Since students across our Nation returned to in-person learning in August of 2020, school nurses everywhere have been placed on the front lines battling the Coronavirus. From training teachers on new health protocols to collaborating with families about the health and wellness of their children, it’s clear school nurses have been involved in all things COVID. The outstanding nursing staff has been no different at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Ellicott City. All three nurses have been committed to keeping OLPH students and staff safe during the pandemic.

With each changing protocol, OLPH’s nurses sought to understand and implement to-plan. And the team has processed all the appropriate paperwork for children that test positive or are close contacts, communicating with the county health department at each step of the process. Though a critical and valued addition to OLPH’s COVID response, in-school Covid testing and, recently, Test-to-Stay have increased OLPH nurses’ busyness throughout their day. We are grateful for their tireless efforts as they address an ever-changing health landscape and a tripled workload due to properly mitigating Covid situations.

OLPH employs three separate nurses to cover school hours so that there is a nurse on campus whenever school is in session. This model has been a success for many years and is highly regarded by the nursing team and parents alike. While nursing staff departures have affected many other area schools, the OLPH nurses have leaned into the challenges at hand while

providing exceptional care for students and staff. “We are very fortunate at OLPH that our nursing team works so well together. We have each other’s backs and are available when details become complicated,” OLPH Nurse Karen recently shared.

How does a school even begin to thank our nursing team for working tirelessly to keep children in school and teachers healthy? The Board recently championed the efforts to shower the OLPH nursing staff with gifts and flowers to brighten their suite.. We are confident there will never be enough accolades to show the OLPH school community’s appreciation. Still, on behalf of the entire OLPH School community, we are deeply grateful to our school nurses.

“Thank you!”