On May 7, 2003, we will celebrate National School Nurse Day in conjunction with National Nurse Week, May 6-12, 2003. The National Association of School Nurses’ Presidential theme is “Partners With Children, Families, and Communities,” and accurately depicts the critical role nurses play in the Department of Defense Pacific schools.

     School nurses help children gain a better understanding of the importance of personal health and safety, provide appropriate interventions to potential and real health problems, network with others to build the capacity for students and families to be their own health advocates, and communicate important health-related information to parents and the community through school publications and media outlets. School nurses are instrumental in helping DoDDS Pacific integrate and reinforce strands of the health and physical education curriculum through the health services program. The contributions of our school nurses have been an essential part of the DoDDS Pacific educational mission and the Community Strategic Plan.

     The enormous dedication and commitment of school nurses conveys to parents and community members that children’s health problems and injuries are and will be sensitively, caringly, and skillfully handled. For 100 years, school nurses have been playing a vital role in caring for and improving the health and well being of our nation’s children.

     On behalf of all employees in DoDDS Pacific, I extend a special “thank you” to all school nurses for your unwavering service to the children within our school community. There is no question that your dedicated work lifts spirits and touches lives in a very special way.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS Pacific