From checking for lice, providing ice packs, to ensuring medications are taken properly when scheduled, school nurses are key to keeping kids safe on campuses. And their efforts haven't gone unnoticed.

At the Tiyan Headquarters Wednesday, some lawmakers of the 36th Guam Legislature on Wednesday presented a resolution to school nurses of the Guam Department of Education-- commending our island's public school nurses for their continuous hard work. As restrictions have been lifted on the island, a luncheon was also held for them as GDOE has not been able to host a celebration since 2019, due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

Julietta Quinene, the Community Health and Nursing Services Administrator for GDOE, highlighted that the school nurses weren't afraid two years ago to step out of their school zones and onto the frontlines of the invisible war-- battling COVID.

"We got that call from the governor, none of us hesitated, we were all proud to be up, get out for testing, and we're ready to help our community, and today we are here to celebrate that," she said.

Reflecting on his nearly 10 years at the helm of the island's largest school system, GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez celebrated this honorous day with school nurses for the last time, as he intends to step down on July 15. During his remarks, he thanked them for their services one last time before his almost decade-long tenure comes to an end.

"We've gone through a very challenging time in the last couple of years, even when I saw you in 2019, and thank you for your work," he said. "Today, I just have to say I don't think thank you is enough. You guys have been a part of this public health effort to protect our island, to help us respond, and help us recover and there is nothing that we can do or say that would recognize the depth of your contribution."

National School Nurse Day is celebrated between May 6-12. It was established to commend school nurses as they work to ensure students' well-being, safety, and academic ability while on campuses. This year's theme is "School Nurses: Bridging Healthcare and Education."

Meanwhile, Bernabe Mutuc also known as Nurse Jr. at John F, Kennedy High School in Tamuning listed the treasured parts of the job.

"My favorite part of the job is interacting with students, and knowing their health and what they're going through each day sometimes students come to my office, and what they go through, may affect their studies sometimes it also affects how they approach life," he said. "So we take them injured and take care of them psychologically."

Bernabe, who has been a school nurse since 2013 noted that containing COVID and contact tracing are the top challenging duties. However, despite how challenging the job can get for him, he continues to love what he does.

"I am already excited to come to my work, especially since you have good support staff and also faculty at my school, especially the admin is good at helping me," he said.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero proclaimed May 2022 as Nurses Month on Friday.