Category: Health and Safety

MEDIA RELEASE: Bonny Eagle Middle School Nurse Named 2020/2021 School Nurse of the Year

The Maine Association of School Nurses (MASN) recently announced that Donna Jordan from Bonny Eagle Middle School is the 2020/2021 Maine School Nurse of the Year. This award acknowledges a member of the MASN who demonstrates excellence in school nursing practice, and leadership in the profession.

“Our School Nurses are true heroes, and work tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of everyone in their school community,” said Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin. ” Congratulations to Mrs. Jordan on this tremendous honor, in a time that is so very demanding of school nurses in particular.”

Mrs. Jordan started her school nursing career 15 years ago at Bonny Eagle Middle School and continues to work there today. She is a trusted medical figure within her middle school community – not just among students, but also among staff. She has been described by one colleague as the “staple health professional” in a building of over 800 students and 100 staff members. Her school principal describes her as “a true professional who brings all she is to her position.”

In her career at Bonny Eagle Middle School, Mrs. Jordan has worked tirelessly as a champion for multiple causes. Her influence at the school and within the district is seen through committee appointments at the local and state level, in her training and educational roles, and as the recipient of several funded grants. She maintains professional membership in both the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and the Maine Association of School Nurses (MASN) and has served on the board of MASN for the past five years as treasurer. As one supporter stated, “she is a natural born leader…perceptive, caring, extremely bright, and always willing to go the extra mile for her school children and for her peers.”

“I am so proud of the way school nurses have taken on the incredible challenges of the Coronavirus,” added Makin. “Their knowledge, experience, and grace has been vital to the emergency preparedness partnerships in Maine schools across the state.”

For more information about past School Nurses of the Year, or how to nominate someone in your school community, visit the MASN website.

 

Community Learning for ME Offers November Wellness Wednesdays for Educators

Community Learning for ME will be hosting wellness related workshops and activities for teachers on Wednesdays in November.  All workshops are FREE to attend and participants will receive contact hours for participation in live sessions.

November 4th, 11th and 18th:

  • 7:15 – 7:30 AM – Start your day with a meditation session, physical activity or a good laugh.
  • 12:00 & 3:00 PM- Workshop sessions to provide teachers with a variety of practical and applicable wellness resources.

Self-Care is never selfish! For more information and to sign up visit Community Learning for ME or contact Megan Leach, Communications and Content Coordinator for Rural Asperations at megan@ruralaspirations.org.

Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey Administration Postponed

Dear Superintendents and Principals,

The Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) has been conducted in the February of odd-numbered years since 2009, with the next administration due in February 2021. Given the extraordinary circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MIYHS will be postponed to Fall 2021. With a significant portion of students learning remotely in some capacity, high quality data collection is not feasible for the 2020-2021 academic year. Postponing the survey will reduce the burden on schools and increase the chances of securing high quality data on students’ mental, physical, social, and emotional health.

We ask for your help in making the fall 2021 MIYHS successful by registering to participate early. Our partner, Pan Atlantic Research, will send out Fall 2021 registration information this winter. We are also excited to announce that select schools will have the option to conduct their surveys online next fall! Please stay tuned for more information.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jean Zimmerman at jean.zimmerman@maine.gov or Korey Pow at korey.pow@maine.gov.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies for Covid-19

This information has been provided by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry.

IAQ and IPM strategies for Microbial Pests

October is bringing predictably cooler temperatures, which means we’ll all be spending more time indoors. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is well known to affect human health and academic performance, but the pandemic has brought renewed attention. Now is a good time to take a second look at both ventilation systems and cleaning/disinfecting protocols to make sure all processes are working optimally and that staff have completed the necessary training.

Ventilation and Filtration

Our understanding of coronavirus has evolved in the past ten months, and we now know that people can become infected merely by sharing air, especially in close quarters. While wearing masks, installing barriers, reducing occupancy, and holding classrooms outdoors are good strategies, schools are also implementing additional ventilation and air filtration processes to reduce risk of disease transmission while also improving overall indoor air quality. Ventilation and filtration of indoor air may be at least as important, if not more so, than surface disinfection for reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission1,2. And, with increased use of cleaning and disinfectant products, it is especially important to ensure that indoor spaces are adequately ventilated.

The simplest way to increase ventilation is to open screened windows and doors for cross-ventilation of indoor spaces, if doing so does not compromise safety or interfere with normal operation of ventilation systems. This is less ideal as temperatures drop, but may offer a temporary way to improve IAQ (and reduce risk of coronavirus transmission) in buses and some classrooms.

Portable air cleaners can also help. Environmental engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder and Harvard have created a guide on selection and use of portable air cleaners for schools.

Environmental engineers also recommend increasing settings on mechanical ventilation systems to six to nine fresh air exchanges per hour, if possible. When more people are in a space, the air exchange rate should be at the higher settings. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides detailed checklists and comprehensive guidance on ventilation and filtration to help schools slow transmission of viruses and improve indoor air quality via HVAC systems in ‘Reopening of Schools and Universities’. Consult with your HVAC specialist before making any changes to operation of your HVAC system.

Image Credit: Yale School of Public Health ()https://publichealth.yale.edu/research/covid-19/schools/spaces/

Additional Resources

References Cited

1Goldman, E. 2020. Exaggerated risk of transmission of COVID-19 by fomites. The Lancet 20 (8): 892-893

2Sy, S. and F. Carlson. How a Focus on Cleaning Can Distract from Actual Virus Spread. PBS NewsHour. Sept 22, 2020

Cleaning and Disinfection

Selecting the right cleaning and disinfecting products and using them correctly is critical to the health and safety of the people in your care—including your own staff. Some products may pose unnecessary health risks, may be ineffective against coronavirus, and/or are not permitted for use in Maine schools. Avoid learning after the purchase, that the sales rep was misinformed about Maine’s regulations or was making false claims.

Before purchasing any products, obtain and read both the product label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and verify that the products under consideration are permitted for use and will be appropriate for the intended purpose. For disinfectants and sanitizers, the product label has instructions on how and where to use the product, what PPE may be required, the required contact time, and more. You must read and follow the label! Disinfectant labels are legal documents that clearly state, “It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.” The SDS has additional chemical safety information but lacks the critical information found only on the product label. Obtain the product label from your distributor or contact the Maine Board of Pesticides Control.

Because many disinfecting and sanitizing products share similar trade names, refer to the product’s unique identifier—the EPA Registration Number (EPA Reg. No.) found on the label. Keep a copy of both the product’s label and the SDS in your school’s pest activity logbook, along with a written record of were, why, how and by whom, these sanitizing or disinfectant pesticides are used in your schools.

Using Electrostatic or Other Powered Sprayers? Governor Mills issued Executive Order 7 FY20/21, temporarily suspending some pesticide applicator licensing requirements, thus permitting the unlicensed use of powered sprayers for routine disinfection by qualified staff. To qualify for this temporary exemption personnel must complete School Disinfectant Applicator Training and the associated on-line exam to receive a certificate.

Non-school employees, including contracted cleaning services and bus drivers are not included in this license exemption and must have a full Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license for powered disinfectant application. All other pesticide applications on school properties, powered or not, also require a Commercial Pesticide Applicators license. Contact the Maine Board of Pesticides Control for more information.

Additional Resources

Training

alling new IPM Coordinators! 

All School IPM Coordinators must complete the Initial Training Module and the Comprehensive IPM Training one time.

  • The next Comprehensive IPM Training  will be offered via webinar Friday October 30, 8:00-11:00 AM. REGISTER NOW. Note: This webinar will be recorded and available for on-demand viewing later.

 

  • Initial IPM Training, provides an overview of Maine’s School IPM requirements (always available on-demand).

After completion of these two trainings, you must also earn one hour of IPM continuing education/year. Credit can be earned by viewing webinars, presentations and videos related to school IPM such as the webinars listed below.

Additional Training Opportunities

October 20, 2020, 1:00-2:30 PM ET. Cleaning up after Rodent Infestations. Register Now.

October 22, 2020, 1:00-2:30 PM ET. New Tools to Assess and Address IAQ Health and Safety. Register Now.

Questions/Comments? Contact us!
Email: kathy.murray@maine.gov
Phone: 207-287-7616

Get this from a friend? Subscribe Now! Or visit maine.gov/schoolipm to subscribe.

Resilience Strategies for Educators: Techniques for Self-Care and Peer Support

Created in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools (OSSS), the Resilience Strategies for Educators: Techniques for Self-Care and Peer Support (RSE) Train-the-Educator (TtE) Virtual Training by Request (VTBR) is a virtual learning opportunity for caregivers in schools and school districts to better understand, and teach others, resilience strategies following emergency events.

TRAINING DETAILS
When: Monday, October 26, 2020
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET
Training Link: https://remstacenter.adobeconnect.com/rse-tte-augusta-maine-school-safety-center/
Cost: NO CHARGE

Register for this virtual training session online at: https://www.remstacenter.org/TBR/TrainingRegistration.aspx?trainingsid=4349

Registration for this event closes on Friday, October 23, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. (ET).

For more information, download this flyer (PDF).

This class kicks off the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center’s 2020-2021 training series. MSSC will be hosting a different class every month for the next 5 months:

  • Resilience Strategies for Educators: Techniques for Self-Care and Peer Support Train-the-Educator
  • Developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) K-12 101 Train-the-Trainer
  • Developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) K-12 101 Train-the-Educator
  • School Behavioral Threat Assessments: An Introduction
  • Conducting K-12 Site Assessments with SITE ASSESS

For more information contact the Maine School Safety Center.

 

FREE Resilience Strategies Training- Save the Date!

SAVE THE DATE!  Monday, October 26, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM

The National Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) in partnership with the Maine Department of Education’s School Safety Center (MSSC) presents!  

Resilience Strategies for Educators and Community Partners: Techniques for Self-Care and Peer Support Train-the Educator

This session is designed to provide a learning opportunity for school and district caregivers to better understand, and teach others, resilience strategies following emergency events. (COVID-19 certainly qualifies!) The intended audiences for this training include but are not limited to: school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school and district administrators, educators and support staff, and community partners such as local mental/ behavioral health practitioners and SROs/police.

Free participation is limited to 475 attendees.

The registration link will be posted next week. For more information view this flyer (PDF)

The staff at the MSSC hope to see you there, virtually of course!

Resources for Schools to Address Tobacco Use, Vaping   

The MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence and local District Tobacco Prevention Partners have free resources to support Maine schools in addressing tobacco use and vaping. 

Join us for a free webinar on Thursday, November 5th for the webinar from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. that will address shifting trends in vaping, including newer products and regulations, and how to work with adolescents who might be interested in quitting or showing signs of nicotine addiction.  FMI: TobaccoPreventionServices@mainehealth.org.   

  • Local Support is Available: District Tobacco Prevention Partners can provide free technical assistance for policy change, enforcement, education and programming.  Find your local Partner at CTIMaine.org/dtpp 
  • Implementing a Tobacco-Free School Policy: Download the School Policy Toolkit for template language and policy change tips. 
  • Vaping Resources: 
  • Educational Information and Infographics: Downloadable e-cigarette and vaping use prevention resources are available at CTIMaine.org/ENDS-Vaping. 
  • Maine Vape Quit Support Line: Any Maine adult or youth resident can call 1-844-9NO-VAPE for assistance for those who vape and want to quit, those needing assistance in how to support a loved one who vapes, and anyone with a general question about vaping. Learn More. 
  • Vape Free Maine Campaign: Resources, including posters and an info card, to support the Maine CDC’s current youth vaping prevention campaign, Vape Free Maine, can be downloaded from Dropbox. 
  • Treatment Resources: 
  • Maine QuitLink: Maine residents can choose from a variety of digital and phone based programs to meet them where they are in their quitting process. Individuals can access services by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, visiting MaineQuitLink.com or through provider referral. 
  • Youth Vaping Text Support Program:  This is Quitting is a free, confidential texting program with evidence-based tips to help 13-24 year olds quit vaping.  Text MAINE to 88709 to register for services and visit MaineQuitLink.com/Text-To-Quit-Vaping for additional information. 
  • Training & Education Opportunities: 
  • Sidekicks: The Sidekicks program has a goal of working with young people and adult advisors in Maine to help teens find the words to talk to their peers about tobacco use and vaping.  Once trained as a Sidekick, youth have the skills to hold respectful conversations with their peers about tobacco use, as well as other risky behaviors.  Learn more at WeAreSidekicks.org. 
  • Tobacco Treatment Training and Education: The MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence provides a variety of tobacco treatment trainings, education programs and webinars.  Learn more at CTIMaine.org/education. 
  • Vaping Presentations for Students, Staff and Parents: District Tobacco Prevention Partners can provide educational presentations on e-cigarettes and vaping, contact your local Partner to set up a training that is right for your school community. 

Questions: TobaccoPreventionServices@MaineHealth.org 

COVID-19 Infographics Available for Schools, Families, and Youth 

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) have collaborated on two COVID-19 graphic tools to aid school staff in screening a child for COVID-19 if the child appears or feels unwell. An additional pre-screening tool with a list of COVID-19 symptoms has been created for schools to distribute to families to help them determine if a child is well enough to attend school. 

  • FOR DISTRIBUTION TO FAMILIES: COVID-19 Pre-screening Tool for School Attendance (Updated 8.3.20). In addition to English, this tool will be translated into the top ten languages spoken by Maine students: Arabic (Jordan), Chinese (People’s Republic of China), French (France), Khmer (Cambodia), Kinyarwanda (Rwanda), Kiswahili/Swahili (Congo, DRC), Portuguese (Angola), Somali (Somalia), Spanish, Vietnamese (Vietnam). These additional versions will be available as soon as possible. 
  • FOR SCHOOL NURSES AND OTHER STAFF TASKED WITH EVALUATING STUDENT HEALTH: COVID-19 Child Feels or Appears Unwell Flowchart (Updated 8.4.20) 

The two infographics above have also been linked to the Framework for Returning to Classroom Instruction and the Maine DOE’s COVID-19 webpage under Health Resources.  

In addition, the CDC has produced a series of factsheets for young adults, ages 15-21. The factsheets cover a variety of topics, including what test results mean, how to stay safe at the pool or beach, how to wear a face covering and other preventive measures.  

If schools have further questions about these health resources, please contact Maine DOE School Nurse Consultant Emily Poland at emily.poland@maine.gov.

FREE TRAINING for Comprehensive Emergency Operations Planning: A Framework for Fall 2020

Maine Department of Education is proud to announce that our Maine School Safety Center Team will be hosting a series for all School Administrative Units (SAUs) and their Collaborative Planning Team members to create or review their Emergency Operations Plans.  These plans should serve as the framework for any emergency planning and response effort, and requires a whole community approach. While it is still too early to finalize guidance for schools in Fall of 2020, by participating in this training, SAUs will be optimally positioned to apply forthcoming guidance to their existing frameworks.

This eight week series, beginning June 9 and occurring every Tuesday at 10:00 am, will walk participants through the comprehensive framework, from which all emergency response plans are built, and will include expert presenters for the individual topics and training that was developed by Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS).

Week 1: Overview of the Six Step Planning Process (1 hour)
Week 2: Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) (1 hour)
Week 3: Continuity of Operations Annex (1.5 hours)
Week 4: Recovery Annex (1.5 hours)
Week 5: Infectious Diseases Annex – broad coverage (1 hour)
Week 6: Integrating Disabilities (1.5 hours)
Week 7: Bereavement and Loss Annex (1.5 hours)
Week 8: Understanding Resilience and Developing a Self-Care Plan (1 hour)

Your Collaborative Planning Team should include your school nurse, administrators, educators, and representatives from transportation, food service, local emergency responders, and your local or regional community health experts, and we encourage you to share the registration with them.

When timely guidance for Fall 2020 is provided, additional training that builds upon this framework will be provided by Maine School Safety Center, and will ensure all SAUs have the necessary tools to make sound decisions for the safety and well-being of your school communities.

Please register in advance of the meeting, here.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Contact hours will be available at the conclusion of the series.

MEDIA RELEASE: NAMI Maine Launches Teen Peer Support Text Line 

Text Line Aims to Provide Mental Health Support During COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond

Maine’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Maine) has announce the launch of the Teen Text Support Line, a new mental health program for youth 14 – 20 years of age living in Maine.

The Text Line can be reached at (207) 515 – 8398 (TEXT). The Teen Text Support Line operates from 12pm – 10pm each day and provides adolescents who may need additional mental health support with a safe space to talk with another young person. Staff providing support via the Teen Text Line are between 19 – 23 years of age.

“NAMI Maine is focused on providing mental health support to all Mainers,” says NAMI Maine CEO Jenna Mehnert. “We saw the need to create a mental health peer support teen text line and were able to launch this new resource.”

“In this time when routines are changing more than ever, it is important for youths to have some connection to others who can understand some of the struggles and disappointments that we are experiencing,” says one Maine 8th grader. According to the 2019 Maine KIDS COUNT Data Book, Maine’s youth have the highest rate of diagnosed anxiety in the nation, and the country’s third highest rate of diagnosed depression among children aged 3 – 17.

The Teen Text Line is not a crisis line. If you believe that you or someone you know could be in crisis, please do not hesitate to connect with the Maine Crisis Line via phone or text at (888) 568-1112.

Through support, education, and advocacy NAMI Maine is dedicated to building better lives for the one in four Mainers who are affected by mental illness.

For more information, visit www.namimaine.org/page/teentextline, or contact NAMI Maine’s CEO Jenna Mehnert at (207) 907-0303 or jenna@namimaine.org.