News 5

By Blake Thompson

At the annual “Live for Life” school nurse convention in New Brunswick, N.J., urban nurses outnumber rural nurses about 8 to 1. After 10 years of waiting, however, FHS’s own nurse Margie Cook (formerly Piersall) will get the opportunity to collaborate with other school nurses from around the country at a week-long seminar at Rutgers University, even though it took longer than she had expected to get there.
“It was kind of distressing, because all of the nurses that have attended were from urban areas,” said Cook. “They just don’t seem to realize that small towns have substance abuse problems too.”
After being recommended for the program by former principal Cathy McDevitt and CARE, Cook will get a chance to participate in the program from July 10-17.
“I just want to be there for people,” said Piersall. “Those that need help should get help, including students as well as staff.”
After being chosen by the National Association of School Nurses, approximately 40 school nurses from around the country will come together to discuss the increasing problem of alcohol and drug abuse among students in the United States. For seven days, Piersall will learn more about organizing support groups and campaigning against drug and alcohol abuse, and how to better address the subject of substance abuse with students.
“I’ll just be happy to see how other nurses attack this problem,” said Cook. “Maybe I’ll be able to get some ideas as well.”
Vice-principal Peter Fusaro will also attend the program. Along with Piersall , he two will learn how to attack the problem of student substance abuse at FHS.
“I plan to sit down this summer with nurse Cook and the CARE group,” said Fusaro, “We’ll put something together to help the students.”
Piersall said the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse is her reason for attending this program, but added that the students need to take part in prevention also.
“This program is going to help me as far educating the students (about substance abuse),” said Cook. “But the rest is up to them.”

Senior Aaron Ober swinging on vines in Tortuguero National Park during the Biomes and Barrios field trip.