The Colonial School District Nurses hosted the DSNA Fall Conference that took place on November 3rd in Dover at the Sheraton. This is an annual event to provide the school nurses with an evening of fellowship, recognition, and continuing education. Over 130 nurses from all three counties attended the event.
The evening begun with a DSNA business meeting. Also, at this time there were recognitions. First, the anual Friends of School Nursing awards were given to two individuals who have partnered with Delaware school nurses and helped to support health care initiatives for students. Recipients were Kristin Bennett, RN, MSN, Public Health Nursing Director and Suzanne Hamel, Department of Education, Eschool Support (state-wide health care data base).
Two DSNA members Debbie Englehart, Brandywine Springs School in the Red Clay School District and Cristina Kraiter, Delaware College Preparatory Academy are newly certified in school nursing. Debbie Englehart won a DSNA drawing that will pay for the national certification exam.
The continuing education presentation was The Impact of Gang Activity and Illicit Drugs on the School Environment. Detective Tim Morris from the Delaware State Police and Detective Melissa Bell from the New Castle County Police Department discussed the impact of gang activity on the school environment. An informative discussion on possible gang presence by way of using color, clothing, professional team insignia and tagging were discussed, as well as gang presence in Delaware.
The second part of the evening was by Kenneth Watson of the Delaware National Guard, working for the Delaware State Police on the illegal use of drugs in the school environment. His discussion covered many of the familiar drugs such as, marijuana and heroin. He also reviewed new street drugs,such as synthetic marijuana, K2 and spice.
Contact information of the speakers:
