Valley Oaks Elementary Nurse Honored

Caring, generous, and positive are just a few words that describe Valley Oaks Elementary School nurse Jacquelyn Petrie, who has been selected as an Outstanding Nurse honoree by editors of the Houston Chronicle newspaper.

For more than a decade, the newspaper has published a special-edition print section, “Salute to Nurses,” to honor nurses in the greater Houston area. Nurse Petrie will be featured in this year’s publication, which is scheduled May 12. She is one of 100 nurses who will be honored for their impact on the area’s nursing community.

Nurse Petire has spent 19 years overseeing the health and well-being of countless Spring Branch students. She came to SBISD after working at Ben Taub Hospital, a job that she loved but chose to step away from in order to spend more time at home with her three children. Students, parents and faculty members at Valley Oaks feel safe knowing that all health-related issues are in the expert and reassuring hands of Petrie. She handles every accident, injury and emergency in a calm and orderly fashion that puts students, staff and parents at ease. “Jackie truly cares about each student and faculty member on our campus.

She has the most positive attitude, always greets you with a smile, and engages students and teachers in conversations that make them feel cared for and important,” said Valley Oaks Elementary staff member Melissa Cornsack. “She constantly thinks of things she can do for our students and families in need of extra support,” Valley Oaks Elementary Principal Gary Henry said. Sunday, May 12, is the first day of National Nurses Week.

This report was compiled by Communications Dept. student intern Kali Venable.