1. Child Nutrition
2. YRBS Report / Sleep Deprivation
3. Montana School Nurse of the Year
4. Tobacco Use Prevention Resources
5. School Safety Development Grant
Extension of Four Nationwide Waivers
Pursuant to section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act) (P.L. 116-127), and in light of the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending the following Nationwide Waivers to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus.
The following Child Nutrition Program Nationwide Waivers extension were issued May 14, 2020:
YRBS Special Report: Sleep Deprivation
This special report using 2019 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey results, cross-tabulates the variable of “hours slept on an average school night” with 58 other health risk behaviors asked on the survey. The Sleep Deprivation Report displays the connection and importance for high school students to obtain adequate amounts of sleep. Sleep-deprived students are shown to have higher rates of unhealthy risk behaviors in nearly every topic queried. Please visit the Montana YRBS web page for more data from the 2019 survey. For more information, contact Susan Court at 406-444-3178 or scourt@mt.gov
Each year, the members of MASN select one of their peers to be honored as Montana’s School Nurse of the Year. The Montana School Nurse of the Year is eligible for the NASN National School Nurse of the Year award. Each state’s School Nurse of the Year is also recognized at the NASN Annual Convention, and in NASN publications.
Previous recipients of the Montana School Nurse of the Year award include:
2019/20 Connie Johnson 2018/19 Kristine Oostermeyer
2017/18 Amelia Landon 2016/17 Erica Harp
2015/16 Rebecca Spear 2014/15 LuAnn Driessen
2013/14 Bonnie Canty 2012/13 Shirley Gordon
2011/12 Cheryl Summerer 2010/11 Kendra Selser
2009/10 Sue Buswell 2008/09 Diane Clark
2007/08 Cookie Johnson 2006/07 Karen Hutchinson
2005/06 Del Zetterberg 2004/05 Linda Simon
2003/04 Connie Bengtson
2002/03 Jody Manyheart
2000/01 Vicki Olson Johnson
1999/00 Kathy Boutilier
1998/99 Patricia Mocabee
1997/98 Grayce Sivigne
1996/97 Dot Warner
Each of these school nurses has excelled in areas of practice, leadership, and collaboration.
Eligibility for this award is based on NASN criteria and includes:
- Evidence of excellence in school nursing practice and leadership in school health
- Member of MASN/NASN
- Active participation in MASN
- Minimum of 5 years practice as a school nurse
- Past recipients may not be re-nominated
Even though the 2019-2020 school year ended weeks ago, Montana schools continue to address the everchanging impact of Covid-19. We cannot help but be impressed by the resiliency of students, parents, teachers, school nutrition professionals, administrators, and all staff as schools across the state reacted with composed immediacy to this pandemic. Kudos to you all!
We hope schools will find these tobacco prevention education resources especially helpful as we deal with education in the time of Covid-19.
While student vaping has certainly been a problem for many Montana middle and high schools, remote learning brings prevention work a whole new challenge. Many won’t be surprised that studies indicate smoking and vaping can impact the lungs ability to battle viruses, including Covid-19. With students at home all day, it is especially important that parents are well informed about the risks of youth vaping. We have included easy links for schools to share with parents in the resources provided above.
The OPI Tobacco Use Prevention Education program has delivered in person staff trainings identifying current trends in tobacco use to thousands of Montana educators. If you would like to offer a free ZOOM training for your staff this summer or as school starts again in the fall, contact Kris Minard for scheduling.
Wishing you and your families good health, a good sense of humor and the continued ability to find the silver linings as we all negotiate this pandemic.
As always, thank you for helping your students stay tobacco free…. for life.
Kris Minard
OPI Tobacco Use Prevention Education
406.444.0785
kminard@mt.gov
Round two of the Montana Legislature’s HB 601 School Safety Professional Development Grant will open at 10 am on June 17, 2020 MST. For this round of awards, the Legislature has provided a total of $100,000 for the OPI to grant to Montana’s schools. Schools who did not receive an award for FY 2020 can apply for grants of $1000 to $10,000 to conduct school safety professional development during the 2020-2021 school year. More information on this competitive grant is available on the HB 601 School Safety Professional Development Grant web page where applications will also be submitted. Grants for allowable activities will be funded in the order in which they are received until funds are exhausted. For more details on the HB 601 School Safety Professional Development Grant contact Tammy Lysons, tamara.lysons@mt.gov, 406-444-0829.
Health Enhancement & Safety Division
Health Enhancement & Safety: Leona Wetherall, 406-444-0751
School Nutrition: Clay Hickman, 406-444-2501
Traffic Education: Patti Borneman, 406-444-4432
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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