Health Matters
with Brenda Abaro, SHA and Dayna Mersberg BSN-RN
Aloha Makaha Surfers!
Welcome to our school's health room newsletter! We are so excited to be slowly welcoming students back to campus! Be sure to scroll through the entire newsletter for some of the latest information, including videos and instructions for receiving the Covid-19 vaccination!
We want to make sure you know that we are doing all that we can to ensure the health and safety of everyone at Makaha Elementary. We are here to support you and your family as we navigate through the school year, so please reach out to us if needed. Our contact information is below, and we are available through phone, text, and email.
We are hoping this newsletter will be a good tool for you, with some valuable information and resources for things like rent assistance, health questions, and food distribution.
Be sure to check back often because this newsletter will be updated once or twice a week (minimum) while the pandemic is here.
We have lots of new information to share below, including information on Flu shots and and exciting new program Kinsa FLUency School Program!
We will be monitoring the Covid-19 situation carefully and follow all guidelines set by our district and State Health Department. The intent of this newsletter is to share information from credible sources, and to offer some helpful tips as we manage ourselves and our families during the stay-at-home order. As you explore the information below, note that along with infographics and videos, there are clickable buttons and links that will take you to websites containing further information.
Can you also do us a favor and let others know about our newsletter? Mahalo!
DAILY WELLNESS CHECKS

Parents, please help to keep our school and community safe from the spread of COVID19. We ask for your kokua in screening your child(ren) every morning before school.
If your child has any of the following symptoms or displays ANY type of illness, please keep them home.
IF your child presents with symptoms of illness in school, you will be contacted and arrangements must be made for your child to be picked up within ONE HOUR.
**Be sure the school has updated contact information (current and working telephone numbers) and have multiple emergency contacts on file in the health room to help facilitate release from campus**
Mahalo for partnering with us
Activate & Set Up Your Thermometer
March 1st is the last day to order your thermometer so text FLUENCY to 900900 now. Make sure you select Makaha Elementary as your school and that you get a confirmation email. Call us if you need help or want to confirm your order.
Makaha Elementary School Health Room Contact Information
Brenda Abaro
School Health Assitant
808-307-7423
Dayna Mersberg, BSN-RN
Hawaii Keiki Nurse
808-439-1307
Did your child get sent home from school for Covid-like symptoms? Are you a teacher or staff who left work for Covid-like symptoms? View the video below to see the steps you need to take to be able to return to campus safely.




For vaccine related questions call (808) 586-8332
Monday through Friday
7:45am - 4:30pm





See the plan, status, safety, and FAQs

Hawaii Keiki Health Hotline

HIDOE students' information will be kept in the Health Office Anywhere (HOA) which is HIDOE's school-based electronic health record. HOA keeps a record of visits to the health room and is HIPPA and FERPA compliant. Additionally, the HK nurses document telephone visits and telehealth visits in a medical record system known as Epic. Epic allows the nurse practitioners to communicate with your child's regular doctor.


What you need to know about inter-island, domestic, and international travel

Dashboard from the City and County of Honolulu (see picture above)
Accurate advice and information is critical for community resilience. This page has links to trusted sites that are continually updated:
Below you can see some of the information available on this site:
Covid-19 Information DashboardVisit for up-to-date data about Covid-19 and the City and County of Honolulu's response to the pandemic. | Read Translated ResourcesVisit for Covid-19 information and guidance flyers in a variety of languages commonly spoken on 'Oahu. | City Services: What's open?Essential city resources are still functioning. Visit to learn about what city functions are operational or closed. |
Covid-19 Information Dashboard
Visit for up-to-date data about Covid-19 and the City and County of Honolulu's response to the pandemic.
Read Translated Resources
Visit for Covid-19 information and guidance flyers in a variety of languages commonly spoken on 'Oahu.
City Services: What's open?
Essential city resources are still functioning. Visit to learn about what city functions are operational or closed.






The 2020-2021 School Year
NO Spare Clothing in the Health Room
Beginning Fall 2020, additional immunizations will be required for all students entering childcare or preschool, kindergarten, 7th grade and post-secondary school, and for students entering school in Hawai'i for the first time. See the requirements here:
New vaccination and health requirements
Hawaii Keiki nurses like myself work in the health room with the School Health Assistant (SHA) in supporting your child's health and education. When your child is sick at school I can treat your child and decide if your child needs to go home or can stay at school. I can: care for your child's allergies, asthma, and other medical conditions, give your child medication when needed, and offer advice about health topics.
The care your child receives doesn't replace the care your child gets from the doctor or clinic. Also, even though you've signed the consent form, we won't treat or give medications to your child without talking to a parent or guardian first.
There is no cost to you, and before a Hawaii Keiki RN can care for your child, we need your permission. You may review the consent form through the link below, fill it out, and return it to your child's school.
Emergency Action Plan (EAP): If your child has a serious medical condition such as Asthma, Severe Allergy (requiring the use of Epinephrine injection), Diabetes, or Convulsions or Seizures, please consider having and Emergency Action Plan in place, so that school staff may understand how to assist your child, should a medical emergency occur while at school.
If your child needs and EAP or you would like to renew your current plan for the 20-21 SY, please email me at dmersberg@ucera.org. You can also text or leave a message for me at (808)439-1307. Please contact me if you have any questions or just want to learn more about EAP.