Doran Health Office
Tel 508-675-8311 Cell 774-762-3477 Fax 508-235-2608
bvanzyl@fallriverschools.org
For forms, information, requirements, COVID guidelines, and more, please visit the FRPS District Nursing Website
Welcome to the John J. Doran School Health Office
My name is Brenda van Zyl. I am so happy to be your school nurse at Doran for the ninth year. A little bit about me...I have been a registered nurse for over 30 years, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Fitchburg State College in 1991 and a Master's Degree in Nursing from The University of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1996. I grew up in Easton, Massachusetts and lived abroad for 16 years in Glasgow, Scotland and Cape Town, South Africa. I have two sons who are in college and two rescue dogs. My hobbies are travel, yoga, and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to another year of getting to know you and your families! Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
School Nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that fosters the growth, development, and educational achievement of students by promoting their health and wellness. School Nursing has evolved over the years to include complex medical, social and behavioral needs requiring an expertise level of care and collaboration. The Fall River Public School Nurses are registered nurses who must complete the certification requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The goal of the Fall River Public School Nurses is for every student to be healthy, safe and ready to learn.
Please call me for any questions or concerns but specifically for the following reasons:
New or change in medications
New health concern or diagnosis
Hospitalization, serious injury or illness
Any health condition or injury that may need accommodations in school or treatment by the school nurse
Diagnosis of a contagious disease such as COVID, flu, chicken pox, whooping cough (pertussis), etc.
Major life events or issues that may impact your child in school
Need for health insurance or a primary care provider
Please remember to share copies of your child's recent physicals and immunizations in order to keep their health file up to date. Physical Exams are required every 3-4 years, and in grades K, 1, 4 and 7th. If your child participates in school sports, a physical is required yearly. Please refer to the district nursing website (above) for more details about immunization requirements.
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When to wash your hands:
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
Five steps for handwashing recommended by the CDC:
Wet your hands with clean running water
Apply soap. Lather your hands and rub palms, back of hands, between your fingers and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. (Hum/sing the 'ABC' song or 'Happy Birthday' song from beginning to end twice)
Rinse your hands under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer will not get rid of all germs however, so always try to follow up with soap and water when available.
