Whereas, The academic achievement of all students is enhanced when their basic needs are met. When they have had proper nutrition, plenty of sleep, appropriate clothing, and adequate housing; and

Whereas, Health and student success are interrelated. Students must be healthy to learn; and

Whereas, Research has shown that school districts with adequate school nursing coverage have a lower rate of absenteeism and higher test scores; and

Whereas, We are witnessing an increasing number of students with chronic health issues, such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and life threatening allergies in our public schools. A professional registered nurse provides valuable services to students by recognizing health problems and providing guidance for healthful living; and

Whereas, A school nurse may be the primary health care provider for many students who lack health care coverage; and

Whereas, Teachers, secretaries, and paraprofessionals are being asked to provide both routine and emergency care to students, including those students that are medically fragile; and

Whereas, These individuals often receive minimal training in such skills as medication administration and first aid with no continuing education requirement and no proof of competency; and

Whereas, The Nurse Practice Act of Michigan allows only licensed, professional nurses to assess the condition of those with medical needs; and

Whereas, Students with chronic medical conditions that require daily medication should not have to rely on an untrained adult to provide, oversee and administer those medications; and

Whereas, Secretaries and other school staff often administer medications to students, thereby putting themselves and possibly a student in jeopardy. And, as school staff have a broad range of responsibilities their time is best spent attending to the needs of the job for which they were hired and trained. NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED: AFT Michigan must work toward securing the funding to have a school nurse available to all students attending Michigan schools, and BE IT FINALLY

RESOLVED: AFT Michigan will work to reach the goal established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in "Healthy People 2010" - the nurse to student ratio shall be no more than 1:750.