The mission of the PSJA ISD Health Services Team is to promote, protect and enhance the health status of all students. School nurses assess and intervene to address actual and potential health concerns. We support the social, emotional, and physical well-being of students to facilitate optimal learning. Nurses encourage a collaborative partnership of all school staff, parents, and community members to achieve this mission.
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD continues to provide periodic first, second and third/booster vaccines to the community at large, and now it will be offering the COVID-19 Youth Vaccine for those 5 years and older.
As one of the largest school districts in the Rio Grande Valley, PSJA ISD takes pride in being among few school districts approved as COVID-19 vaccine providers by the State of Texas.
Thanks to efforts by the PSJA Health Services Department, PSJA ISD has administered more than 40,000 COVID-19 Vaccines to students, parents, staff, and the community during clinics held at PSJA facilities since January 2021.
The district looks forward to offering the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine to young children in the coming weeks.
In order to prepare accordingly, we ask that you take time to answer the following survey if you have a child in Pre-Kinder 4 through 6th grade at a PSJA school. Your response will let us know if your child is currently fully or partially vaccinated, as well as determine interest in receiving the vaccine.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call our PSJA COVID-19 Hotline at 354-2015.
Vacuna COVID-19 para estudiantes de 5 años en adelante
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD continúa proporcionando la primera, segunda y tercera / vacuna COVID de refuerzo periódicas a la comunidad en general, y ahora ofrecerá la vacuna COVID-19 para jóvenes a partir de los 5 años.
Como uno de los distritos escolares más grandes del Valle del Río Grande, PSJA ISD se enorgullece de estar entre los pocos distritos escolares aprobados como proveedores de la vacuna COVID-19 por el estado de Texas.
Gracias a los esfuerzos del Departamento de Servicios de Salud de PSJA, el distrito escolar ha administrado más de 40,000 vacunas COVID-19 a estudiantes, padres, personal y la comunidad durante las clínicas que se llevan a cabo en las instalaciones de PSJA desde enero del 2021.
El distrito espera poder ofrecer la vacuna Pfizer COVID-19 a los niños pequeños en las próximas semanas.
Para prepararse, le pedimos que se tome el tiempo para responder a la siguiente encuesta si tiene un hijo(a) en Pre-Kinder 4 a sexto grado en una escuela de PSJA. Su respuesta nos permitirá saber si su hijo(a) está actualmente total o parcialmente vacunado, así como también determinará su interés en recibir la vacuna.
PSJA Health Services is currently working with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to implement the new “SY 21-22 COVID-19 Testing Program”. As the program is transitioning from a different state agency, there will be a few changes. As part of this transition, PSJA Health Services will now be using the GenBody COVID-19 AG rapid diagnostic tests. These antigen tests will still be available for student and staff use at the nurse’s office. However, since we are receiving greatly reduced quantities of these tests, we ask that only individuals with symptoms request to be tested. Please contact your school nurse if you have any questions. If you wish to become a test administrator for your campus or department, please contact Juanita.perez2@psjaisd.us.
PSJA Health Services will also be holding a vaccine clinic on October 28, 2021 from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm at the PSJA Dr. Daniel P. King College & University Center, Santos Salinas Gym. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations will be administered. Vaccinations that will be available include:
• 1st and 2nd dose of Moderna or Pfizer
• 3rd dose of Moderna or Pfizer for immunocompromised individuals
• Booster dose of Moderna or Pfizer for:
• Moderna – 6 months after completing primary series
• 65 years of age and older
• 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19
• 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARSCoV-2
• Pfizer – 6 months after completing the primary series
• 65 years of age and older
• 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19
• 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2
If you have any questions about this update, please contact the PSJA COVID Hotline at 354-2015.
During the winter months, there is a rise in colds, flus, and other respiratory illnesses. Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV cases and visits are increasing across the country, including Hidalgo County. RSV is a virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people can recover in a week or two. However, RSV can be serious as well. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within n 4-6 days after getting infected. Symptoms can include runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, wheezing. Symptoms usually appear in stages, not all at once. RSV is transmitted by coughs or sneezes, coming into contact with virus droplets, direct contact with the virus, or touching the surface of something with the virus on it. To prevent RSV, stay home when sick, cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with others, and clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices. RSV vaccinations maybe given during pregnancy, to infants up to 19 months and adults 60 and older.
Here are a few ways to help prevent the spread of common illnesses:
Wash Your Hands Thoroughly
Use warm water and soap, rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used when soap and water aren’t available.
Cover Your Cough and Sneezes
To avoid germs, cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Clean and Disinfect Commonly Used Surfaces
Do Not Share Glasses, Eating Utensils or Personal Items
Avoid sharing personal items that can not be disinfected.
Avoid Crowds When Possible
Get Vaccinated
Vaccines can prevent against various communicable diseases.
Flu Shot clinics are set up through out our district. COVID-19 shots are available at most pharmacies. Please see the attached lists and share with your staff.
We have been monitoring the number of flu-like symptoms and fevers at all of our schools. Based on the number of cases schools are being disinfected by a PSJA ISD Maintenance team.
At the end of the school day, the Electrostatic Sprayer may be used to disinfect the classroom, and other areas the student may have been.
All Electrostatic Sprayers should be using Quat-256 disinfectant. Quat-256 is approved for use against SARS-CoV-2.
All schools had been assigned a container of Quat-256 disinfectant that may be used to fill up containers for individual use (spray bottle) as well.
Larger areas such as locker rooms and gyms, may use the Pump Backpack or 1 Gallon pump sprayer. These disperse a coarser spray of disinfectant.
Personal Protective Equipment ( glasses, gloves, long sleeve shirts and pants) should be used when handing the disinfectant equipment.
All custodial staff had been trained on the use of Quat-256 and its application.
Directions for Use:
Remove heavy soil deposits from surface.
Thoroughly wet surface with a use-solution of ½ ounce of concentrate per gallon of water or equivalent..
The use-solution can be applied with a cloth, mop, sponge, or coarse spray, or soaking.
For sprayer applications, use a coarse spray device. Spray 6–8 inches from the surface, rub with a brush, cloth or sponge. (Do not breathe spray)
Let solution remain on surface for a minimum of 10 minutes.
