Board of Education Recognizes Extraordinary Efforts of School Nurses Through Pandemic
The Washington Township Board of Education took time on February 23rd to recognize the District's 12 school nurses for their extraordinary efforts in ensuring the health, well-being and safety of the students and staff in their buildings throughout the ongoing pandemic.
The school nurses have worked tirelessly and closely with administrators to establish and implement COVID protocols, safety measures, communications and contact tracing throughout the District. They have individually, and in collaboration, selflessly shared their collective wealth of knowledge and invaluable input under challenging and ever-changing circumstances.
“We are indebted to them for their unwavering professionalism and their genuine concern for, and attention to, mitigating the effects of the virus and controlling its spread so that the educational process and hybrid learning could continue for the benefit of our community,” Board President Julie Kozempel said.
“Folks in the community would have no idea of the amount of work that our nurses have been engaged in as it relates to this pandemic, and the contact tracing that it is required in collaboration with the Gloucester County Department of Health,” Superintendent of Schools Joe Bollendorf said. “The amount of time, hours and just the perseverance that these nurses showed in caring for our kids, for our staff members and for our community is boundless. I appreciate this recognition from the Board. These nurses have just gone above and beyond.”
“It is an absolute privilege to recognize our nurses,” said Assistant Superintendent Annette Miller who directly supervises their efforts. “Our nurses have wrapped their arms around us through this storm. Their support has been unwavering. They have kept us safe and have taken on these additional duties without complaint. We are hopeful that there is a break in the clouds, but I know we are not there yet. We are extremely grateful that we have all of them by our sides. I am so proud of their tireless work.”
As a token of appreciation, the Washington Township Education Foundation presented each school nurse with a gift card.
The school nurses servicing the students and staff of the Washington Township Public Schools include: Melissa Wicken (Bells Elementary), Barrie Wiedner (Birches Elementary), Tina Guerra (Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center), Anne-Marie Gilbert (Hurffville Elementary), Cindy Johnson (Thomas Jefferson Elementary), Debbie Sernicola (Wedgwood Elementary), Jennifer Simpson (Whitman Elementary), Barbara Keane (Bunker Hill Middle School), Rosemary Coleman (Chestnut Ridge Middle School), Michelina Tenuto (Orchard Valley Middle School), Terry Cotton (Washington Township High School -9/10 wing), Kathleen Luckiewicz (Washington Township High School 11/12 wing).