Three Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 nurses as well as the District itself were recently recognized by the McHenry County Department of Health for
their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lisa Tate, District 200 director of nursing, as well as Northwood Middle School Nurse Nadine Grismer and Woodstock High School Nurse Connie Happ were presented Feb.10 with the Lina Rogers Award for their work in forming a task force to allow students’ safe return to school following their temporary closure
The task force's work was published in the National Association of School Nurses Journal and presented at the McHenry County School Health Symposium held at Northwestern Medicine-Huntley.
“We’re proud of the tremendous work our nursing staff performed during very challenging times and that they were able to share their wisdom and experience with other health professionals to get children back into schools where they learn best,” District 200 Superintendent Mike Moan said.
The award is named for Lina Rogers, the nation’s first school nurse who was hired in New York City in 1902 to help reduce the extensive absenteeism in New York City public schools.
Rogers spent her career advocating the importance of disease prevention by promoting nutrition, exercise, health screenings among other endeavors.
“McHenry County Department of Health values this partnership with local and neighboring school health professionals and recognizes school health professionals that exemplify Lina Rogers’ partnership with public health in providing healthier schools and communities,” county health officials said.
Moan also accepted the MCDH Spirit of Public Health Award on behalf of District 200 for its efforts in setting up vaccination clinics for school and daycare employees around McHenry County in February and March of 2001.Grismer was a leader in those efforts along with other District 200 nurses and staff.
Between the two clinics at Woodstock North and Huntley high schools, more than 5,600 school and daycare employees received their initial two-dose vaccines.
