Ginger Daniel, or “Nurse Ginger,” at Polton Elementary School goes above and beyond to support her students every single day. On October 9, Nurse Ginger was honored with a CCSD Hero award for building a coalition of departments and organizations to help a student attend school who had never gone to school before – in addition to her outstanding daily efforts to help her community.
“I just want to say thank you,” said Superintendent Christopher Smith at the ceremony to recognize Nurse Ginger. “In CCSD, we are grounded in our Core Values, the first being Relationships, the core of everything. Ginger, by having conversations with families who are struggling, you are ensuring that our kids can get to school. Because if they’re not here, then they can’t learn. So I just want to say thank you for doing all that you do from keeping our kids healthy, to making sure they are able to be here, and so much more.”
“Ginger's work as a school nurse does not just start and stop in the clinic. Since starting in CCSD, she
has taken it upon herself to always find the answers, connect the bridges, and collaborate in partnerships,” said Jen Ellerbroek, Director of Health Services.
This year, Nurse Ginger brought together Polton staff, the Transportation Dept., the Special Education Dept., CCSD Health Services, community outreach partners, Translation Services, and healthcare providers to construct a plan for a fifth grade student who had never attended school before. Thanks to Ginger’s coalition building, this student attended their first day of school this fall.
“Nurse Ginger has gone above and beyond to keep everyone looped in as the main point of contact, even though some could say ‘that's not her responsibility,’” said Ellerbroek.
“Ginger has created a safe and welcoming environment for both the student and their family,” Ellerbroek added. “The mother of the student has been more receptive to communications and planning with Ginger, frequently engaging her in the conversation from a ‘how can we help approach,’ rather than judgment,” Ellerbroek added.
Thanks to Nurse Ginger, this CCSD family feels that they have a safe place to call home. After a history of trauma and fear, this young student is able to learn and grow in an environment that their family trusts.
“I think we could talk for hours about the greatness of Nurse Ginger,” said Polton principal Angie Lore. “Our parents know Ginger, our parents love Ginger, and most importantly, they trust her, and we would be absolutely lost without her. Ginger is the model for what school nursing should look like.”
Ginger has helped countless families at Polton Elementary School. Last year, she connected the Special Education Dept., Transportation, Health Services, Polton staff, and the family of a student with complex diabetes care to ensure they had the support they needed. Despite the family having a history of mistrust, Ginger’s expertise in building relationships prevailed once again.
“She continued to assure the student was always at the forefront,” said Ellerbroek. “She gained the parent’s trust and through that connection, the student was able to attend school consistently while feeling supported.”
Thank you, Nurse Ginger, for all you do for Polton and Cherry Creek Schools!
Posted 10/17/24.
