An update on WAPS school health services

Dear WAPS families,

As we prepare for the new school year, we want to share an important update about school health services. Like many school districts, Winona Area Public Schools has been impacted by a shortage of nurses available to work in school settings. This year, we will partner with Avel eCare to provide virtual school nursing services for our students.

While the process may look a little different, our commitment to caring for your child has not changed. When a student has an illness, injury or other health concern during the school day, a school staff member can connect with an experienced registered nurse through secure two-way video and audio technology. The eCare nurse can assess the student, provide guidance to school staff and help determine next steps. The service can also support students with ongoing health needs such as diabetes, asthma and seizure care.

If additional care or follow-up is needed, the eCare registered nurse will communicate directly with families. Our goal remains the same: to make sure students receive the care and support they need so they can be healthy, safe and ready to learn.

For additional information, please see this video from Avel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_TNwEcbMRs

Student medication drop-off

We also want families to be aware of an important change regarding medications. Student medications cannot be dropped off at school before Tuesday, Sept. 1, the first day of school. Families who need to provide medication for their child should plan to bring it to school beginning Sept. 1. Our health secretaries and other school staff members need to go through training with Avel before we can handle and dispense student medication. 

Opt-out form

Families who do not want their child to receive virtual school nursing services through Avel eCare may complete the Virtual School Nurse Opt-Out Form and return it to their child’s school.

We want to be clear that this change is not the result of a budget reduction. We made every effort to hire a school nurse who could be available on-site for our students and staff, but we were unable to fill the position. This is a staffing challenge many school districts across the country are experiencing.

We are grateful to have found a strong partner in Avel eCare, which already provides virtual school nursing services to several school districts in Minnesota. Through this partnership, our students will continue to have access to experienced registered nurses and the health support they need throughout the school day.

Please reach out if there are any additional questions or concerns you have. Thank you for your partnership and for trusting us to care for your children.

Sincerely,

Brad Berzinski
Superintendent

Wendy Harward
Director of Special Education