Jennifer Davidson MSN, RN
Jennifer.Davidson@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Jenniferl.davidson@cms.k12.nc.us
Office Phone: 980-343-0698
Fax: 980-343-0700
As the start of the school year; I wanted to take a moment to let you know what an honor it is to serve your children since arriving on the scene in January 2018. I love it here at MLK Middle School. I am looking forward to the school year after what I hope was a healthy and safe summer for our students, staff, parents, and extended Lion's family.
School Health falls under the auspices of Public Health in Mecklenburg County. We practice nursing following the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach. Our overall goal is to keep students healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. We work in collaboration with teachers and administrators who understand the importance of the link between student health and academic success. I am typically on the premises Monday-Friday during school hours (8:30am-3:30pm). When a student presents themselves to the Nurse's Office, I will make every effort to keep the student in school. In general, students will not be sent home unless they have a fever, are actively vomiting, are obviously ill, or are seriously injured. It would not be typical for a student to text or call home to tell their parent or guardian to pick them up because they are sick. If you get a message like that, question it, and refer them to the nurse to validate the illness.
Below are a few critical tasks that need to be completed.
All students enrolling at MLK Middle School are required to have a NC Health Assessment on record and an up to date Immunization record within 30 days of enrollment. If coming from out-of-state, please be sure to obtain your immunization records prior to moving to North Carolina. All rising 7th graders are required to have a Tdap and Meningococcal vaccine prior to the start of 7th grade. These can be obtained through your private physician, through the Mecklenburg County Department of Public Health, or at one of the several "Big Shot" clinics that will be held over the summer.
If your child needs to take medication at school or if your child has a medical condition that requires medication such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, or other chronic illness, you must present a complete physician's order along with the medication in an officially labeled container on the first day of school. *Please note that it is against policy for any student to self-carry or self-administer any medication (including over the counter medication) without proper authorization.
Medication orders and emergency action plans must be renewed every year by your physician or healthcare provider.
New students, including 6th graders and students transferring from other schools, will be required to complete a blue emergency contact card upon enrollment. On this card, we also request that you let us know about any medical conditions or special needs that your student may have. This will help us provide the best possible care if your student needs to come to the Nurse's Office.
Safety Tips
Health Room Message- Vaping Epidemic
Vaping and our Youth: (E-cigarettes) (Vapes) (Juuls) (Mods)
I feel it is very important to get the word out about the Vaping Epidemic that is sweeping the nation and that is affecting our vulnerable students. The fact is that 1 out of 7 high school and middle school aged students admit to trying an e-cigarette at least once with many of them already addicted to e-cigarettes. Many teens have the misconception that vaping is harmless. The nicotine in e-cigarette pods is highly addictive and at higher concentrations than in traditional cigarettes. One pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes! Nicotine exposure during the teen years can disrupt normal brain development which can have long lasting effects such as increased impulsivity and mood disorders. The chemicals used to flavor the vapes are extremely dangerous and can cause serious lung damage, even death.
E-cigarette manufactures are very clever at marketing to our youth. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes often disguised as common items such as flash drives, pencils with colorful wraps, pipes and even now clothing, more commonly called Vape-wear. Because the vapor is odorless, it is very easy to sneak. As for our part in the prevention process, we are planning educational sessions about the hazards of vaping for our students and our parents which will be presented this year in the health class.
If you desire more information about the hazards of e-cigarettes, on how to talk to your students, or about recovery from nicotine addiction please feel free to contact me (Jenniferl.davidson@cms.k12.nc.us).
CORONAVIRIS (COVID-19) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Have a safe and healthy year!
Nurse Davidson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
