Fast away the school year passes … and soon, summer school will be starting, with its own unique set of challenges for students, families, educators, and healthcare workers.
Get Ready to Roll
Be ready to fully support students during summer school by ensuring continuity of care, addressing any new concerns that may arise, and providing access to needed resources for ongoing learning, health, and well-being.
Make It a Team Effort
Collaborate with other teachers and other school staff, as well as parents and guardians, to meet the individual needs of every summer school student.
• Keep two-way communication lines open. Establish clear channels to share information and updates as students transition into summer school.
• Review student health records. Are there any issues that may require attention during the summer? Identify potential concerns early on to prevent them from escalating. From here, you can work as a team to develop individualized student summer health plans and incorporate relevant health education into summer curriculum.
Put Your Students First
Promote healthy habits and create a safe, supportive, inclusive summer school environment.
For all students, this includes:
• Emphasizing the importance of adequate nutrition, hydration, rest, and exercise.
• Addressing mental health concerns. Summer school can be stressful, so be vigilant in spotting any signs of stress, anxiety, or related issues.
• Ensuring that every student can access school, healthy food, and healthcare services. Turn to community services and referrals as needed.
Also, consider the special needs of:
• Students with disabilities. Be sure they have appropriate accommodations and support.
• Students from underserved areas, who may face additional hurdles.
• Multilingual and English language learners. Provide culturally responsive learning opportunities.
Keep Your Own Skills Sharp
Don’t overlook your own professional growth and development this summer.
• Stay up to date. Keep abreast of the latest research, methods, and best practices in school-based healthcare. Engage in professional development activities to build your knowledge and skillset.
• Network. Connect with other professionals on and off line to share ideas and resources.
Professional organizations are a great place to start – and benefit from learning and networking opportunities.
• Organizations for counselors include the American School Counselor Association.
• Nurses can turn to organizations like the National Association of School Nurses.
• LinkedIn and other social media also can provide a wealth of information. Be sure to engage, participate in discussions, and contribute helpful material. On a related note, summer is a good time to refresh your online presence, bringing it up to date and ensuring that all content pertinent to you is crisp and professional.
Reach and Exceed Your Goals
Will this be the summer you take your school-based healthcare career to the next level? Or are you seeking additional insights to be the best you can be in your current role?
Whatever your current goals look like, turn to Covelo Group to make them reality. We specialize in working with healthcare professionals, therapists, and teachers as they find the right professional fit – and make a true difference in the lives of their students.
