Health Services

Creating and sustaining a school environment that promotes and supports student achievement, health, and well-being.

In White Bear Lake Area Schools, we know that healthy students are better learners. Our Health Service teams are made up of Licensed School Nurses and Health Assistants who work collaboratively with families, school staff, healthcare providers, and community partners to remove health-related barriers to learning and promote health and wellness for our students.

The Licensed School Nurse develops Individual Health Plans for students and works with teachers and other school support team members (deans, school psychologists, school social workers) to provide appropriate support. Each Licensed School Nurse serves several schools.

Licensed School Nurses (LSNs) are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Board of Nursing. A bachelor's degree in Nursing with Registered Nurse licensure and Public Health Nursing Certification is required to obtain a school nurse license. LSNs provide services for students with any physical, mental or emotional health concerns that may impact school attendance, participation in school activities and learning. These may include:
 
  • Severe Life-Threatening Allergy
  • ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Concussion/Head Injury
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Medication (changes and/or concerns)
  • Mononucleosis
  • Seizures
Health Assistants provide supportive care for students under the supervision of the Licensed School Nurse including:
 
  • Students who become ill during the school day
  • Students who have been injured
  • Students who require medication administered at school
  • Students needing assistance with day to day management of asthma, diabetes, or other chronic conditions
Health Assistants all have CPR and First Aid training, but may or may not hold a nursing license. They assist the Licensed School Nurse in maintaining a school health record for each student, tracking immunization dates and tracking infectious conditions reported to school.

Frequently Requested Information

Licensed School Nurses

RUTH DESJARDINS

RUTH DESJARDINS

SCHOOL NURSE
WBLA High School

RN, BSN, LSN

CATHERINE FOSTER

CATHERINE FOSTER

SCHOOL NURSE
Matoska International, Normandy Park

RN, BSN, LSN

MEGAN GUNVALSON

SCHOOL NURSE
Lakeaires Elementary & Lincoln Elementary
megan.gunvalson@isd624.org
Phone: (651) 653-2829 
 
LSN 
VANESSA HOUSE

VANESSA HOUSE

SCHOOL NURSE, PROGRAM COORD
Mariner Middle School, District Center

RN, MSN, LSN

MOLLY MILLER

MOLLY MILLER

SCHOOL NURSE, PROGRAM COORD
District Center, Vadnais Heights Elementary, Transition Education Center

RN, BSN, MPH, LSN

COLLEEN O'BRIEN

SCHOOL NURSE
Central Middle School, Birch Lake Elementary

RN, LSN 

JANET SCHMIDT

JANET SCHMIDT

SCHOOL NURSE
Willow Lane Elementary, Otter Lake Elementary

RN, BSN, LSN

SONJA WESTERCAMP 
SCHOOL NURSE
Area Learning Center, WBLA High School
sonja.westercamp@isd624.org
Phone: (651) 444.6706
 
RN
HEATHER WILDING

HEATHER WILDING

SCHOOL NURSE
Oneka Elementary, North Star Elementary

RN, BSN, LSN