Get To Know the District Nurses

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Nancy Cooley, Warstler, Middlebranch, and Barr Elementary schools as well as overseeing all nine schools Jennifer Oliver, Avondale, Frazer, and Taft Elementary schools

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Susan Kear, Glenwood Intermediate School

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Bobbi Jo Kintigh, Oakwood Middle School Sarah Furbee, GlenOak High School Tina Perrin, GlenOak High School

The job of a school nurse is a complex one, from keeping up to date with immunization records and supporting our students with medical needs, to dealing with the day-to-day bloody noses and playground injuries, the plate of a school nurse has always been full. Flash forward to March 2020 when the whole world shut down thanks to one big new phrase, COVID-19. Seemingly overnight school nurses were expected to be experts in all things COVID-19.

Our nurses instantly had to navigate the ever-evolving state mandates, answer parent and staff questions and face the unknown. In Plain Local we were lucky to have district nurse Nancy Cooley in the captain’s chair as we faced this storm ahead. By her side were Tina Perrin, Susan Kear, Bobbi Jo Kintigh, Sarah Furbee and Jennifer Oliver.

While it feels like the storm we have been living in is slowly starting to subside, the work of our school nurses is never over. We were able to chat with our district nurses to get to know them a little better. We are immensely grateful for our team of district nurses and all they do for our students each and every day! Nurses across the Plain Local School District include: 1 Nancy Cooley, Warstler, Middlebranch, and Barr Elementary schools as well as overseeing all nine schools 2 Jennifer Oliver, Avondale, Frazer, and

Taft Elementary schools 3 Susan Kear, Glenwood Intermediate

School 4 Bobbi Jo Kintigh, Oakwood Middle

School 5 Sarah Furbee, GlenOak High School 6 Tina Perrin, GlenOak High School

NC: Often my schedule changes in response to urgent health needs/ concerns or accidents. I often travel to several school buildings a day and there are certain students with chronic health issues that I must see daily to provide care for them. Focus on preventive care varies depending on what time year we are experiencing. JO: As a school nurse I spend my day traveling between the three schools based on the needs of the students. We make sure the students are getting the care they need related to illness or injuries. We interact with parents, guardians and staff providing guidance on the options available to meet the students’ health needs. TP: My days are never typical! I get surprised daily. That’s what makes my job great.

What is your favorite part of your job?

SK: The kids, though challenging at times. I love the teachable moments. They are at the stage of trying to figure out who they are, wanting to be grown, but not too much. This is the time I hope I can make a difference for some of them who need some guidance re: healthy living, how to take care of themselves and make good decisions. There are always those few who I can tell the clinic is their “safe place” or place to run to – haha. But seriously, sometimes they are frustrated or actually trying to behave and need somewhere to go. SF: I love that no two days are the same. I see a variety of students with a variety of health concerns and enjoy helping every one of them. TP: The interaction with students is my favorite part of the job. If I can teach a student something that they use throughout their life, I am thrilled.

What is one thing you wish people knew about Plain Local Schools or your specific position?

NC: The school nurse’s job far exceeds the notion that nursing in a school only involves bandages and ice packs. Also, all of the Plain Local nurses come with previous experience in other areas of nursing and bring a cumulative, many decades, of valuable knowledge to the job. That experience includes ER, ICU, pediatrics, drug addiction rehabilitation, med/surg hospital, teaching, geriatric, psychiatric, and even obstetrical and gynecology nursing! BJK: As a nurse we have to keep up with our licensures and all required standards. We have many specialties to our background besides our current titles of school nurses. I have worked in a hospital for 17+ years before coming to Plain Local Schools. Our goal is to keep our building safe and as healthy as can be for our children to get a good education. After all, they are our future. SK: I like the “community” feel of Plain Local. It is also very diverse, which in this world is a good education in itself. My job…that it is way more than handing out bandaids and ice bags. Though not always physically stressful, there are days it is emotionally stressful and I may worry about a student(s) after the buses pull away.

What is your favorite thing about being part of the Plain Township community?

BJK: Plain Township is there to celebrate in the good times but also jumps in when there is a crisis that happens to not only our community, but we support our surrounding communities as well. This community is always willing to support however they can. I am proud to not only work in Plain but also to live here. JO: Working within and being able to give back to the community that I grew up in and still live in. I love being able to help students and be someone they see as safe and willing to help them in any situation. NC: The people I work with and seeing how much they really care about the children in our care.

What is one thing you are proud of that has come out of the last two years and the COVID pandemic?

SF: Plain Local’s dedication to keep students in school during the pandemic. SK: Other than “we survived!” No seriously, out of necessity we have had to not only learn to work more closely together as a team, but in general most people have had to consider the health and safety of others around them. Hand washing and staying home when you are sick, even though that was what we should have done, it is now what we do. Hopefully we were a part of making a difference in the safety and support of the children in this district. JO: One of the things I am proud of is the collaboration that occurred to enable students to get safely back into the classroom in a timely manner.

If you could share one piece of advice to Plain Local students, what would it be?

NC: Take advantage of the wonderful educational options and experiences that Plain Local has to offer to prepare you for your future endeavors. You have many cheerleaders in the staff at Plain Local Schools rooting you on! SK: There are way more people who care about them and their future than they realize. And they always have someone to turn to if they need help. SF: Plain Local offers many career and technical programs or opportunities to earn college credits in high school. Take advantage of the opportunities to set your future up for success.

If you are not at work, what can you be found doing?

NC: Reading and traveling as much as possible. SF: Spending time with family or reading a good book. SK: I love being outside – if it is warm. I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law and NANA. And I am a woman of strong faith. BJK: Spending time with my family and furbabies. TP: When the weather is nice, I enjoy walking, concerts and working in my garden. During the winter months I enjoy attempting small home projects, crafts and staying warm. JO: When I am not at work I can be found spending time with family and friends!

Final thoughts or anything else you would like to share?

SK: It is never a waste of time to care for others. Most of the time our time is far more valuable than our money. JO: It has been my passion for years as a nurse to make a difference in people’s lives, being a difference-maker to our students is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had! BJK: I am proud that my husband and I were able to have raised our guys at Plain Local Schools. We are proud parents to be on this next journey with them while they are currently serving our country in the United States Air Force. NC: Go Eagles!!!