When Grandview Heights City School Superintendent Ed O'Reilly telephoned school nurse Linda Jokiniemi recently to tell her there was a meeting he wanted her to attend, she assumed it was yet another session on the H1N1 flu.

"We've attended too many meetings about the flu," Jokiniemi said. "But then he told me it was a school board meeting."

He then told her she was the latest recipient of the Tri-Village Rotary Bobcat Award, which recognizes district employees who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Jokiniemi was presented the award at the Nov. 10 board meeting.

"I was honored to receive this award," Jokiniemi said. "I work in such a nice district and see so many of our teachers and students. That's reward enough, but it's so nice to know people appreciate the job you do."

She has worked as a school nurse in Grandview since 1990 and has been the district's only nurse since 2000.

Being the only nurse to serve three schools "stretches you a bit," Jokiniemi said.

She spends the first two hours of each school day at the high school, where her duties lie more in consulting with students than treating them for illnesses or injuries.

Jokiniemi spends two days a week at Stevenson Elementary and three days a week at Edison Intermediate/Middle School.

"But I'm able to move to wherever there's a need," she said. "That's the nice thing about having the schools so close to one another."

Elementary students often need a sympathetic ear as much as treatment for the illnesses and injuries they suffer, Jokiniemi said.

"Even if it isn't a big deal, to them it may be a big deal," she said. "You take care of the problem, give them a hug and a pat on the back and let them know they'll be okay."

High school students who aren't feeling well don't want to be visiting her office, Jokiniemi said.

"They really don't want to be sick. They'll beg me not to send them home," she said. "They want to be able to participate in their athletics and extra-curricular activities. They like school."

"I like working with all the students, all ages," Jokiniemi said. "I get to see them from kindergarten through high school. I've known some of these students their entire school years."

Some people may think a school nurse simply treats students' illnesses and injuries, but the job involves a lot more, including working with families to address a child's health issues, performing health screenings and helping to educate the public on various health matters, she said.

"I'm kind of like the board of health for the school district," Jokiniemi said.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her job is conducting vision, hearing and other testing of students, she said.

"When you're able to uncover a student's vision or hearing problem and help make sure they get the care they need, that's a wonderful feeling," Jokiniemi said.

Currently, the concerns about the H1N1 flu pandemic have been added to the annual worries about seasonal flu, she said.

Central Ohio school officials began meeting to discuss the pandemic two years ago.

"There's been an enormous amount of information to distribute,' Jokiniemi said.

Aside from a one-week spike in absences earlier this month at Edison, the Grandview district has not seen a major invasion of the H1N1 virus among students, she said.

"We do have some students and staff out with the flu," Jokiniemi said. "It's something that's going to come in waves. We'll see a spike and then there will be a dip."

When he presented Jokiniemi with the Bobcat Award at the board meeting, O'Reilly said her assistance in the effort to address the flu pandemic in the district has "been invaluable.

"She's been invaluable to the district and invaluable to me as superintendent," he said.