[Praiser]

Hi School Nurses,
It's getting close to the end of the year and I see the usual pattern of problems with the teacher's/clinic....
Teachers are burned out and what I notice is that they send students to the clinic for no REAL reason this time of the year.
I do not mind seeing REAL illness, injuries...but come on....lots/most of these kids are driving their teacher nuts and they send them to the clinic get them out of their hair for a short while. Happens every year's end and I am fed up with this clear abuse of the clinic. I have lots of work to do in records this time of the year and I sure could use the time for that other than kids with itchy hands, bad moods and sore muscles. Do you all ever experience this same thing ?? I guess I just need to know I am not the only one who feels that I am being taken advantage of.

[bergren]

You have probably very accurately identified the source of the problem: burnt out exhausted teachers. Healthy teachers can teach better and are a good role model for student health.

What can you and the school community do to bolster up the teaching ranks for the last few weeks?

At my kids high school we had a teacher appreciation luncheon that evolved into a full blown meals at each of the parent conference nights. The PTA put together a committee, chaired by moi, that solicited dishes from parents who delivered them when they arrived for their kid's conferences. The PTA budget supplied the main course 3 times a year: 1st turkey sandwiches on mini buns, 2nd turkey dogs warmed in crock pots and 3rd sliced ham. Parent brought in home cooked or store bought side dishes or dessert.

The teachers were OVERWHELMED with the kindness. They no longer complained about conference night, and they were not hungry running from coaching soccer to 3 hours of meet the parents.

Another ideas:

Suggest that they do stand up and stretch, jog in place, circle the class, dance for 3 minutes with the kids when they get antsy. Break the monotony and get the blood moving.

What other ideas are you all using out there to bolster the health and wellness of tired teachers?

[bergren]

I should have added, this was a 4000 student high school with 300 teachers. It was doable.

[Praiser]

Originally Posted by bergren

I should have added, this was a 4000 student high school with 300 teachers. It was doable.

<-----This is what you are Martha !
Thanks for the great ideas !
LPN 90