A Nurse's Prayer
Let me dedicate my life today, to the care of those who come my way. Let me touch each one with healing hands, and the gentle art for which I stand. And then tonight when the day is done, let me rest in peace if I've helped just one.
Teri Lynn Thompson
Hello Bobcats!
I am so excited to welcome everyone back for a brand new school year at Martin Elementary!
A bit about me: I have been a nurse since 2012 and have experience in several areas of healthcare. However, children have always held a special place in my heart. School nursing provides a unique opportunity to serve others while building lasting relationships with not only our students, but with their families as well. I believe in giving smiles, hugs, and doing all that I do in love. I was called to serve others, and I am blessed to have been using my passion for my purpose in Celina ISD for the past 10 years. In May 2024, I graduated from UTA with my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and shortly thereafter, passed my national licensing exam - transitioning my professional credentials from an that of an LVN to RN.
I look forward to partnering with you! Please collaborate with me and openly communicate any medical needs your child may have. After all, students must be healthy to be educated and educated to be healthy!
Becca Russell, Nurse
Martin Elementary School
rebeccarussell@celinaisd.com
If your child needs to take medication while at school, please contact the school nurse. Prescription medications need to be in their original container/packaging with your child's name and dosage information. A completed medication administration form signed by both a parent and physician is required for all medications to be administered on campus. For any over the counter medications a separate form that includes a parent/guardian signature will be required. Medication Authorization forms are valid for one school year only. A new form must be completed each year as it applies to your child. For questions regarding the district's updated health services policies, please visit the Health Services webpage at https://www.celinaisd.com/our-departments/health-services or contact Nurse Russell directly.
Never send medication to school in your child's backpack.
Please review the following guidelines that teachers are asked to follow in their classrooms in regards to clinic visits. Any and all medical conditions/concerns must be communicated directly with Nurse Russell. If your child has a special circumstance that requires deviation from the following guidelines, please call or email Nurse Russell to discuss further.
Reasonable expectations for self-care in the classroom:
Chapped lips: Cover with a thin layer of Vaseline.
Minor abrasions (scrapes): Wash with soap and water; apply Band-Aid on clean, dry wounds.
Mosquito/insect bites with localized itching only: apply cool towel.
First indications of stomachache, headache, nausea, dizziness or “not feeling well”: Put head on desk to rest, go to the bathroom, get a drink, set trash can beside desk, see if lunch helps (if appropriate time in the day), wait a little while to see if it problem improves.
Itchy eyes (with no redness or drainage): Wash face/eyes with cool water/paper towel.
Pierced ears: Clean with cool water.
When a student should stay in class:
For at least the first hour/class period when parents send him/her to school to “try it” unless other instructions have been conveyed to the teacher or nurse by the parent directly. The school nurse will keep teachers informed of expectations such as students with chronic illness.
When someone else thinks he/she “looks” sick or “looks” feverish, but the student feels fine.
When old, healed abrasion (scab) is merely sore or itches.
When there is soreness from an old injury. If no bump, bruise, swelling, redness or if more than 24 hours after injury-no ice should be given--it won’t help!
When a sterile bandage was applied at home. Clinic personnel have been instructed not to reapply sterile dressings.
When a student frequently asks to go to the clinic at the same time of day. (Please discuss the situation with the nurse or counselor to determine the best way to help this student going forward.)
Martin Elementary School is an Allergy Aware School. Some allergies require an action plan to be completed by your child's physician. If your child has an allergy please contact Nurse Russell to obtain appropriate paperwork or follow this link: https://www.celinaisd.com/our-departments/health-services/food-severe-allergies
To attend public school in Texas, your child must have all the recommended immunizations for their age by the 1st day of school. Please plan ahead, doctor's offices' get very busy and sometimes run out of common vaccines right before school. Unfortunately, we are not able to allow students with incomplete immunizations or missing Immunization Exemption Forms to attend school.
For School Immunization Exemption Information visit: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/school/exemptions.aspx
For specific immunization questions please contact Nurse Russell at rebeccarussell@celinaisd.com. More information can be found on the district's Health Services webpage at https://www.celinaisd.com/our-departments/health-services/accination-requirements
Nurse Russell Favorites
Restaurant: Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse
Color: Pink
Store: Hobby Lobby, Amazon
Snack: Popcorn, Candied Almonds, Starburst Unwrapped
Beverage: Cherry Dr. Pepper, Coffee
Hobby: Photography, Crafting, Horseback Riding
Monogram: RRN
Collection: Chicken/Rooster Decor