine Data Tracker
CDC has a resource to quickly see how your state or territory is doing compared to others regarding vaccine administration. Additional data is available at this CDC site.
Improving School Community and Student Health
Student Diversity -- A CDC Resource to Connect Culture and Community
The Star Collection books for young American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) readers celebrate the connection to culture and community. The books also encourage positive relationships with others that are safe, stable, and nurturing. Each book has an educator guide along with an education activity for children and selected words translated into Cherokee, Lakota, Navajo, Ojibwe, and Yupik. This collection is the newest addition to the BAM! Body and Mind Classroom Resources for Teachers that can be used by school nurses, too.
Managing Chronic Health Conditions
Mental Health in Students with Chronic Health Conditions
Stay connected with the Child Mind® Institute for resources to provide emotional support for students with chronic health conditions.
Promoting Oral Health
Check out this new resource from the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors: Promoting Good Nutrition and Healthy Eating in Schools: An Important Strategy for Promoting Oral Health and Preventing Dental Caries.
Mark Your Calendar
Help for Mental Health:
Free Tools and Resources for Students and Staff
2:30 PM EST February 11, 2021



With remote learning, students have been isolated, often unable to participate in activities that promote connection, and lacking access to resources and services necessary for their health and learning needs. This webinar will highlight a variety of free, evidence-based tools and resources that can be implemented at the school, district, or state levels.
Medicaid and CHIP Comprehensive Dental Benefits Help Children Achieve Better Health and Healthier Smiles
2 PM EST February 18, 2021

On this webinar, Dr. Natalia I. Chalmers, D.D.S., M.H.Sc., Ph.D., a pediatric dentist and Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, who serves as Dental Officer within the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, will share trends in oral health services among those enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP and how early intervention can promote oral health outcomes among children.
COVID-19 Vaccines: Focus on the Education Community


The coronavirus has had a profound impact on nearly every school and every community across the country and the world. Its effect is radically re-shaping how we envision school life.
Join Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools to learn about the clinical information around development and safety of COVID-19 vaccines and address frequently asked questions related to public and clinical health of COVID-19 and the school community.
NASN Calendar of Events

This calendar includes upcoming events hosted by NASN and NASN affiliate school nurse organizations. Access the calendar.

National Health Observances Calendar

This calendar lists special days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness about important health topics. Access the 2020 calendar. 
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