School nurses are the heart of every school community — providing care, comfort, and compassion to students, staff, and families alike. This School Nurse Day, we asked principals to share why they love and appreciate the incredible nurses in their schools. Their words are a powerful reminder of the lasting impact school nurses make each and every day. Today, we celebrate you — the heroes who bring healing and hope to every hallway.
"Nurse England is extremely responsive and goes above and beyond for all students as well as community members. She is often split between two schools to ensure that adequate coverage is available. She is a great asset to our school no matter the need big or small she provides customer service at the highest level."
Candace Nixon at Tench Tilghman Elementary & Middle School | School Nurse Lisa England
"Our school nurse not only cares for our students but for the entire staff. She attends to all needs and make each person feel comfortable and 'seen.' She goes beyond addressing all health concerns to caring for our overall wellness. She motivates the staff to be healthy through fun challenges and initiates. Our school nurse of not just part of the FCS team but an essential member that makes us all BETTER. We love and appreciate Mrs. Cruz greatly!"
Patricia Perez at Florida Christian School | School Nurse Eva Cruz
"She gives her all each and everyday. She sees about 70 students a day in the nurses office. She is kind, compassionate, and treats every student as if they were her own. She is flexible and a forward thinker. Always positive and a definite asset to our team."
Tara Peacock at Winston Churchill School | School Nurse Megan Brackin
"Nurse Tate came to us this year after a horrible experience with out previous school nurse. She is totally Outstanding. She is here early everyday, stands up front and greets all the students, takes care of us all and does her duties exceptionally. She has also taken on the charge of buying gifts for all our special days. She is The BEST!"
Michaela Granger at Shadow Oaks Elementary | School Nurse Kayla Tate
"Krystal Little is an extraordinary professional whose impact on students, families, and staff at East Dover Elementary and throughout the Capital School District cannot be overstated. With over a decade of service as a school nurse and currently serving as the Lead Nurse for the district, Krystal redefines what it means to care for the whole child. She seamlessly blends her clinical expertise with compassion, using a trauma-informed approach to support students‚ physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Her ability to deescalate crises, mentor students, and connect families to essential resources has made her a lifeline in the community. Krystal's leadership has advanced equitable access to health services and helped normalize conversations around mental health in schools. She is not only a trusted healthcare provider but also a tireless advocate, confidante, and a foundational force in creating a nurturing, responsive school environment. Quite simply, Krystal Little is awesome because she leads with heart, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to making every child feel safe, seen, and supported."
Nicole Ickes at East Dover Elementary | School Nurse Krystal Little
"Nurse Ury is awesome because she is a part of our school community during and beyond the school day. In addition to being a fantastic school nurse that cares for our students, she works as our Dance Team coach and volunteers for various after-school events such as Battle of the Classes and the proms!"
Adam Brusotti at Manalapan High School | School Nurse Kristie Ury
"Nurse Shaikh is a phenomenal school nurse who is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of our students. Nurse Shaikh is innovative and consistently works to bring new ideas that will benefit our school from a health and safety perspective."
Adam Brusotti at Manalapan High School | School Nurse Shafqat Shaikh
"Nurse Smith is awesome for her unwavering dedication to the Carnegie School community. Nurse Smith takes care of our students with the utmost compassion, as if they were her very own. Her commitment to supporting students goes beyond just medical care; she continually explores new ways to ensure our students are safe, healthy, and supported. In addition to her dedication to our students, Nurse Smith works tirelessly to maintain a well-organized and efficient nurse's office, ensuring all necessary structures are in place for a smooth operation. She collaborates closely with Nurse Goldman on some days, and together, they keep our school running smoothly and in compliance with health standards. We are incredibly grateful for Nurse Smith's hard work, care, and commitment to the well-being of our students and staff."
Shirley Roberson at Carnegie School | School Nurse Iris Smith
"Ms. Duru is an invaluable member of our school community‚ compassionate, dependable, and always there when we need her most. Whether she's caring for a student with a sudden illness, offering a calm presence during stressful moments, or checking in just to make sure someone is okay, she brings empathy and professionalism to everything she does. Her ability to support our students' physical health while also caring for their emotional well-being is truly remarkable. What makes Ms. Duru amazing isn't just her medical knowledge‚ it's the way she makes every student feel seen, safe, and supported. She goes above and beyond every single day, partnering with families, collaborating with staff, and advocating for what's best for our kids. She is a steady, reassuring presence in our building, and her impact reaches far beyond the walls of the nurse's office. We are lucky to have her as part of our team!"
Luis Lima at Coppin Academy High School
"Nurse Christy works super hard everyday to take care of our students and staff. She is always smiling and willing to help. We love her so much and Helen could not function without her."
Crissy Burley at Helen Edwards Early Childhood Center | School Nurse Christy Roberts
"Our School Nurse is amazing due to her kindness and calm. She is also a graduate of the school district. She is warm and welcoming. She offers support snd healthy advice to all school community members. We are extremely grateful for her!"
Paula Bethea at Joyce Kilmer Intermediate School | School Nurse Melodie Flores
"Mrs. Lorie Simos is a new school nurse with CCSD and has already demonstrated a strong commitment to her role. She consistently goes above and beyond by staying beyond her contracted hours to ensure she is aligned with district protocols and procedures. Her warm and compassionate demeanor has helped establish a more welcoming and supportive environment in the health office. Mrs. Simos treats every student interaction‚ no matter how minor‚ with genuine care and attention, fostering a sense of importance and respect. In a short time, she has built meaningful relationships with students and families alike. Mrs. Simos is just who we want representing Gibson to our community. Thank you Lorie, for all you do."
Jill Keith at James Gibson Elementary | School Nurse Lorie Simos
"Cindy Peterson is a true gift to our school community. As a compassionate and loving presence, she brings calm and comfort to every student she serves. Her warm and personable nature makes her approachable to students, staff, and parents alike, while her deep sense of loyalty ensures she is a constant and reliable support in every situation. Cindy's trustworthy care reflects not just her professional excellence but also her deeply rooted, grace-filled faith that shines through in every interaction. We are incredibly blessed to have such a devoted and nurturing nurse caring for our students each day."
Carrie Smith at Rockford Lutheran School | School Nurse Cindy Peterson
"Nurse Daidone is one of the most caring, diligent nurses I have had the pleasure of working with. She puts children first and addresses the whole child when they are in her office. She gets to know them, builds relationships with them, and their families. If they need ice, a hug, a water bottle, change of clothes, she has got that all covered! We are lucky to have her!"
Lorie Beard at Academy Street Elementary School | School Nurse Angela Daidone
"She is kind, student-focused, friendly, helpful, forward-thinking, flexible, and just all-around awesome to students, families, and staff."
Bill Knittle at Rowe Elementary School | School Nurse Lydia Brisson
"Nurse Powell is the utmost nurse professional; she is caring and proficient when ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students. I am grateful to her for her unwavering devotion to our students at Rosemont!"
Dr. Dorie Banks | School Nurse Shakera Powell
"We have two school nurses who have each served our school for more than 20 years. They know all of our students and families, and provide daily tender loving care. The nurse's office is 'home base' for many students -- a place to find a listening ear and caring assistance for so many different needs. We love both of our school nurses and truly hope to celebrate them on this special day and all year through!"
Catherine Butel at Faithful Shepherd Catholic School | School Nurse Carolyn and School Nurse Cheryl
"Our school nurses are the best! They help keep our kids in class learning and have gone above and beyond in training our staff to handle medical emergencies. They also created a 'care closet' for students that need help accessing basic supplies needed to have a healthy life without having to be embarrassed by asking for things like toothepaste."
Matthew Raper at Ivy Academy
"My nurse is awesome for so many reasons! She is a true community nurse! She not only follows up on immunizations and physicals as any nurse would do, but she also does home visits to provide health and hygiene support, support to families to encourage consistent attendance at school, provides packages to families to prevent lice and to address lice when it happens. She serves on our Attendance Committee so that she is sharing who is struggling with major health situations and who is struggling with just getting to school. I cannot say enough about our elementary school nurse! She is outstanding!"
Lauriel McCoy at Deposit Elementary School | School Nurse Kaeli Rutledge
"Ms. Katelyn Carusso is Northwest's amazing school nurse! Katelyn is truly the heart of our Northwest nurse's office, and she does SO much more than just take care of scrapes and sniffles. She makes our students feel safe, loved, and heard every single day. Whether she's bandaging up a knee, listening to a student who needs a safe space, or handling a challenging situation, she approaches everything with genuine kindness, compassion, and professionalism. Katelyn has a naturally caring demeanor, always ready to jump in and assist wherever she's needed. She supports not only our students but our staff as well, meeting everyone's needs with a calm, reassuring presence. She is incredibly friendly, always greeting others with a smile, and is constantly looking on the bright side, even on the toughest days. Her positive attitude is contagious, and her ability to balance care with professionalism makes her an irreplaceable part of our school family. Northwest is beyond lucky to have Katelyn!"
Jennifer Nordall at Northwest Elementary School | School Nurse Katelyn Carusso
Thank you to all the principals who took the time to recognize their school nurses and help make School Nurse Day special!