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Weekly Digest
NASN news & updates
May 6, 2021
NASN News and Highlights
Infection Prevention and Control in Schools Resources Launched
An independent task force convened by the COVID Collaborative, Harvard's Safra Center, Brown School of Public Health, and New America has recently released several resources around Infection Prevention and Control in Schools including a website, a “Roadmap to Healthy Schools,” and a scientific consensus statement. NASN contributed to these resources.
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NASN Issues Statement In Response to FDA Rulemaking to Prohibit Sale of Menthol Cigarettes
NASN applauds the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) announcement that it will initiate rulemaking to prohibit sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars (including menthol-flavored cigars). This is the first step to banning menthol flavored tobacco (the last flavored tobacco) from the marketplace.

NASN has long advocated to pull all flavored tobacco products so that children and youth are not enticed to try a flavor that masks the harsh flavor of nicotine. Additionally, evidence shows that prohibiting menthol tobacco products may encourage those smoking it to quit.

This is a major step in reducing youth smoking, tobacco addiction, overall saving lives from the damaging effects of tobacco products. This FDA announcement builds on the previous tobacco flavor bans and will address health equity and reduce addiction, especially for our youth.
Next Meet the Editor Bimonthly Web Meeting: May 19
The second meeting in the web series Meet the Editor, The Journal of School Nursing Editor, Dr. Martha Dewey Bergren will provide brief tips for authors and field comments and questions from aspiring authors during this interactive meeting. SEATING IS LIMITED to the first 100 slots! Join us at 3:30 p.m. EST on May 19, 2021.
School Nurse Day is Next Week
NASN has put together a virtual toolkit you can use to help spread the word about School Nurse Day whether you are present in your school or working virtually. The theme for this year is Championing the Whole Student.

We are also inviting you to take part in our social media campaign to educate our stakeholders on the important role that school nurses play every day in ensuring that our nation’s school children are prepared and supported to learn. Submit your video.
COVID-19 Updates
NASN Launches COVID-19 Interactive Tools
  • Can I Send My Student to School: Designed for school nurses to share with families, this interactive tool is based on CDC COVID-19 guidance and designed to guide families through assessing when their child should stay home from school.

  • How to Manage Difficult Conversations: A quick micro-burst of learning, this interactive module teaches school nurses a simple formula to use to respond effectively to challenging conversations.

NEW COVID-19 Resources
Additional COVID-19 Resources
Managing Chronic Health Conditions
New 4.0 Free Online CNE – The COVID-19 Pandemic & Chronic Health Conditions – The School Nurse Role in Promoting Health Equity
This educational offering developed in partnership between the Tennessee Department of Education, the Colorado Department of Education, and NASN will provide school nurses with a fresh perspective about what has changed and what has not changed as it relates to school nursing practice and the management of chronic health conditions while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence-based current information, tools/resources, and strategies will support the confidence and competence of the school nurse role in promoting health equity for at-risk students that have a chronic health condition.
Improving School Community and Student Health
Indoor Air Quality in Schools Report Released
Survey findings show the majority of schools have acted during the pandemic to address air quality. Outdated infrastructure and high costs were cited as key challenges to this effort. To learn more, download the full report.
Children’s Vision Digital Screen Tips
To help parents, caregivers, and educators protect children's vision when working on digital screens, Children's Vision Massachusetts and Prevent Blindness have produced a new free informational resource. Display in your home office, health office, preschool, or school homeroom, and share the link with families:
  • Download and print the free 81/2" x 11" page in English or Spanish.
  • While stocks last, School Health will mail you a detailed 18" x 24" English/Spanish poster. 
  • During the month of May, School Health will add this poster free of charge to your website order!
  • LAMINATED posters are also available.
NASN2021 Updates
Do you need some resources to help you justify your attendance to NASN's Annual Conference? The Virtual NASN2021 Justification Toolkit will help you request support to attend the event. We look forward to "seeing" you there!

If you have questions, please contact NASN's conference team at [email protected].
#DoubleDownForData on Instagram
Let’s have fun bringing attention to the need for school nurse data by posting data-themed photos on Instagram!

Funders who support NASN want to see school nurse data. Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating school nurse data takes effort. You can help inspire and celebrate school nurse data by taking this Instagram Challenge!

Personalize your photo by taking it yourself or having someone photograph you! NASN will choose one photo each day to share in the daily conference wrap-up email.

When you post your photo, include the hashtag #DoubleDownForData
Opportunities & Networking
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030
The National Academy of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Health Equity, will be released on May 11, 2021. The report details the critical role nurses play in achieving the goal of health equity and recommendations for how we can better support their efforts. Registration for the May 11 report launch can be found here.
Mark Your Calendar
Join Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments Nurses Drawdown Webinar Series

You’ll hear from international experts and be inspired for action. All of the webinars will be recorded and you will automatically send you the recording when you sign up for the webinar.

Upcoming webinars in the series include
Nature-Based Solutions: May 12 at 12 p.m. EST - Register here
Energy: May 26 at 12 p.m. EST - Register here
Gender-Equity: June 9 at 12 p.m. EST - Register here
Infection Prevention and Control: Keeping Our Schools Safe for In-person Learning
May 21 1 P.M. ET

An informational webinar hosted by Harvard’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Brown School of Public Health, New America, and the COVID Collaborative to discuss resources to support schools and districts with integrating effective infection prevention and control into schools for this school year and the fall.
Building Strong Family-School Partnerships to Improve Student Health
May 12,12 P.M. PST

Join us as we dive into what makes an effective family-school partnership and why, especially now, there is a critical need for school staff, parents, and caregivers to collaborate in support of student wellness — including nutrition, physical activity, and social-emotional health. You will learn how to use your voice to advocate for continued collaboration between families and schools to ensure that holistic student health is factored into all returning to in-person learning plans. Attendees will get access to a collaboration guide developed by Action for Healthy Kids and Denver Public Schools with real-world examples and recommendations to support that work.
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 2021 calendar. 
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