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Nurses report rising clinic demand, expanded in-school immunization and emergency supplies
Summary
The district's school-health coordinator reported increased clinic visits since the pandemic, rising chronic-condition diagnoses in some student groups, expanded in-school vaccine clinics and new emergency supplies (AEDs, nasal epinephrine, naloxone) for all schools.
Eileen Gomez, the district’s school-health services coordinator, presented a multi-year picture of school clinic activity and medical supports.
Gomez said clinic visits rose as pandemic-era restrictions eased; last year nurses recorded approximately 148,544 unique student visits across the division. She highlighted an increase in recorded seizure diagnoses among students (attributed in part to newly arrived refugee families), ongoing rates of asthma and diabetes, and a previously rising but now slightly declining trend in reported food allergies.
To improve access and compliance with immunization schedules, the district has hosted in-school vaccine clinics in partnership with the local health department and regional providers; Gomez noted the district uses a reasonableness approach for students who have appointments but cannot complete series before the first day of school.
Gomez also described expanded medical training for staff (seizure care, anaphylaxis, diabetes, naloxone) and the presence of emergency supplies at schools, including AEDs, undesignated naloxone and nasal epinephrine intended for use when a student or adult appears to be suffering anaphylaxis or opioid overdose.
Board members praised the broad scope of services and asked about trends, including dental services and the effect of public-health staffing changes; Gomez said the district will continue partnering with community health providers to address access and scheduling challenges.
