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 Jayhawk USD 346 has a new nurse in town, and she has made it clear she wants to make a difference in the lives of Mound City students.
“My mission is to encourage and assist students and staff to reach the highest level of physical, mental, social and emotional health, and to support and encourage academic success and lifelong achievement,” said new Jayhawk-Linn nurse Tisha Coleman.
Coleman’s typical day includes such tasks as caring for students and staff, reviewing records, keeping up to date immunizations and physicals and performing routine screenings.
Several activities are in the works for the district under Coleman’s supervision, such as obtaining automatic external defibrillators. Coleman and others, including USD 346 Board of Education member Cheyenne Beisiegel, are reaching out to local hospitals to gauge their interest in underwriting some of the funding to purchase the AEDs, which would also enable the school to implement a Public Access Defibrillator Program.
Having AEDs in a school setting also requires training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Coleman received her certification to become a CPR instructor through the American Heart Association with the assistance of Chief Executive Officer of Health South Rehab Hospital of Central Kentucky Eileen Nelson, who funded the training,
Coleman said she has plans to train staff members, and in conjunction with other teachers at the high school, she will train students in CPR.
“We would like to open this opportunity to the community and get them trained as well,” she said. “The more people that know how to use CPR and AEDs the better off our community is.”
With the help of Linn County Health Department, the district hosted an on-site immunization clinic at Jayhawk-Linn High School for students and a flu vaccination for teachers, and there are plans for another event offering the meningitis vaccine in the spring for seniors planning to attend a university or college.
With the help of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, the district just completed screening all students for dental needs.
“In the past, this has been a difficult statute for schools to meet,” Coleman said.
Coleman serves as the leader of the district’s wellness committee and is working on supplying healthier choices in vending machines, encouraging exercise in and out of the classroom, and she sends out a weekly “JAMmin’ Minute.” The routine for teachers to use in their classes is designed to generate exercise interest and help increase attentiveness through classroom rewards and parties, while encouraging teachers and parents to provide healthier choices or non-food items.
JLHS is working to organize a health and wellness fair on March 25 for staff and students.
Last year, booths were set up that included information about spine health, pilates and exercise, flexibility, grip strength, pampered hands, skin cancer screening, blood pressure and oxygen saturation checks, lab counseling and healthy snacks, just to name a few.
Coleman said her plans are to expand and offer even more vendors this year.
She is also working with Jayhawk Elementary Parent Teachers Association in planning a family fun, food and fitness event that will include a walk-a-thon.
The district has also applied for a mini-grant through the Kansas Department of Education’s Child Nutrition and Wellness program to help fund the event, which is scheduled for the morning of April 11. The event will be open to the entire community with various vendors present and activities planned.
Coleman is working with junior high and high school counselor Jay Applegate in planning the launch of the district’s version of “The Biggest Loser.”
Lose-To-Win is an event planned for staff and the community encouraging all to get fit, eat healthier or lose weight. Participants will weigh in Jan. 26 and May 8. Cost for the participation is $20 per couple or partners, and the entry deadline is Thursday. Half of the money raised will be donated to American Heart Association.
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