Note: This is the first in a series of monthly articles highlighting the many devoted support staffers who serve Ferndale School District’s students. 

The first hour of Angie Jeffrey’s day is often the busiest.  

Before classes began one September morning, Jeffrey, Ferndale High School’s nurse, saw four students who needed medical help. Two students were worried about cold-like symptoms. Another was stung by a bee for the very first time that morning and had a series of questions. And the fourth was already feeling sick only an hour or so after waking up. 

“The first part of the day, when we get here, is always busy,” Jeffrey said. “It’s amazing how many kids come to school, but then they don’t feel good right when they get here.” 

In between these student visits, Jeffrey handled her daily morning tasks: seeing sick or injured students, receiving phone calls from the families of students staying home sick, and more. Sometimes, she does all of this on top of a morning meeting with other nurses or counselors. 

Supporting the well-being of more than 1,300 students isn’t an easy task. But Jeffrey – in her sixth year as FHS’ nurse, and 16th year nursing in Ferndale School District – adores her job. 

“I think I’m in the right place,” she said. 

A school nurse plays a key role in students’ education. Their task is to make sure students’ health concerns, from stomach aches to diabetes, don’t stop them from accessing a quality education at school. 

“When you’re not at school, you’re missing a lot of instruction,” Jeffrey said. “We figure out what can we do to make it so students can come to school.” 

For example, a paraeducator came into Jeffrey’s office, saying one of their students was complaining of a sharp stomachache. After asking the para a few questions about the student’s breakfast, to understand their need better, she gave the para a granola bar and a juice pouch to give to the student. 

“Sometimes a kid is just having a hard morning,” Jeffrey said afterwards. “You can tell when a kid is really not feeling well from their face, the look in their eyes,” she said. 

Throughout that morning, Jeffrey helped a consistent flow of students who came with varying degrees of medical issues. One student had a bug bite on his leg; Jeffrey gave him an ice pack. One student got nauseous and vomited in class; Jeffrey slowly walked him to the nurse’s office where he was able to rest. 

Jeffrey documents student visits to keep a track of their medical needs. 

“When we’re in a counselor meeting, we then have a list of students on our radar who we have concerns about, and we can strategize to best support them,” Jeffrey said.  

Jeffrey also works with staff to prevent any medical crisis in the future. That morning, she emailed agriculture science teacher Tony Torretta a reminder to check if any of his students going on a future pear-picking field trip are allergic to bee stings. It’s important for staff in that situation to have EpiPens on hand just in case, she said. 

Jeffrey began her career as a very different kind of nurse, working with elderly patients in Bellingham. After having kids, she became a stay-at-home parent for about 6 years. But eventually, she faced a choice – either keep staying at home and lose her nursing license, or find a part-time job. 

In the mid-2000s, a friend told Jeffrey that Lynden School District was looking for part-time school nursing substitutes. Jeffrey took that opportunity and began working constantly in Lynden schools. But just a couple years later, when there was an open temporary nursing position at Eagleridge Elementary School, she decided to start her career in Ferndale. 

“I lived in Ferndale, and my kids went to Ferndale, so I thought, ‘If Lynden needs nursing subs, maybe Ferndale needs nursing subs, and maybe I could work there.’” Jeffrey said. “And sure enough, they needed them.” 

Jeffrey worked for a decade as a part-time nurse, eventually serving almost every elementary and middle school in the district. But in 2016, she took over as FHS’ full-time nurse. Jeffrey is one of nine nurses in Ferndale School District. Adaela Pelton handles both middle schools, six nurses – Chelsey Admundson, Jeanie Baker, Sandy Bird, Kristin Henderson, Chelsea Warner, and Rachel Zender – cover the district’s elementary schools, and Jeanie Baker visits every school. 

Now, Jeffrey has her role nailed down. She knows exactly which staff to frequently collaborate with – for example, she and Maria Cambron in the attendance office are constantly working together to communicate with families of ailing or hurt students. She has relationships with students who come in frequently for medication, such as a student with diabetes who visits every lunch before they get their blood sugar levels checked. 

“He’s the best part of my day,” Jeffrey said. “He’s so sweet.” 

In particular, Jeffrey said she appreciates teaching teens about the realities of adult life when it comes to health. 

“At high school, we’re preparing kids for their future and to be responsible adults who can take care of themselves,” she said. “I think knowing how to approach your health, knowing where to go when you don’t feel good, knowing how to talk to doctors, is a really important piece of becoming a functional adult.”