Gone are the days when school nurses were merely dispensers of band-aids and comforting words. Today, as Cornerstone Schools embrace wellness as part of a Complete Life, these dynamic healthcare professionals play a vital role in promoting healthy living among students.
In addition to attending to students with chronic conditions that require daily medication, such as asthma and diabetes, as well as treating the typical minor injuries that come with childhood play, these dedicated individuals are expanding wellness efforts to benefit student success.
Meet three of Cornerstone’s Nurses:
Kristine Walton – Adams-Young Elementary
With her 20 years of nursing experience, Kristine Walton skillfully uses the Michigan Model of Health Curriculum to present health topics to students at Adams-Young Elementary. But it is the extra efforts outside her daily duties that are making an even greater impact.
Thanks to Nurse Walton’s resourcefulness, every classroom at AYE is equipped with an air purifier. Through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, she applied for the MI Safe School Indoor Air Ventilation program, which provides free purifiers, as well as filters to last several years.
Kristine Walton – Adams-Young Elementary
With her 20 years of nursing experience, Kristine Walton skillfully uses the Michigan Model of Health Curriculum to present health topics to students at Adams-Young Elementary. But it is the extra efforts outside her daily duties that are making an even greater impact.
Thanks to Nurse Walton’s resourcefulness, every classroom at AYE is equipped with an air purifier. Through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, she applied for the MI Safe School Indoor Air Ventilation program, which provides free purifiers, as well as filters to last several years.
Securing the air purifiers was important to Nurse Walton, not only because of respiratory illness that are prevalent in schools, but also for those scholars with asthma and allergies. “The goal is to reduce absenteeism due to these chronic medical conditions,” she explained. “Cleaner air leads to less asthma exacerbations and less allergy symptoms.”
Taking wellness a step further, she created The Girls Upstairs, an afternoon program focusing on health and wellness. Some of the engagement she has arranged with the community include a source to lead Mediation Mondays, where students learn yoga and meditation, while Ally Bank conducted and eight-week program on financial literacy.
Valincia Curry – Washington-Parks Academy
A seasoned nurse of 30 years, Valincia Curry is proud to have been part of the Washington-Parks Academy family for the past two years. Her daily efforts include speaking to students about safety measures to prevent injuries, daily hygiene to prevent the spread of germs, and proper nutrition to promote wellness and growth.
“The caring nurse’s touch extends beyond the physical and extends to caring for the whole well-being of students,” she remarked. She gets joy knowing that her work and relationships with students is leaving a lasting impression. “I really feel I have made a positive impact on some of the students as it relates to how they view being in school and wanting to be in the classroom.”
Tiffany Adams – Madison-Carver Academy
Tiffany Adams’s first encounter with Cornerstone was as a parent when her children began attending Madison-Carver Academy in 2013. After finding her passion for healthcare while employed by a pediatrician, she became a registered nurse and brought her experience to MCA three years ago. “The best part about being a school nurse is knowing that I can give parents peace of mind knowing there’s someone to take care of their child at school,” she explained.
Nurse Adams keeps a busy schedule with special initiatives during National Nutrition Month, Every Kid Healthy Week, National Children’s Dental Health Month, National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month.
Tiffany Adams – Madison-Carver Academy
Tiffany Adams’s first encounter with Cornerstone was as a parent when her children began attending Madison-Carver Academy in 2013. After finding her passion for healthcare while employed by a pediatrician, she became a registered nurse and brought her experience to MCA three years ago. “The best part about being a school nurse is knowing that I can give parents peace of mind knowing there’s someone to take care of their child at school,” she explained.
Nurse Adams keeps a busy schedule with special initiatives during National Nutrition Month, Every Kid Healthy Week, National Children’s Dental Health Month, National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month.
Understanding that health education crosses many areas, she often partners with MCA physical education teacher and athletic director, Coach Boyd, as well as school social worker, Mrs. Knott. The three team up for presentations and activities for the school community, focusing on physical health, mental health and nutrition goals. And since healthy living includes maintaining a healthy environment, Nurse Adams is working with second grade teacher Ms. Haslerig on the school garden club. On Earth Day, they organized a garden party in MCA’s school garden where students learned how to plant seeds.
Of her efforts, she added, “student attendance is important, so being able to bridge the gap between healthcare and education is important to me.”
We salute our school nurses and thank them for their efforts to keep our Cornerstone students healthy and well.