- November 14, 2024
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Luci Griggs stands by the "Magic Tree" that helps get rid of headaches and tummy aches. Photo by Jacque Estes
Part of Luci Griggs job as school nurse is to administer hearing and eye tests to each student. Photo by Jacque Estes
Luci Griggs has been the Wadsworth Elementary nurse since 1993. Her office walls are covered with photos of "her kids." Photo by Jacque Estes
“Magic trees” are pretty rare, but Luci Griggs, better known as Nurse Luci (or Lurse Nuci when the kids are excited), has one in her office.
The “L” shaped clinic at Wadsworth Elementary has three beds lined up for students who need to lie down. Lit only by small strands of lights around the ceiling, and the lights on the “magic tree,” the room is conducive to healing whatever ails you – children and adults alike.
“The magic tree sends out vibes that make the kids better in just minutes,” Griggs said. “Kids come in here with a headache or tummy ache and they can lay down for 10 minutes or so, and then they are ready to go back to class.”
Shelves of stuffed Eeyores, donations from students, wait for children to hug them. She said Eeyore, the color purple, the Dallas Cowboys her granddaughter Chloe, and “her kids,” are her favorite things.
Griggs started her career in Fort Worth, Texas and moved to Palm Coast the first time in 1977 with her husband. The couple returned to Texas, but in 1993 he was transferred again to Palm Coast. One year later, Griggs began working as the school nurse at Buddy Taylor Middle School, where she stayed for two years, followed by a year at Bunnell Elementary.
The third time was the charm – she was sent to Wadsworth Elementary in 1998 – and she has no intentions of leaving.
The walls of her office, her computer terminal and tower are covered in snapshots of “her kids.” She knows where a lot of the students are, what schools they are attending, or where they are working. One former student she is in touch with on a daily basis – Wadsworth Principal John Fanelli.
“She stills sends a card to my husband RD (who Griggs worked with at BTMS), and son, Austin, on their birthdays,” Johanna Davis, a teacher at Flagler Palm Coast High School, said.
She is known as an advocate for her kids, even when she has to “stand on her soap box.”
“I guess that's why I am here, to make a difference in the children who need it,” Griggs said. “I hope so, anyway. If you can help the kids and save one, it's the whole thing.”
Johanna and RD Davis, both teachers for Flagler Schools, describe Nurse Luci as “their guardian angel” while their son Austin was at Wadsworth.
“She is a mother to all of the kids at Wadsworth,” Johanna Davis said. “I never worried about my son at school, because I knew she was there. She is really a special lady.”
Much of Griggs' time is spent with paperwork, something paraprofessional Theresa Vega helps out with when she can. On the second to the last day of school, the two were compiling data for the year-end report to the State, with data about every type of care, number of children with allergies, those without, those who need epipens – and the list went on. Once they were done with that, the two planned to tackle the monthly report.
Griggs' organization is as important to her as her passion for the children's well being.
“My records are a source of pride for me,” Griggs said. “Every child has their own records, and it is my job is to make sure every single kid in school has those forms.”
The 964 files she was responsible for this year included copies of the school hearing and vision screenings, scoliosis screenings for sixth graders, vaccination records, and any other medical needs.
Folders are boldly stamped on the outside with “allergies” or “medical condition,” so that in the event of an emergency, Griggs, or anyone covering for her, can save precious time in getting the child treatment.
“On a daily average, I see 50 to 70 kids a day,” Griggs said. “I also see teachers and volunteers,” she said.
Griggs knows that sometimes children, and even adults, need a quiet time to get back on track. They are always welcome in the clinic.
“Sometimes it's just a time out,” Griggs said. “We have EBD (emotional behavior department) at our school. This is something they can't control, and you have to understand that no matter what they say or do, 10 minutes later they are not going to remember.”
Griggs said her “perks” is the feedback she gets from the parents.
“The best thing a parent said to me was, 'When I go to work, I don't worry about my kids, because I know you are taking care of them,'” she said. “I have also received some wonderful notes.”
“The people I work with are tops,” Griggs said. “I love my job.”
