Additional Health Resources

Influenza ("the flu") is unpredictable and can be severe, especially for children and those with compromised immune systems. Each year, thousands of children get sick with seasonal influenza, and for some, seasonal flu can lead to hospitalization or even death. The CDC estimates between 5 and 20 percent of U.S. residents get the flu each year and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. The single best way to protect your children from influenza is to get them vaccinated each year. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine. In addition, vigilant adherence to common sense health and hygiene practices is one of the best ways to protect yourself from becoming infected. Careful and frequent hand washing, covering your cough and sneeze, staying home when you are ill and keeping children home when they are ill will help everyone stay healthy.

The Flu Vaccine Finder locates flu vaccine clinics near you. Simply enter your zip code or city and state to find mapped locations of flu vaccine clinics.

Flu Vaccine Finder

Know What to Do About the Flu

The Know What to Do About the Flu widget provides a graphic with links to cdc.gov.

Influenza Resources

Indiana State Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Super Shot

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Fort Wayne Community Schools is committed to the safety and well-being of our students, staff and families. As a part of that commitment, we work closely with other governmental agencies to prepare for crisis, including pandemic preparedness. On this page, we will frequently update information regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). FWCS COVID-19 Guidelines 2024-25

Diabetes

School Nurses provide the following services to students who need diabetes management at school:

Acts as a resource for school staff regarding diabetes management.
Train school personnel to give diabetes care when the nurse is not present.
Teach students about diabetes and helps them find successful ways to manage it.
Encourage student and family involvement in community diabetes activities.
Are the liaison between physicians, families, school personnel and students to balance educational goals with health needs.
Promote student and staff awareness about Type 2 diabetes and its prevention by increasing exercise and improving eating habits.

Diabetes Education

Know the Signs of Diabetes

Candy Carbohydrate Counts

Sick Day Guidelines

Snack Ideas

USDA Carbohydrate Counts

Practical Pump Pointers

Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia Decision Tree

Hypoglycemia Decision Tree

Carbohydrate Counting Basics

Insulin Pumps in School

Care Plans and Instructions

It is imperative that all diabetes plans, supplies (insulin, syringes, testing supplies, snacks, etc.) be in place at school prior to the first day of attendance. Please ask about a conference with school staff. Contact your school nurse.

Other Forms You May Need

Resources

"Hotshots" is the newsletter published during the school year by our diabetes nurse educator. It contains community and special event news along with tips for dealing with diabetes issues. Your copy of "Hotshots" will be sent home from schools with your student.

Care of Illness

Learning and health go hand in hand. In order for children to learn, they need to be in school. Ill children have difficulty staying focused and on task in the classroom. Notify your school when your child is ill or has a contagious disease.

Please contact your family health care provider or school nurse with questions about the information given here. This information is designed as a guideline and explains the Fort Wayne Community Schools Health Services illness protocols. This is not a substitute for advice from your family health care provider.

Indiana State Department of Health

MRSA

There have been many stories lately about students across the city, state and country contracting Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). At Fort Wayne Community Schools we take great care to make sure our students attend school in a safe and healthy environment. When we have health issues we work closely with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, as well as the Indiana Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when necessary. The following information is from the CDC regarding MRSA.

MRSA Website

What is MRSA?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MRSA infections are skin infections that may appear as pustules or boils which often are red, swollen, painful, or have pus or other drainage. These skin infections commonly occur at sites of visible skin trauma, such as cuts and abrasions, and areas of the body covered by hair (e.g., back of neck, groin, buttock, armpit, beard area of men).

Almost all MRSA skin infections can be effectively treated by drainage of pus with or without antibiotics. More serious infections, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or bone infections, are very rare in healthy people who get MRSA skin infections.

How is MRSA transmitted?

How can I protect myself and my child from getting MRSA?

By practicing good hygiene; covering skin abrasions or cuts with a clean dry bandage until healed; avoiding sharing personal items (e.g., towels, razors) that come into contact with your bare skin; using a barrier (e.g., clothing or a towel) between your skin and shared equipment such as weight-training benches; and maintaining a clean environment by establishing cleaning procedures for frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that come into direct contact with people’s skin.

Should schools close because of an MRSA infection?

The decision to close a school for any communicable disease should be made by school officials in consultation with local and/or state public health officials. However, in most cases, it is not necessary to close schools because of a MRSA infection in a student. It is important to note that MRSA transmission can be prevented by simple measures such as hand hygiene and covering infections.

Should the school be closed to be cleaned or disinfected when an MRSA infection occurs?

Should the entire school community be notified of every MRSA infection?

Should students with MRSA skin infections be excluded from attending school?

Where can I find more information?

Asthma

D. Lulling, RN, BSN Asthma Educator

Asthma is the most common chronic illness identified in our schools in Allen County. Last year in Fort Wayne Community Schools, approximately 3,661(not sure how many students this effects now) students were identified with asthma.

To meet the growing educational needs of student, their families, and school staff, Parkview provides the services of an Asthma Educator to FWCS, East Allen County Schools, Northwest Allen County Schools and local physician offices.

Care Plans and Resources

"Open Airways for Children" for children in grades 3-5 is an accredited educational program sponsored by the American Lung Association. Classes take place during lunch and lunch recess, one day a week for six weeks.

Children learn in a group setting of up to ten children

signs and symptoms of an asthma attack
what to do if they have symptoms
relaxation techniques
what things "trigger" their asthma episodes
and what to do if they have an asthma attack.

"A is for Asthma" for children in grades K-2. One session class takes place during lunch and lunch recess or in the classroom.

how to identify and care for an asthma attack
how children without asthma can aid the affected child

Resources

Asthma parent-physician info

Medication Permit

Administration of Medication- Self Carry

More About Mrs. Lulling

Mrs. Lulling brings 29 years of pediatric nursing experience to the position. While living with asthma in her own life and providing guidance for her son to deal with his disease, Mrs. Lulling understands asthma. She knows how it affects daily life at school and home, interactions with peers, and the need for up-to-date medical information

As a Parkview community nurse, Asthma Educator, Mrs. Lulling meets with children at school and/or with their parents at home to:

help them better understand their asthma and how the body reacts to the disease process
meet the health needs and give guidance for life-long skills to help fulfill their educational and future goals
pinpoint triggers in their home/school to be aware of how they influence their asthma
provide education to understand the use and actions of each medication
distinguish the early warning signs of an asthma episode
identify the signs and symptoms of an acute asthma episode
teach them the treatment needed when asthma becomes an emergency

Mrs. Lulling states that, "Children with asthma should be able to do anything in life they want and if they can’t, their asthma is not being controlled effectively."

Mrs. Lulling’s services to FWCS nurses, students and families are donated by Parkview Hospital in association with their Community Health Improvement Initiative.

The classes are taught by Jan Moore, RRT-NPS, Parkview Hospital Community Asthma Educator. A registered respiratory therapist with a neonatal-pediatric sub-specialty, Mrs. Moore has provided asthma education while working in the Children’s Specialty Clinic for the last ten years. She also provides one-on-one asthma education either at school or with the parent in her office.

Deb Lulling, RN, BSN will be assisting with the classes as well. She has worked in Pediatrics and Peds ICU in the past as well as being an asthma educator for Parkview for the last 5 years.

The above programs are free of charge and sponsored by Parkview Hospital Community Health Improvement Program. You may call 260.373.7996 for additional information.