My nursing career began when I graduated from Wright State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in June of 1998, although my family might argue that it began many years before that when I would bandage up my little brothers and care for the animals on our farm where I grew up in Bradford, Ohio.  Before beginning my career at Tri-Village in December of 2013, I worked for more than 15 years as a labor and delivery, newborn and postpartum care nurse.  On my days off from the hospital I substituted for the Darke county school nurses and helped the health department with immunizations and infectious disease reporting. I attended graduate school at Wright State University and obtained my School Nurse Licensure in 2010. One of the many things I love about my job as the school nurse at Tri-Village is getting to take care of many of the same families and children that I cared for when they were just newborns at the hospital.  I also love coordinating the wellness and nursing services for our district and working with students, families and staff toward health, safety and access to education.  I reside in the New Madison area with my husband Shannon, sons Calvin, Ty, and Ryan, and our golden retriever Molly.  I enjoy watching sports, gardening, traveling and love spending time with family and friends. I feel very blessed to be a part of the community that I work in.  I truly love being your school nurse.

Dear Parent or Guardian,

As you may know, our school has participated in a fluoride mouthrinse program, offered by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), for a number of years. We’ve recently been notified by the ODH that this program will be discontinued at the end of the 2019-20 school year. The lone U.S. manufacturer will no longer be making the fluoride packets used for the program. 

If your child participated in this program, we encourage you to let your dentist know that they will not be rinsing with fluoride at school and discuss other sources of fluoride that might be beneficial, including fluoride varnish. 

Please also review these other sources of information about fluoride, dental sealants, and other oral health tips at https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids. Of special interest are:

• A Mom's Guide to Fluoride

• All About Sealants

• 6 Ways to Cut Back on Sugary Snacking

Also, this website offers additional information on:

• Fluoride varnish: https://www.mchoralhealth.org/highlights/fluoride-varnish.php 

• Toothbrushing, flossing and other oral health tips:

  • https://mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org/5-bite-sized-tips-how-to-get-kids-excited-about-oral-health/

  • https://www.adha.org/sites/default/files/7221_Proper_Brushing_1.pdf

  • https://www.adha.org/sites/default/files/7222_Proper_Flossing_1.pdf

  • https://www.adha.org/sites/default/files/7259_Oral_Health_Children_Fact_Sheet_0.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Cole, ODH School-based Oral Health Program Coordinator at: 614-728-2302 or via email at [email protected]

Sincerely,

Jodi Fritz, RN, School Nurse

Tri-Village Local School District

Email:  [email protected] 

Send to School:
1.  Vague complaints of aches, pains or fatigue.

2.  Sniffles, a runny nose and a mild cough without a fever.

Keep home from School
1.  Any physical or emotional condition that would prevent him/her from participating comfortably in class.

2.  A fever of 100 degrees or more.  Coupled with a rash, earache, sore throat, sluggishness or nausea, fever may signal a highly contagious infection.  Keep home until fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.  Give only Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen (Motrin).  Never give aspirin to a child under 19.

3.  A persistent, productive cough and wheezing coupled with a thick or constant nasal discharge.

4.  An undiagnosed rash, especially when there is a fever and behavioral changes.

5.  Pinkeye, in which there is a white or yellow discharge, often with matted eyelids after sleep, eye pain and redness.

6.  Head lice - keep home until treated and all nits are removed.  Must see school nurse before returning to class.  School nurse hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

7.  Chicken Pox - Keep home until all blisters are scabbed over and dry.

8.  Diarrhea or vomiting.

9.  Impetigo - Keep home for 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.

10.  Ringworm (contagious fungus infection) - Keep home until treatment is started.  Ringworm on the scalp requires an oral medication.  Ringworm on the body can be treated a cream applied directly to the affected area and covered with a Band-Aid.