BLS Nurse Blog
THREE HEARTS
Did you know that an octopus has three hearts????
An octopus has three hearts: two smaller “branchial” hearts pump blood through the gills to oxygenate it, and one larger “systemic” heart circulates that oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. This unique system supports their active lifestyle and blue, copper-based blood (hemocyanin), which isn’t as efficient at oxygen transport as red blood, so it needs extra pumping power. ~ Live Science
(And they have 9 brains!!!!!!!!!)
HEPATITIS B VACCINE
Oregon Health Authority continues to recommend hepatitis B vaccination for newborns
OFFICE OF POLICY AND ADVOCACY
From Kinsey Martin
Cell phone/personal device usage:
As we approach the policy shift that prohibits personal devices effective January, please remind teachers to review the IEPs, 504s, and Individual Health Plans of students in their class, and/or check in with Learning Specialists, to be clear on which students have documented permission to use their personal devices. This info should also be noted in Substitute Folders.
This will help reduce 1) the number of false claims by students saying they have a medical ‘need’ for their phone, and 2) repeated corrections or consequences for students who do need them but who frequently get reprimanded for usage that is actually permissible.
Immigration:
Check that you have the ICE guidance (linked and highlighted in this document) printed and posted near your front-entry/reception window for the staff who greet visitors. This is also a good point to refresh yourself on the procedures expected of you and your team.
If you become aware of immigration activity in the community that has impacted a student or family, please: 1) be extremely mindful of confidentiality, privacy, and professional boundaries—do not share this information unless absolutely necessary, 2) take care of yourself and your emotions so you can take care of others , 3) refer the student or family to appropriate resources (your family liaison, our newcomer counselor specialist George, school counselor, FAN, etc), 4) let me know if you have a need I can support, resource- or policy-wise. Thank you for your calm, compassionate, and steady leadership as these tough things continue impacting our community.
PERTUSSIS
From OHA
Q: What do I need to know about pertussis vaccinations? Do I need an annual booster?
A: People only need one vaccination for pertussis (whooping cough) in a lifetime. The vaccine is called Tdap and it’s a combination of vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
It’s important to note that while you only need to get the pertussis vaccination once in your life, you will need to boost the tetanus and diphtheria vaccines every 10 years. The boost usually doesn’t include the pertussis vaccine. But if your provider only has Tdap on hand, it’s OK to receive it more than once.
Recommendations for pregnant people and babies
Pregnant people should get a Tdap dose during the early part of their third trimester (weeks 27–36). This protects their newborn in the first few months of life. Spouses, partners, grandparents and any adult routinely in a baby’s life also should get a Tdap dose at least two weeks before the baby is born.
Young infants, even healthy ones, are particularly vulnerable to serious illness or death from pertussis. Once babies turn two months old, they should begin receiving their childhood tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine series.
Learn more on the Oregon Health Authority Pertussis / Whooping Cough webpage. Read about rising pertussis cases in Oregon in our news release.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Upcoming Nurse Events/Meetings
| DATE | EVENT | TIME | LOCATION |
| 12/22/25-1/2/26 | Winter Break | No School! | |
| 1/21/26 | Nurse Meeting | 2-330 | TBD |
| 1/30/26 | Nurse Meeting (Skills Day) | 9-12 | TBD |
| January 9, 2026 | April 10, 2026 |
| February 6, 2026 | May 8, 2026 |
| March 6, 2026 | June 12, 2026 |