Virginia Allison MSN, CRNP, CSN School Nurse Practitioner Pittsburgh Public Schools Q. What motivated you to become involved with the EFWCP? A. I try to be an advocate for my school children at all times and that’s how I came to know the folks at the Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania. They too are child and family advocates. When a parent shares with me that their child has epilepsy or a seizure disorder I ask for permission to schedule Project School Alert presentations for both our students and the staff. It’s wonder to be able to partner with and recommend such a wonderful community resource like the EFWCP. Q. What’s so special about Project School Alert? A. The Epilepsy Foundation will come to the school and do classroom based presentations to explain epilepsy and what to do if a child’s friend or classmate has a seizure. The presentations are age appropriate and very creative. The child who has epilepsy can remain anonymous if the parent wishes or participate in educating their peers. This knowledge empowers the teacher and the children. If a child does have a seizure in the classroom, the students and the staff are not frightened and can respond in a helpful manner. Q. Are there other things that the EFWCP can do for school personnel? A. Yes, I have attended numerous presentations which they have provided for school nurses and other health care professionals to stay abreast of the latest developments in epilepsy. The EFWCP offers reliable and helpful advice on how to work with a child who is having seizures at school and are willing to consult with nurses, teachers, parents and administrators on how to help a child with epilepsy in the school environment. The EFWCP will work with you on an individual case by case basis or conduct presentations for your entire student body. I recommend them highly. Links Project School Alert Seizure Recognition and First Aid Training A Note to School Professionals Epilepsy and Learning Handouts for Students Sample Epilepsy Education Curriculum Helping a Student Cope with Social Pressures

For School Personnel

At least one in every 100 children in your school is a child who has epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Each year in the United States 45,000 new cases of epilepsy/seizure disorder are diagnosed in children under the age of 15 years. Are you prepared to recognize and respond to epilepsy in your school?

Epilepsy can be as unique as each child who is diagnosed with this neurological disorder. Chances are there are students in your school who have epilepsy and because their seizures are controlled you don’t even know it. Chances are even greater that a child in your school will experience a seizure in the classroom, on the playground, in gym class, in the cafeteria or on the bus.

The Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central Pennsylvania is available to assist you and your school staff in being prepared to work with students who have epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Check out these helpful links to find out more about how the EFWCP can work with you, your students and the entire school body.

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