Period Poverty & Products- Project TWO

Purchasing Period Products

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip:  One of the most common questions asked is "How do I get the funds to purchase needed period products for the students at my school". My answer is DonorsChoose and maybe it can be your answer too?

Period products are an expensive necessity, and period poverty is a real issue many individuals face. This lack of access to affordable menstrual products significantly impacts their health, education, and overall well-being.

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, 53% of the student population at my high school are considered low income students. They also mandate that schools supply period products at no cost to all students...

Get all of the details HERE | Illinois Public Act 102-0340

However, along with that mandate, I did not receive an increase in my yearly budget to help cover the additional expenses for such needed items. So, I rely on the kindness of strangers who donate funds to help me help my students! They helped by donating over $1,000 to purchase period products!  THANK YOU.

DonorsChoose to the rescue!

Lack of necessary menstrual health supplies such as pads, tampons can have significant implications. Not only can these implications can cause health issues such as infections but also social issues such as embarrassment and missed opportunities to attend school and/or work.

I'm so thankful that I'm able to keep a fully stocked grab-n-go table with a variety of period products for my students and I hope you can too. See the products that were donated HERE and other item ideas HERE!

Period Poverty DonorsChoose Project

CHECK OUT A VARIETY OF PERIOD PRODUCTS HERE

https://amzn.to/3RXgGbc

start your very own project HERE!

 Check out these other popular DOASN blog posts & product links.

Random School Nurse Supplies- Project SIX

DonorsChoose Project SIX

FULLY FUNDED PROJECT FOR THE SCHOOL NURSE

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip:  Some public school nurses wonder how they'll come up with money to purchase needed items for their office.  Read on for more information on expanding your school nurse budget by using DonorsChoose projects for needed office items!

To date, I've received over $3000 in funding to purchase items for my public school nurse office & I hope you can too!

You can read all about the projects I've completed HERE, then start your very own project HERE!

I found DonorsChoose to be:

1. Easy!  The process if very user friendly. Step-by-step directions provided.
2. Convenient! They collect the donated money and order the items I select (usually from Amazon Business) then the items are shipped directly to my school!

I advertise my projects on my personal Facebook page and ask friends and families to share with others. I have received donations from friends, families, businesses, BOE members, and even strangers who are looking to support public schools!

PURCHASED ITEMS

With this project was almost $400 worth of items. With the donations received, I was able to purchase some wanted items and some needed items! The Shark air purifiers were needs whereas the log book & motivational canvas print were wants. We appreciate each and every item we received!  The full list of items is posted below with Amazon links too!  Have fun taking a look.

start your very own project HERE

Random Supplies

1. Shark Air Purifier   https://amzn.to/3xhSdnu
2. Extra Air Purifier Filter   https://amzn.to/3lzZfRy
3. Wall Canvas Quote   https://amzn.to/3HUxnzh
4. Slimline Otoscope   https://amzn.to/3XphSFg
5. Light & Sound Posters   https://amzn.to/3xfrtnl
6. Nurse's Office Visitor Log Book  https://amzn.to/3xhzYOM
7. Nurse Badge Buddy  https://amzn.to/3KajXlg
8. Magnetic Name Badge Holders   https://amzn.to/3YJt9Bn (ended up being too big, but I still used the magnets)
9. Badge Snap  https://amzn.to/3IhVeKx  (ended up using tape instead)

start your very own DonorsChoose project HERE

start your very own project HERE

 

School Nurses Read...

School Nurses Read: Making Classroom Connections

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FREE BOOKMARK LINK

Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip:  Many times school nurses are invited to be a guest speaker for the elementary grades. Use this time to teach students more about visiting the nurse's office by reading them a book! Recommendations bee-low (see what I did there!?)

What book should the school nurse read?

As school nurses, we’re always looking for creative ways to connect with students and reinforce healthy habits. One of the most fun and effective ways to do that is by reading books to elementary students, turning those storytimes into a chance to teach important health lessons. More than once, school nurses have asked for book recommendations to share with their students, and time and again, our community has stepped up with some amazing ideas.

Why Reading Matters for School Nurses

Reading to students doesn’t just help educate them—it builds rapport, makes you a familiar face, and gives kids a positive association with the nurse’s office. Whether it’s a school nurse-specific book or a health education story, incorporating a fun health lesson can be a game-changer. You can go all out with glitter for a handwashing lesson, hand out tooth necklaces during a dental hygiene talk, or use germ detective kits to show how quickly germs spread. The goal is to make health lessons interactive and memorable.

 glitter, tooth necklaces, germ detective kits

Make Storytime a Regular Thing

You don’t have to limit yourself to one visit! You can read to the class once a year or even set up regular visits as a monthly guest speaker. The more students see you in their classroom, the more comfortable they'll be coming to you when they need help. Plus, it reinforces your role as a key member of their educational team—not just the person who hands out band-aids or sends them home when they’re sick.

Endless Possibilities for Learning

The possibilities for reading and learning are endless! Whether you're reading a fun book about when to visit the nurse’s office—like The Ten B’s—or exploring broader health topics, you can tailor your storytime to what works best for your students. You might even have some classes that ask for more sessions, or you could collaborate with teachers to integrate these storytimes into broader health and wellness curricula.

Make It Fun, Make It Educational, Make It Yours!

Remember, this is your chance to make health education fun and engaging. Whether you’re working with tooth necklaces, glitter germs, or colorful storybooks, make it your own. Use these opportunities to not only teach but also to build trust and connection with your students.

So, the next time you’re looking for a new way to educate your students, why not try reading a book? If you want more specific ideas or to learn about great book recommendations—like The Ten B's: When To Visit The School Nurse.

Popular Book Recommendations

Within each category list, you'll find book recommendations. 

The best book yet though is listed below & you can see the inside pages HERE!

Best of luck & have fun.

Another Idea From the School Nurse Private Facebook Group Is ...

The School Nurse ABC's Printable Coloring Book

This downloadable PDF includes 28 black-and-white pages featuring health-related graphics that your students can color. and is available immediately after purchase.  

Each page covers an A-Z health terms, broad enough for you to add your own educational material. It's perfect for meeting new classes and introducing key health topics.

For example:

• A is for Asthma – Use this page to discuss asthma, medications, treatments, exercise, allergies, and lung health.

• H is for Hands – This page is great for introducing handwashing or comparing right- and left-handed students.

• Z is for Zzz... (Sleep) – Use this page to talk about sleep cycles, bedtime routines, and the importance of rest.

This coloring book is a fun and flexible tool to support health education while making connections in the classroom!

 Check out these other popular DOASN blog posts & product links.