Nurses Celebrated for Outstanding Services

Last Thursday the Colton Joint Unified School District's (CJUSD) employee recognition committee recognized and celebrated the work of nurses and other individuals who work within the Colton Unified School District. Beatrice Ordaz LVN (Pupil Personnell Services), Roberta MacDonald (GTHS Principal's Secretary), and Lydia Beltran (Supervisor of Nutrition Services) were recognized for their service to the District in addition to school nurses: Helen Bunch RN, Sabrina Chimienti RN, Christine "Chris" Gabriel RN, Marsha Nagel RN, and Christine Whitmyer RN. Christine Whitmyer, R.N. has worked as a nurse for 28 years. She serves the students at Grand Terrace High School, Joe Baca Middle School, Crestmore Elementary, Terrace View Elementary and San Sal Preschool. Whitmyer stated the favorite thing about her job is, “helping the kids with medical needs and those who just need support with glasses or dental needs.” Her educational background includes a Masters in nursing, and credential in nursing school. Whitmyer is married with 2 children and shares, “How appreciative I am to have been given this award and for being able to work in CJUSD and offer my nursing support to our students.” Marsha K. Nagel, R.N. has worked at CJUSD for 30 years and has been working as a nurse for a little over that. “I have a nursing degree, a Masters in public health, health education, and a Masters in Religion and Health.” Kagel shares, “I have a wonderful husband of twenty-five years-Lewis and a precious son who will be 6 on March 25th-Andre.” Nagel works at several schools including; Alice Birney Elementary, Grand Terrace Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Cooley Ranch Elementary, Colton Middle School, Terrace Hills Middle School, students placed by IEP in non public school placements, and preschoolers of all the elementary schools. Kagel's favorite part about her job is, “working with children, they are so awesome-loving, forgiving, and always wanting to 'go with the nurse' to be tested!" She states, “It has been a privilege and blessing of God to have my life work to be in service to children and staff of the Colton Joint Unified School District.” Christine Gabriel, R.N has been working with the district since January 2000. She graduated with her BSN in June 1996 and says, “I went back to school several years after being in the district and got my PPS credential in school counseling, but decided to stick with nursing and I am very happy I made that choice. Currently I serve Wilson Elementary, Reche Canyon Elementary, Rogers Elementary, Colton High School, Washington Alternative School, and Slover Mt. High School. We also do assessments for any preschooler who is being tested for special education services. My favorite part about my job is working with students and staff. I really enjoy watching the students grow and mature over the years. We all play a part of the education of our students.” Sabrina Chimienti has lived in the Reche Canyon area of Colton since October 2013, has been a nurse for 17 years, and worked at CJUSD for 16. “I am the first school nurse in the United States and Canada to receive my Doctor of Nursing Practice from Western University of Health Sciences in 1999. I also teach part-time, BSN and MSN nursing students at the University of Phoenix.” Her family life consists of, “5 children. My son Giacomo, 12 years, a set of twins, boy and girl stepchildren (10 years old), my little blessing, Alessia, who was born with Down syndrome, she is 3 years old, and my adopted 3-year-old Ukrainian daughter, Giana, who also was born with Down syndrome. My husband and I adopted Giana, after discovering the blessings of Down syndrome and most of all, knowing the conditions of orphans in countries in Eastern Europe. We wanted to save an orphan with special needs in which would have no life in their country and be sent to an adult mental institute at the age of 4 if not adopted by then.” She serves at Bloomington High School, Sycamore Hills Elementary, Grimes Elementary, Jurupa Vista Elementary, and Michael D’Arcy Elementary. Chimienti says, “My favorite part about my job is helping the children, for me, it’s all about the kids”. She states, “I want to thank everyone who took the time to recognize the hard work we as school nurses do. Thank you so much!”