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District nurses log thousands of encounters; health services report highlights screenings, partnerships and staffing
Summary
Director Mae Hawkins said the district employs six full-time RNs and one part-time nurse, recorded 17,459 student visits to nurse offices last year with 10,153 returned to class, delivered 299 flu shots, and partnered with local eye care providers to screen students and provide glasses to seniors.
The Pine Bluff School District health services director told the board the districtnursing team consists of six full-time registered nurses, one part-time nurse and unlicensed assistant personnel supporting school-based clinics.
Mae Hawkins reported 17,459 student visits to nurse offices last year; of those, 10,153 were treated and returned to class. The district provided 299 flu shots in the 202526'26 flu clinic, conducted vision and hearing screenings across mandated grades (1,605 students screened in the reported sample; 332 were referred for follow-up) and screened seniors (124 screened with a number receiving glasses via a volunteer optometrist partnership). Hawkins highlighted partnerships with River Mountain Eye Care and other community health providers and described efforts to grow school-based health clinic capacity such as collaboration with Jefferson Comprehensive Care and Arkansas Childrens Hospital.
Hawkins also described the district's work to comply with recent state requirements for cardiac emergency response plans and the development of school crisis teams and mock drills with local emergency responders. She asked the board to consider continued support for dental and other services to address students' broader health needs ahead of graduation.
Board members applauded the programs and asked staff to expand outreach about available services to families and community partners.
