Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/507087
April/May 2015 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 4 FIRST-CLASS MEMBERS Munson Earns Special Merit Vernon Middle School Biology teacher and Iowa State Education Association member Carolyn Munson was presented with the Alan B. Adams Special Merit Award during the Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair in March. The award recognizes teachers who have demonstrated perseverance and determination in the pursuit of excellence in science teaching on behalf of students. Munson teaches in the Marion Independent School District and has been an ISEA delegate. Hicklin Named School Nurse of the Year The Iowa School Nurse Organization named West Des Moines Community School District's Melanie Hicklin 2015 School Nurse of the Year at the ISO Conference in April. Associate Principal Erika Cook called Hicklin a "pillar of Valley High School" in her nomination. Hicklin is licensed as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, National Certification Family Nurse Practitioner, Special Education Nurse (Iowa Department of Public Health) and a Nationally Certified School Nurse. She is an active member of many professional nursing and education organizations including NASN/ISNO. She has been involved in leadership capacities, curriculum development, fundraisers, legislative work, and mentoring for school nursing with ISNO/NASN, the West Des Moines Education Association and the Iowa Department of Education. National Restaurant Association Recognizes Smith Burlington High School Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and Iowa State Education Association member Mary Smith was named ProStart Educator of Excellence by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. ProStart is a two-year educational program supported by the NRAEF through state association partnerships. It's aimed at preparing students for careers in the culinary arts. The curriculum requires students to pass two national tests and work 400 hours in food service. "She definitely has gone above and beyond to engage her students," Foundation Director May Schaben told the Burlington Hawkeye. Members Push EpiPen Legislation Nurses and Iowa State Education Association members Laura Wheeler and Melanie Hicklin were instrumental in pushing legislation that will allow wider use of EpiPens in public schools. Gov. Terry Branstad signed Senate File 462 on April 21. The bill allows school nurses and qualified personnel to administer Epinephrine injections to students who need them because of severe allergic reactions. State law used to require that only a physician could administer such a shot. Carolyn Munson Mary Smith KINDERGARDEN Iowa, like the majority of states, only requires a half-day of kindergarten. States requiring at least some kindergarten is the second most common option. Fewer than a quarter of states require school districts to offer a full day of kindergarten. Quick STAT Source: National Center for Education Statistics STATE KINDERGARDEN REQUIREMENTS Full-day DISTRICTS MUST OFFER Half-day No requirement Kindergarden attendance required MA RI CT NJ DE MD DC First Class Members showcases the good works of Iowa State Education Association members from across Iowa. Secure a grant? Chosen to advise the governor? Organize a backpack drive? There are countless ways our members make their students, their schools and their profession stronger. Share their story at communications@isea.org Letters Policy The Iowa State Education Association Communique welcomes letters to the editor from ISEA members. Letters should be no longer than 200 words. Each letter submitted for publication must include the writer's telephone number for confirmation purposes. Opinions must be clearly identified as belonging to the letter-writer. We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity and style. To submit a letter, mail it to ISEA Communique, 777 Third Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 or email it to ISEAletters@isea.org. Nurse and ISEA member Laura Wheeler (front left) smiles as fellow nurse and ISEA member Melanie Hicklin shakes Gov. Terry Branstad's hand during a bill signing in the governor's formal office. Branstad had just signed Senate File 462 which deals with access to EpiPens.