School Nurse

A Message from the School Nurse

As the school year comes to a close, I want to announce my retirement and express my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of serving as the Acalanes School Nurse for the past 21 years. It has been an honor to support the health and well-being of our students, families, staff, and administrators—and to play a role in fostering a school community grounded in strong values, high expectations, and genuine care.

When I began my nursing career in maternal-infant health, I never imagined I’d one day be caring for teenagers who were once my patients as newborns. Joining the district in 2000 marked the beginning of a deeply rewarding chapter—one filled with meaningful connections, professional growth, and the joy of collaboration with an outstanding team.

As I step into a new chapter focused on Health Coaching, Plant-Based Nutrition, and blogging, my commitment to this community remains strong. I look forward to continuing to promote wellness and staying connected with the Acalanes community in new and exciting ways for many years to come.

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Happy Sunday! Although the weekend is almost done, there is still time to encourage your students to get organized for finals week. Instead of asking them if they’re ready, studying enough, prepared, etc., offer to sit down with them and help them create a timeline for the next two weeks (last week of classes and finals week). It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the importance of building in self-care and using pacing as a strategy for staying balanced.
 
Graduation Gift Idea: A first aid kit for college. Get creative about what you put in it, including those little messages that you used to put in your kids’ lunch boxes…
Need ideas? Ask me!

Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need. You can access the medical forms page on my website HERE.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pm

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

School gets even busier over this last month, and many students feel overwhelmed and also get ill. You can support your students’ health and well-being by modeling healthy habits. Another helpful strategy (though not intuitive in our fast-paced culture) is to assist them in scheduling rest breaks to pace themselves. This will help them practice being grounded and help prevent overwhelm. It’s like helping them “put their seatbelts on” – strapping in to stay safe.
 
But also think about what happens when they take “their seatbelts off”. When students finish AP tests and finals, when the weekend comes, and when they finish school and graduate, they often rush to “take their seatbelts off”. Please remember that parents are the #1 influence on their kids’ decisions to (OR NOT TO) engage in risky behavior. So consider the opportunity you have to connect with you students about:

• Boundaries, family values, and rules and expectations about alcohol and other risky behaviors.
• Ways to say “NO” to negative peer pressure, including underage drinking.
• Reminders about rules of the road – always wearing a seatbelt, obeying the speed limits, and never driving drunk or impaired or getting in the vehicle with someone who has been drinking, or who has used another impairing substance, or does not have a legal license to drive other passengers.
• Knowing a way out of a sticky situation and emphasizing that safety is most important. (We often talk about how it isn’t the first bad decision that is the problem, it’s the second one.)

Parents, please remember to talk with your teens about making calculated, mindful decisions at the end of the year, graduation, and beyond. Along with educators, community leaders, and other trusted adults, we are making strides to eliminate underage drinking and make our roads safer. Let’s keep up the great work as we celebrate the moments that matter over the next few months! responsibility.org

Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need. You can access the medical forms page on my website HERE.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pm

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

School gets even busier over this last month, and many students feel overwhelmed and also get ill. You can support your students’ health and well-being by modeling healthy habits. Another helpful strategy (though not intuitive in our fast-paced culture) is to assist them in scheduling rest breaks to pace themselves. This will help them practice being grounded and help prevent overwhelm.
 
Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need. You can access the medical forms page on my website HERE.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pm

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

School gets even busier over this last month, and many students feel overwhelmed and also get ill. You can support your students’ health and well-being by modeling healthy habits. Another helpful strategy (though not intuitive in our fast-paced culture) is to assist them in scheduling rest breaks to pace themselves. This will help them practice being grounded and help prevent overwhelm.
 
My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pm
 
Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need. You can access the medical forms page on my website HERE.

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Does your student have allergies? We can’t dispense allergy medication at school unless you have medication administration set up for your student. You’ll need THIS FORM signed by a doctor and parent (even for OTC meds), and you need to bring the medication to our office. 
 
I’m always talking about nutrition and how important healthy food is. I came across this article on The Psychological Nutrients Kids Need to Thrive and thought it was a valuable read.
 
Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need. You can access the medical forms page on my website HERE.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pm

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Does your student have allergies? We can’t dispense allergy medication at School unless you have medication administration set up for your student.  You’ll need THIS FORM signed by doctor and parent (even for OTC meds), and you need to bring the medication to our office. 
 
Calling all teens ages 11–22 with food allergies! Register for FARE’s Teen Talk. In the spirit of April Fools, this month’s theme is Food Allergy LOL. We will discuss all things awkward, annoying, and embarrassing about food allergies. Fun and laughter are guaranteed!
 
“Teen talks provide comfort and make life experiences less scary. I like hearing other people’s stories and how they deal with their food allergies.
—Teen Talk Participant”
 
 We are in the “home stretch” and have less than 2 months of school left (what???). No worries, there is still time to support your student with healthy habits so they can finish up the semester with good health AND good grades.
It always helps to ground ourselves in the “pillars” of optimal health”:

• Sleep
  • 8-10 hours of quality sleep
  • TIP: keep digital devices out of bedroom or at least away from bed
• Nutrition
  • FIBER: include AS MANY whole foods high in fiber as possible
  • TIP: Instead of processed foods, look for health alternative choices
• Physical Activity
  • Encourage your student to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days per week
  • TIP: Go on walks together
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and substance use
  • Talk to your students about strategies to avoid
  • TIP: Model healthy behavior
• Stress Management
  • Find something fun away from the “work” of being productive
  • TIP: Try a new “shared” experience like doing a craft together, pulling out a board game, or having a “joke-sharing break”
• Social Connection
  • Family dinner (or some regular time where your household members gather, ideally to eat together)
  • TIP: Even silent time together can foster connection (personal share: when my kids were teens, I’d “drag” them out for a walk. Sometimes they’d talk and sometimes not. But we were spending time together and I was there if they needed me).

I’d love to hear about your experiences–please let me know! 

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pm

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Welcome back from spring break! I hope you and your family had fun and got rested and rejuvenated. We are in the “home stretch” and have less than 2 months of school left (what???). No worries, there is still time to support your student with healthy habits so they can finish up the semester with good health AND good grades. It always helps to ground ourselves in the “pillars” of optimal health”:

• Sleep
  • 8-10 hours of quality sleep
  • TIP: keep digital devices out of bedroom or at least away from bed
• Nutrition
  • FIBER: include AS MANY whole foods high in fiber as possible
  • TIP: Instead of processed foods, look for health alternative choices
• Physical Activity
  • Encourage your student to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days per week
  • TIP: Go on walks together
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and substance use
  • Talk to your students about strategies to avoid
  • TIP: Model healthy behavior
• Stress Management
  • Find something fun away from the “work” of being productive
  • TIP: Try a new “shared” experience like doing a craft together, pulling out a board game, or having a “joke-sharing break”
• Social Connection
  • Family dinner (or some regular time where your household members gather, ideally to eat together)
  • TIP: Even silent time together can foster connection (personal share: when my kids were teens, I’d “drag” them out for a walk. Sometimes they’d talk and sometimes not. But we were spending time together and I was there if they needed me).

 My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pm

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Nourishing Our Students for Great Health and Academic Success
Give your kids the breakfast of champions! Oatmeal + berries, avocado toast, a green protein smoothie and other healthy choices will set them up for success. Key strategies include getting their input, keeping choices available, and helping them stay organized so they have enough time for breakfast (or remember to take it with them on the way out!).
 
Last week I shared this Irish white bean and cabbage Soup for St. Patrick’s Day. This week I want to add another “green”— this split pea soup. It’s easy to make, nutritious and cheap. It’s vegan but you might not miss the meat (did you know that smoked paprika is an excellent substitute for ham?). In regards to global health, consider that the food choices we make have a big impact. Plant-based sources of protein use a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions that animal agriculture does. Consider increasing your family’s intake of beans and legumes!

Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pmAlways Your School Nurse,

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website

Nourishing Our Students (and our planet!)
Protein is a popular topic in Health and Nutrition dialogue. My bias is admittedly in the plant-based camp, so I focus on plant sources of protein, especially legumes. I love this chocolate smoothie recipe (contains nuts)–don’t tell your kids the secret ingredient!
 
In regard to global health, consider that the food choices we make have a big impact.  Plant-based sources of protein use a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions that animal agriculture does. Consider increasing your family’s intake of beans and legumes! Making this Irish white bean and cabbage Soup for St. Patrick’s Day is a great way to nourish your family with these nutritious and yummy ingredients.

Please reach out to me for any support your students or family might need.

My office hours are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some* Thursdays
Tuesdays & Thursdays:  8am – 3:50pm
Wednesdays:  7:30am – 3:20pmAlways Your School Nurse,

Dvora Citron, RN, MS
dcitron@auhsdschools.org, 925-280-2970 x7128
IG: acalanesschoolnurse, ​School Nurse Website