Meet Our District Lead Nurse: Danna Martinez 

South Sioux City Community Schools is pleased to introduce Danna Martinez as our District Lead Nurse. Danna is based in the Business Office and serves half-days at Covington most days. She supports health services across the district and partners closely with school nurses, health clerks, counselors, teachers, and administrators to keep students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

For many years, SSC contracted nursing services through UnityPoint Health. When UnityPoint chose not to renew its contract with the district, SSC made the decision to bring our school nurses on as district employees. This shift not only allows for greater continuity, direct coordination, and stronger integration of health services into our schools, but it is also more fiscally responsible. By managing these positions internally, we can allocate resources more effectively while ensuring students and families continue to receive consistent, high-quality care.

While the role of District Lead Nurse is new, Danna is no stranger to SSC. She previously worked with our schools as a contracted nurse through UnityPoint, and her familiarity with our staff, students, and community makes her the perfect choice to lead our district’s nursing program.

What Danna’s Role Means for SSC

“No two days are the same” for a school nurse. On any given day, our health teams administer medications, monitor health plans, respond to injuries and emergencies, and—importantly—do the prevention work that keeps classrooms running: reviewing health records, checking immunizations, and supporting students with ongoing conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and allergies. Today’s school nurse is far more than band-aids and ice packs—they are case managers, public-health advocates, and liaisons between families, healthcare providers, and the school.

For Staff: How We Can Partner Well

• Advance notice matters. Please alert your school’s nurse/health clerk about field trips and special activities and confirm students bring needed items (e.g., inhalers to PE).

• Keep communication open. If a student is making frequent nurse visits or showing signs of distress, loop in the nurse/health clerk so we can coordinate with counselors and the school team.
  Be training-ready. Staff working with students who have severe allergies or other conditions should be comfortable with EpiPen administration and basic response steps in the rare event a nurse is not immediately present.

For Families: How You Can Help

• Complete health paperwork promptly and keep emergency contacts current.

• Send medications in original, labeled containers so we can follow the “five rights” of safe administration (right student, medication, time, dose, and route).

• Encourage everyday wellness: handwashing, good sleep, and breakfast go a long way toward reducing nurse visits.

If you’re unsure whether to send your child, you can send them and we will assess; we can take vitals and help you decide next steps.

Return-to-School Guidelines

• Fever: Students should be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning.

• Vomiting/diarrhea: Please wait 24 hours symptom-free before returning.

How to Access Health Support

To keep service timely and organized, please follow this pathway:
1) Start with your school’s nurse or health clerk → 2) If further support is needed, they will coordinate with the District Lead Nurse.

District Lead Nurse:Danna Martinez
Where to find Danna: Business Office and half-days at Covington most days
Phone:712-670-1941

Safety, Preparedness, and Teamwork

Our nurses serve as a safety net during the school day. They coordinate emergency responses, educate students and staff on wellness, and help manage complex health needs. SSC maintains AEDs in every building and keeps pads and batteries current. The health team supports CPR training and collaborates with community partners to strengthen services.

Seasonal Note: Flu Shots

SSC will not host a flu-shot clinic at school this year. We encourage families and staff to obtain flu vaccinations through their family doctor, clinic, or local pharmacy. If you have questions about timing or eligibility, your school’s nurse can help point you to resources.

At-a-Glance

• First stop for help: Is your school nurse or health clerk (they will elevate to Danna when appropriate)

• Focus areas: Medication safety; health plans; chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, allergies); prevention; wellness education; emergency preparedness

• Family checklist: Current health forms & emergency contacts; original-container meds; reinforce sleep/handwashing/breakfast

• Flu season: No on-site clinic this year—please use your provider or local pharmacy

Important Links:

Too Sick for School/Muy Enfermos para Asistir a la Escuela 

Information/Health Forms

Rules and Regulations