Massachusetts School Nurse Organization, MSNO Legislative Tool Kit: Legislator Invitation

Massachusetts School Nurse
Organization, Inc. logo

Legislator Invitation

January 2008

The Honorable______________________
State House, Room ___
Boston, Massachusetts 02133

Dear _____ :

January 28 – February 1, 2008 is Massachusetts School Nurse Recognition Week. The 2nd annual School Nurse and Legislator Visit Days are planned for the week of January 28, 2008. Last year’s visits resulted in positive feedback from the legislators, local press and school nurses of the thirty districts who participated in the event. As a school nurse in your district, I invite you to visit with me at the ________________ School in the town of ______________. It will be my pleasure and honor to show you what school nurses do and why our roles are vital for the health, safety and learning of Massachusetts students.

Did you know Massachusetts students collectively interacted with their school nurses over 6 million times last year? We see over 90% of the students one or more times each school year and almost 60% of the students for five or more health visits each year. There are 18-20% of students in the Commonwealth that have a diagnosed health condition that requires nursing assistance in school. These numbers are only a glimpse into the large proportion of health care delivery that falls on school nurses that is not accounted for in most statistics about health care costs and delivery. Our practice is a key component to providing the best opportunity for learning. By coming out to the district, you will witness the true nature of school nursing in the 21st century and have a wonderful opportunity to discuss the health and safety issues we encounter.

In coordination with Massachusetts School Nurse Recognition Week, and the accompanying media coverage of individual visits, we are also releasing a first of its kind study on Massachusetts School Nursing and plans for a sustainable comprehensive system for school nursing care.

Kindly let us know of your interest and availability illustrating your support of school nurses and the students we serve. We are building media coverage and are eager to include your participation in our local press release. Please select a date during the week of January 28, 2008 and plan for a one to one and a half hour block of time when it is convenient for you to visit the school. I will make arrangements to make your visit valuable. Please contact me by January 22, 2008 to confirm your attendance. If there is anything more that you need, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your ongoing support of school nurses, and on behalf of the children of Massachusetts, I hope that you will consider making school nursing services one of your top legislative priorities!

Best regards,

(Name/credentials)
(Title)
(Name of School)
(Address of School)
(Phone number and email address)

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