Join us to connect and chat with school nurses and health office staff from across the state to share ideas, address challenges, gather updates, and receive support. Huddles are hosted every month by ADE's RN School Health Consultant.  Meetings have a relaxed structure where participants are encouraged to come and go as they please. 

Date: Third Wednesday of every month

Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m. (MST)         

Registration: HUDDLE Registration

Have a topic you would like to be addressed in an upcoming HUDDLE? Email Us!

The purpose of the Arizona School Nurse Leadership Committee is to establish a regular opportunity for school nurses serving in leadership roles within school districts to meet, share ideas and questions, and work collaboratively on school nursing practice to enhance school nursing in Arizona. It is expected that members of the committee will assist with selecting topics of interest for scheduled meetings and support activities the committee elects to address through acceptance of assignments to further the goals of the committee. 

Date: Last Monday of every Month       Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm (MST)

We are currently recruiting those interested in joining this committee.                     Sign up HERE!

The purpose of the Arizona School Nurse Professional Development Committee is to establish a regular opportunity for school nurses to meet, discuss, and help plan professional development events such as webinars, conferences, and other activities to support the education needs of school nurses and health staff in school health offices throughout Arizona. It is expected that members of the committee will assist with selecting topics of interest for scheduled events and suggest and/or help secure speakers for topics identified.

Date: First Tuesday of every month     Time: 3:30pm- 4:30pm (MST)

We are currently recruiting those interested in joining this committee.                     Sign up HERE!                                                                                                                   

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

 The mission of ADE’s Arizona Homeless Education Program is to ensure positive comparable academic outcomes for children and youth experiencing homelessness through the implementation of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Rita Rodriguez, State Homeless Education Program Coordinator, presented " Raise Your Hand Lift Their Future! The Educational Rights of Homeless Children and Youth. This presentation highlights how School Nurses and McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons can team together to serve students experiencing homelessness in Arizona.   (RECORDING) (SLIDES)                               

American Lung Association: Air Quality & Protecting Student Health

The American Lung Association hosted a webinar on January 29th, 2025, to learn and discuss air quality and lung health. This webinar focused on understanding poor air quality, how it can impact lung health, especially students’ lung health, and ways to stay protected on days when air quality is poor.

Objectives of the webinar:

1. Understand what causes air pollution and why it’s harmful to children
2. Learn about what can be done to protect students’ lungs on poor air quality days
3. Gain resources to use at school   

(RECORDING)                                                                                      

Emergency Preparedness: Practical Applications for School Nurses

The Arizona School Nurse Access Program at the Arizona Department of Education hosted a discussion on Emergency Operations Plans (EOP). Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 15-341(A)(31) requires that each school site have an emergency operations plan that meets the minimum state requirements. In addition, modifications to ARS 15-341 (A) (31) will go into law on October 31st, 2023, and state emergency response plans must address how the school and emergency responders will communicate with and provide assistance to students with disabilities. This webinar informed attendees of the minimum requirements that go into basic and inclusive planning and highlighted the school nurse's role in responding.                               

 (RECORDING) (SLIDES)

Scope of Practice, Standards, and Delegation

School nursing is a unique specialty in the nursing profession, one that is often quite foreign to nurses when they enter this field of practice with only acute care experience. This webinar provided experienced school nurses with a refresher about the scope of practice and standards of nursing practice as they relate to our state nursing practice laws and introduced new nurses to this important school nursing practice information. 

Presentation Outcomes:

1. List at least two unique differences between a nurse's scope of practice and standards of practice
2. Discuss the state scope of practice for nurses and two ways they apply to the school nurse.
3. State two components of the school nurse’s standard of practice and their application.
4. Understand the role of nurse delegation to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) staff while maintaining the delivery of safe student care in the school setting.
5. Recognize the five Delegation Principles as the right task, the right circumstance, the right person, the right direction and communication, and the right supervision and evaluation.
6. List the best practice steps for nurses to use to ensure UAPs are prepared and able to complete delegated activities in the school setting.

(RECORDING) (SLIDES) passcode: d7!#YAw*

The Arizona Department of Education hosted a webinar: Implementing SB 1654: How Schools Can Successfully Meet the Law's Requirements and Establish Seizure Action Plans at Their School. During this session, participants received information about the law and details for complying with the law. In addition, participants were informed about training requirements and participated in a Q&A. The recording and slides are now available.

(RECORDING) (SLIDES) passcode: TbhB!q3x

Morgan Scadden, Sensory Screening Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), presented on the Sensory Screening Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services and the changes being made to the ADHS Sensory Screener Training. The recording and slides are now available. 

(RECORDING) (SLIDES) passcode: pHWJ2gy^

View the recording and slides below to see how we celebrated the commitment school nurses make every day. (RECORDING 2024) (SLIDES 2024) (RECORDING 2025) (SLIDES 2025)