By Randi Trumble

As a Lansing School District nurse, my face is the first one my students see after returning from recess with scraped knees or cuts and when they report having stomach aches, runny noses or sore throats. When we return for in-person learning, I’ll have another role: The first line of response if any of my students or staff members exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.

Schools across Michigan have developed plans for safely returning to school. It’s critical that, just as with academic plans, all school districts have clear, detailed health response protocols and procedures should a student or staff member exhibit signs of COVID-19, or if a positive case is identified.

As a medical professional, I need these plans to do my job as the sole person responsible for responding to health emergencies in my school building. Having clear health response guidelines is also important to me as a mother of three young children.

Randi Trumble is a nurse in the Lansing School District

Editor’s Note: MEA is committed to helping members raise their voices for safety in returning to school. This piece is one of several written by MEA members sharing their thoughts and concerns, as published in the Lansing State Journal. Stay tuned to MEA.org and local media outlets for more.

Other Member Voices For Safety

Kathleen Dillon-Dowd on MEA.org: Schools Must Require Masks for All Grades

Dawn Levey in Detroit Free Press: Give me the resources to get back into the classroom

Greg Talberg in Detroit News: Whitmer listened to educators for school reopening plans

Chris Thomas in Bridge Michigan: Dear Betsy DeVos and Michigan Lawmakers: Here’s what educators need

Bill Daniels in Bridge Michigan: Michigan educators like me must be heard in school reopening talks

Andy Jarema in Macomb Daily: Put frontline educators on front lines of decision making