With the pandemic as a backdrop since the school year began, school nurses have been tasked with tracking COVID versus non-COVID illnesses among students.

Mid-Prairie East Elementary School Nurse Beth Hanselman says identifying the absences in separate categories isn’t always easy, “That has been a really big challenge because COVID symptoms can be the same as many other viruses and common childhood ailments. We’ve strived to overcome the challenge by keeping the lines of communication hot with students, their family and staff. We do have guidelines put out by the Iowa Department of Public Health that help parents determine which symptoms are low-risk and which symptoms are high-risk for COVID and when they should seek consultation with their healthcare providers.”

Hanselman says back in August the district’s nurses worked with administrators to develop a COVID-19 strategy for the school year. She says it’s helped Mid-Prairie offer 100% onsite learning since classes began. She also credits students, parents, teachers, staff, school leaders, and her fellow school nurses for helping mitigate the pandemic.

You can hear more Hanselman in her extended interview during our special Public Safety News Magazines at 1 and 6 p.m. today on KCII.