CCS - School Nurse

School nurse rules, reminders and suggestions

       The following rules have been instituted regarding visits to the nurses' office:
A. Except in an emergency, students will have a pass from their classroom teacher. Do not arrive between classes.
B. It is highly discouraged for students to make arrangements for early dismissal due to illness without first being evaluated by the school nurse. Do not use the pay phone to call home to be excused because of illness.
C. Students requiring medication during school hours must have on file a written request form signed by both parent and the prescribing physician. Forms are available in the nurses' office. NO MEDICATION (PRESCRIPTION OR OVER THE COUNTER) WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT THIS PERMISSION FORM ON FILE. Students are also reminded that all medication is to be kept in the nurses' office and that under only certain circumstances should a student take medication without supervision.
HEALTH INFORMATION UPDATE
NEW GUIDELINES FOR PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2006:
    The State now requires physical examinations for all students in Grades K, 2, 4, 7 & 10. The previous exams were required in Grades K, 1, 3, 7, & 10. As always, you may have the exam done by your child's physician or our school physician, Dr. Jonathan Lowell, will do the exam here at school. Please let us know as soon as possible if you do not want the exam done at school.
VARICELLA (CHICKENPOX) AND DTAP REQUIRMENTS:
    A reminder to potential sixth grade students and parents - proof of varicella and Dtap booster are needed to enter 6th grade. Proof of varicella, documented by a physician, or vaccination record is needed before entering 6th grade.
INDIVIDUAL HEALTH RECORDS:
    Over the years, we find that much of the information contained on our student's permanent health records become outdated. A student's health and medical history enables us, the school, to be aware of each student's individual needs. Updated health information as well as present address, phone number and person to contact if a parent is unavailable are very important.
    If there has been any change in your child's health status recently (such as broken bones, hospitalizations, illnesses, surgeries, change in medication, etc.) or if there has been a change of phone number or person to call if parents are unavailable, please inform either of the school nurses as soon as possible. Help us to serve your child's health needs!

Back to school new about the flu season - Sept. 2009

As America goes back to school, we wanted to remind you of resources the federal government has made available to help school administrators, health workers, educators, parents, and guardians prepare for the expected return of H1N1 flu this fall. The virus disproportionately affects young people, so it is critical that schools know how to help prevent the flu's spread and be ready to respond to outbreaks. Health and safety should always come first, but if students are dismissed, continuing learning is also important.

Thank you for sharing these resources with your colleagues at the district and school levels. You can find even more information at www.flu.gov, a one-stop resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Questions about the guidance and recommendations for schools can be sent to flu@ed.gov.

Best wishes for this new school year, and thank you for all you do to keep our nation's children healthy and learning.

Arne Duncan - U.S. Secretary of Education
Kathleen Sebelius - U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services

H1N1 RESOURCES FOR K-12 SCHOOLS
    Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools
    (including fact sheets for teachers and parents)

    Technical Report for State and Local Public Health Officials and Schools Administrators on CDC Guidance for School (K-12) Responses

    Report a Flu-Related School Dismissal

    Continuity of Learning Recommendations for Schools (K-12) During Extended Student Absence or School Dismissal

Continuity of Learning--Preparing for the Flu: Questions and Answers for Schools

Flu Notice from the County Health Nurse

This letter comes in response to Influenza activity that is NOW wide spread in New York State. Franklin County is no exception.
    Getting the flu means feeling achy and feverish for a week or so and while for some, this is unpleasant, for others the flu can be more serious and even deadly.
    Each year an average of 36,000 people die and 200,000 are hospitalized due to the flu or flu like complications such as pneumonia. Out of the 200,000 hospitalized 20,000 are under the age of 5.
    There are three things that the community can do to prevent the spread of infection. The first is to get your flu shot it you haven't had a chance.
    The second is to take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of infection by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue if you need to sneeze or cough. Wash your hands with soap and water often. Avoid rubbing your eyes, nose or mouth since germs are easily spread this way. Stay home if you are sick with flu like symptoms that include high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Don't share food or drinks with others.
    If you do have flu like symptoms, contact your physician in the first 24-48 hours of flu like symptoms such as fever and cough to discuss the possibility of taking influenza antiviral drugs. The medications that are recommended for the 2008-2009 flu season are Relenza, Rimantidine and Tamiflu.
    Franklin County Public Health is recommending that if you haven't gotten the flu vaccine yet, take time to get one now.
    So, this flu season, take these simple steps to do your part to protect yourself and others from the flu.
    If you have any questions, fed free to contact Franklin County Public Health at 481-1709.

Head Lice

In the event of a confirmed case of head lice, the school nurse will contact the parents immediately and the child shall be excluded from school until properly treated and essentially free of nits. Following treatment, as above, the child may return to school. We strongly prefer that a parent bring the child to school personally. Child (and parent, if possible) are to report to the Nurse’s office when they arrive at school, At that time the School Nurse will do an inspection to determine if the child has met the criteria for readmission to school. Should a child be found to have head lice repeatedly, three times in a two-month period, parents will be advised of the help available through the Public Health Department and other agencies. The District may contact the Public Health Department directly when the circumstances warrant such action. To help reduce the risk of an outbreak, general screening of students in grades K-4 will take place each September and additionally as the need arises. Parents will be notified by mail of the scheduled date for their child’s room.

Healthy Steps

MAKE THE CONNECTION: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION

Healthy Steps concentrates primarily on increasing physical activity in schools. But, there is a partner that can not be forgotten, HEALTHY EATING! Here are some easy and effective approaches you can take in your school to improve the overall health of your students and staff!

Promote drinking three servings of low-fat milk daily.

"Reducing the total-fat and saturated-fat intake of children is a national health priority. Although whole and 2% milk are leading sources of total and saturated fat in children's diets, two out of three children who drink milk with school lunch choose whole or 2% milk. Promoting 1% and fat-free milk in schools is an important strategy for reducing children's saturated-fat intake and promoting their health."

Visit http://www.cspinet.org/ga/schoolkit/html to order a new education kit from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. This kit can help school food service personnel, teachers, and health educators motivate school children and their families to choose 1 % or fat-free milk.

Promote eating five or more servings of vegetables and fruits every day.

Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health. To promote your health, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day!

Visit www.5aday.com to find nutrition information for children and adults, as well as, activity ideas to incorporate into your lessons! At www.dole5aday.com teachers can find even more 5 A Day Nutrition Education Materials to actively engage students in fun, action-packed adventures as they learn about nutrition, physical activity, and the importance of eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Take the 5 A Day Challenge! Write down fruits and vegetables you eat through the week and add them up to see how easy it is to meet the 5 A Day Challenge to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Together, Eat Well Play Hard
• Increase age-appropriate physical activity
• Increase intake of vegetables and fruits
• Increase intake of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods

School Nurses

Donna Sorrell

Mary Rounds