Hello,

My name is Hoa Trinh, and I am the new nurse at SPMA. I love taking care of children and working with families to help their children thrive in school. I am dedicated to protecting and promoting the health and safety of students by addressing health-related barriers to learning. I believe we are a team, and it takes school staff, community members, and families working together to help children reach their highest potential.   

I came to the United States in 1980 as a refugee from Vietnam with my family. I grew up in St. Paul and Oakdale. I have worked in pediatric medicine for over 20 years. I worked at Children's Hospital and Clinics as a nurse in the Medical-Surgical Unit and the Emergency Department. I became a pediatric nurse practitioner in 2015, and worked at a primary pediatric clinic for six years. I have two college-aged sons. In my spare time, I love to travel, eat great food, stay active doing outdoor activities, and spend time with my friends, family and children.

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Student Illness: When your child should stay home

Certain symptoms in children may suggest the presence of a communicable disease. Excluding an ill student may decrease the spread of the illness to others in school. 

Please keep your student(s) home if they have ANY of these symptoms:  

• Fever > 100.0 in the previous 24 hours (without fever reducing medication)
• Has vomited 2 or more times in the previous 24 hours. Can return 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting.
• Diarrhea 2 or more stools that are liquid or more watery with white mucous. Stay home for 24 hours until diarrhea stops
• Rash with a fever
• New or worsening cough or shortness of breath.  If your child has asthma, you are encouraged to ask your medical provider for an asthma plan for school & home.      

Call SPMA to report the reason for your child's absence every day they are not at school.

Other: Sore throat, headache, fatigue, body ache or other symptoms that prevent your child from feeling well enough to engage in learning.  If your child is diagnosed with an illness requiring antibiotics such as strep throat, they may need to stay home 24-48 hours after starting medication.  Ask your medical provider when your child should return to school & request a note for school.   

If a Covid test is done, stay home until you have received the result. If the test is POSITIVE, click on SPPS Covid-19 Reporting System link below. 

Symptoms of COVID-19 include: new onset cough or shortness of breath, fever (100.4 F or higher) or feeling feverish, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache, loss of sense of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting or nausea

FREE BinaxNOW Covid test from the health office for your family. Please call for your test kit(s).

How to use BinaxNOW Video Instructions: https://youtu.be/gQuUJFwdJFg

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Medications at School

Your student may need to take medication during the school day. Saint Paul Public Schools require written parental authorization for any medication during the school day and health care provider authorization is required for medication taken for more than 2 weeks.

• Link: Medication Form