August 6, 2025
Greetings School Nurses, NYSASN Members and Board of Directors,
I would like to take this time to introduce myself. I’m Jill Kenney, President of NYSASN. On behalf of the New York State Association of School Nurses, I would like to welcome you to “ The Lodge” at Welch Allyn, Baxter Co., Skaneateles Falls, NY and the SCHOOL NURSE ORIENTATION (SNO) Conference. The SNO Conference Committee worked very hard to bring you an outstanding educational offering. I am sure you will be pleased at the knowledge you’ll gain as well as the networking opportunities this week has provided. NYSASN offers excellent education conferences and represents school nurses at the state level. Our conferences offer more than educational opportunities. It’s a time to have fun and unite with our school nurse colleagues.
Your attendance here indicates your desire to remain current, vital and involved. It is a tribute to wanting to utilize “best practice” knowledge and procedures each day. Everyone in attendance has personally and financially sacrificed time to be here this week. The NYSASN board of directors thanks each of you for attending.
It takes many committed individuals to run an effective, well-run organization Since 1986, NYSASN Board of Directors has tirelessly worked to provide exceptional educational programs and support to school nurses who have varying degrees of experience and knowledge. Being at the helm of a volunteer organization, such as NYSASN, is a challenging and compelling, yet rewarding, position. I’m the spokesperson and the “Go To” person when issues and questions arise.
We continue to work towards the “School Nurse in every school” mandate, forever hopeful our state legislators and school officials will see the value we bring to our school communities. We have combined forces with NYSUT and the Collective Care Team in supporting bills to get this accomplished. We are also currently working with the Epilepsy Coalition of New York State for Seizure Safe Schools Legislation.
NYSASN is working on reinforcing to New York’s School Nurses that we are the liaison between home, school and community resources. We help guide various members throughout the state in our Mission. Which is: To advance the practice of school nursing and enhance the educational success of students by promoting quality health services.
As you know, membership in your professional organization is considered a standard of excellence in your school nurse practice and shows your commitment to our profession. We applaud you for this commitment! NYSASN is the only professional organization in the state that solely represents school nurses. If you are not already a member, I urge you to consider joining. Please use the available QR code provided to you at this Conference, that makes it easy to enroll and become a member! Your membership provides access to numerous resources, and keeps you informed of the latest issues affecting school nurses from New York and throughout the country. If you already are a member, I want to thank you for your continued support of NYSASN’s Mission.
Finally, I want to thank you for taking care of our NYS students. I hope that your participation today increases your professional success and we thank you for all you do while “Caring for New York’s Future”. I hope to meet many of you today. As Florence Nightingale once said, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses … we must be learning all of our lives. “Together we are stronger! Hope to see you at our Annual Conference in November 2026.
Respectfully,
Jill Kenney RN
President NYSASN