During the October Dawson County Board of Education meeting, the board took time to recognize the school nurses of the local school system.

"What would we do without our school nurses? I remember a time when we didn't have school nurses, but this day and time is very different. The services these folks provide for our students is unmatched," said Superintendent Damon Gibbs.

The nurses in each of the schools in Dawson County provide health services that include vision, dental, hearing and scoliosis screenings. They also administer daily medications, free flu vaccines and educational programs.

Dawson County Schools Lead School Nurse Jeannie Edwards, who was named Administrator of the Year by the Georgia Association of School Nurses in 2015, talked about the nurses from each of the schools in Dawson County and their daily impact on students.

"I am particularly proud of our nurses. They have the biggest hearts," Edwards said. "They are also very skilled. We do have the best school nurse program in the state of Georgia."

Edwards cited many chronic health conditions of students, including 15 insulin-dependent diabetics, who the nurses take care of every day that they are in school.

"The nurses assist them on a daily basis so that these kids can take care of these conditions and go back to class and be healthy and ready to learn," she said.

Chief Human Resources Officer Lisa Perry read a resolution to honor the nurses.