Increasing chronic illnesses and behavioral stresses have changed today’s schools and classrooms. The demands to keep students healthy and safe require school nurses to employ new and evolving strategies. Developing and expanding the school health team is crucial to meet these ever increasing needs. With the school nurse as the lead, the school health team, in some areas, has traditionally included the front office secretaries, school counselor, and school psychologist. A recently recognized and integral member of the school health team is the classroom teacher. When included in the health team process, the teacher is often the first person to recognize signs of illness or imbalance. Early intervention and referral to the school nurse is what will help keep students healthy, safe and ready to learn.

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