Ah-nold takes Ed cuts off the table, but fight continues!
On Wednesday, Arnold released the May budget revise and took education off the cutting block! Despite this recent news, San Diego Unified has only rescinded lay-off notices for counselors, librarians, and English teachers, sparing close to 300 of the 900 expected lay-offs. This is a calculated move that makes no sense, and will lead to divisiveness among educators and support staff. We need to continue to add pressure to the school board so that they do the right thing and rescind all notices.
On Thursday, teachers, school nurses, and other support staff representatives met with the recently hired Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier to discuss these recent changes to the state budget and advocate for laid-off personnel, and discuss the progress (or lack of progress) in the school district. Juliet participated in this round table and served as the sole representative for school nurses. Below is her follow up letter sent to Dr. Grier today which captures her discussion with him yesterday:
Dear Dr. Terry Grier, Firstly, I want to thank you for giving me the unique opportunity to share my story. Thank you for listening and being so gracious. It was my esteemed honor to represent School Nurses and I appreciate Camille Zombro for inviting me to this meeting. Were you able to read the position statements of the National Association for School Nurses (NASN), the article from the Journal of School Nursing, and the policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics? What are your thoughts about this literature? I want to reiterate the reality that nurses provide a valuable service that no one else in the district can provide. We have saved this district countless dollars by decreasing the rate of absenteeism, providing ongoing care to students with health concerns, early detection of problems through screenings, and mitigating the risks of liability. You cited the fact that the cost of health care is on the rise and how families often seek emergency services because they lack access to primary care providers. School Nurses provide a bridge to these services by linking families to appropriate resources. Often times a nurse on campus is the only connection that a student has to any resources at all. They say "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and this is the basis for the Primary Health Care Model which School Nurses subscribe to. I also urge to you to consider that School Nurses are not just "support staff" but rather integral team members who care for and educate students, families, teachers, and staff members. I have no doubt that if one were able to complete a cost-benefit analysis one would find that School Nurses are "worth their weight in gold." Every student deserves a school nurse. Additionally, I believe that it's time we return to the core values of education and health care. This day and age brings about more complex issues. Mental health and health problems in general have increased and are more complicated. Students feel that the "nurse's office" is a safe place to go and nurses often play the role of counselor as well as advocate. I have faith that I will see the day when San Diego City Schools is in the "top ten" in terms of education as well as "top ten" for student to nurse ratios. On a personal level this experience has been one that has challenged me and pushed me to grow farther than I ever have as an individual who is committed to making a difference. I consider it a true honor and an inspiration to be a School Nurse for this district. To be one of the "elite" few who care for our students, families, and staff. It is my expectation that the profession of School Nursing, over a century old, expands and grows instead of declining. I have made it my mission to be a voice for School Nursing because I believe by advocating for nurses, I am advocating for my students and families. Dr. Grier, will you advocate for us? "Be the change you want to see in the world" -Quote by Mahatma Gandi "Just don't give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." -Quote by Ella Fitzgerald Your partner in education, Juliet dela Paz, RN, BSN
