Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 6, 2026, as School Nurse Day in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1278

BY: M. of A. Rules (Bendett)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May 6, 2026, as School Nurse Day in the State of New
        York

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official  days that are set aside to inform key audiences about the role
and value of school nurses in caring for our most precious resource, our
youth; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May  6,  2026,  as  School
Nurse  Day  in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National School Nurse Day; and

  WHEREAS, Since 1972, National School Nurse Day has been set aside to
recognize school nurses; and

  WHEREAS, National School Nurse  Day  was  established  to  foster  a
better  understanding  of  the  role of school nurses in the educational
setting; and

  WHEREAS, The New York State Association of School Nurses (NYSASN) is
the professional organization representing  the  specialty  practice  of
school  nursing in New York State; NYSASN was founded in 1986 by a grass
roots group of school nurses who  were  dedicated  in  their  vision  to
enhance the practice of school nursing; and

  WHEREAS,  Advocacy  is  a  central  tenet  of  the  New  York  State
Association of School Nurses, providing a unified voice for its members;
and

  WHEREAS, The Advocacy Chairperson and committee  diligently  monitor
and  provide guidance on legislative proposals that impact the scope and
practice of school nursing across New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Students are the future and, by investing in them today, we
are ensuring our world for tomorrow; and

  WHEREAS, Families deserve to feel confident that their children will
be cared for when they are at school; and

  WHEREAS, All students have a right to have their physical and mental
health needs safely met while in the school setting; and

  WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the essential role  school
nurses play in student health and academic success; and

  WHEREAS,  School  nurses  have  served  a critical role in improving
public health and in ensuring students' academic success for  more  than
100 years; and

  WHEREAS,  School  nurses  act  as a liaison to the school community,
families, and healthcare providers on behalf  of  children's  health  by
promoting  wellness  and  improving  health  outcomes  for  our nation's
children; and

  WHEREAS,  School  nurses  are  members of school-based teams such as
school health services, 504/ IEP,  and  disaster/emergency  planning  to
address the school population; and

  WHEREAS,  School  nurses  understand  the  link  between  health and
learning and are able to make a positive difference for  children  every
day; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative Body to join the
National Association of School Nurses in celebrating  and  acknowledging
the  accomplishments  of  school  nurses everywhere and their efforts of
meeting the needs of today's  students  by  improving  the  delivery  of
health care in our schools, and offering gratitude for school nurses who
contribute to our local communities by helping students stay healthy, in
school,  and  ready to learn, and keeping parents and guardians at work,
not just on School Nurse Day, but at every  opportunity  throughout  the
year; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May  6,  2026,  as  School
Nurse Day in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.