Week of Nov.15th, 2010

Just to keep parents current on what is going around the BREC; We are still seeing students out with a stomach bug (vomiting/diarrhea) some with fevers, others without. Lasts 24-48 hours.

Currently in 1rst grade we have quite a few cases of pinkeye (conjunctivitis). Extremely contagious so please if your child awakens or presents with crusty red eye(s) complaining of itchy-scratchiness do address this quickly as it will spread through your home quickly. I cannot stress enough the need for excellent handwashing when dealing with this not to mention any illnesses this winter.

Making certain your children are eating "healthy foods" and getting 7-8 hours of solid sleep are equally essential in maintaining good health during the school year.

Wishing you all good health,

Nurse Donna

Hand Washing IS the #1 Preventative Measure in Keeping Your Children Healthy...

Once again I cannot stress enough the importance of instructing your children daily on proper hand washing techniques. It IS and remains per the Center of Disease Control the #1 method for thwarting off diseases and viruses. Equally I would ask that you remind children to keep their hands away from their mouth, eyes and noses as these are the three main entry areas viruses tend to enter.

This week I continue to see the GI bug (not influenza) which appears to be a virus causing diarrhea or vomiting (or both is a few cases). Pushing clear fluids, limiting solid food intake and treating of the fever is the most you can do at this time. Rest is the key as it will afford your child the opportunity to build back their strength far quicker than trying to return them to school sooner than they are physically ready.

Some may have heard we had a "suspected" case of Whooping Cough on the elementary side. Just to clarify and prevent speculation and rumors from spreading this child was treated for such but the physician DID NOT test for Whooping Cough hence as the Epidemiologist explained we truly will not know if this was truly a case of Pertussis/Whooping Cough or not. With this said; I cannot stress enough the need to check with your child(ren's) doctor to make certain that your child IS up to date on all their vaccinations.

As always I am a phone call away should you have any question related to illnesses currently in the building so do not hesitate to call.

Nurse Donna

Currently going around the school...

I am pleased to say we have been pretty limited as to what illnesses I am seeing currently in our school buildings thus far. We have had a limited amount of strep throat, nominal GI stomach bugs (diarrhea & vomiting) and should be thankful as many others schools are seeing far worse.

Colds seem to be lingering a bit this season, lasting up to 2 weeks which is typical. The coughs have been more harsh than I like to hear but again we need to remember that when our children are congested pushing clear fluids (anything you can see through in the glass) is best. Avoiding dairy products which thicken the mucus is a must during this time. Milk, yogurt, ice cream and such only thickens the mucus your child(ren) are attempting to cough up.

Please keep in mind if your child has a fever or is sent home with a fever that they need to be fever free 24 hrs before returning them to school. They need time to heal and should be monitored to assure the fever has actually subsided and not masked by medications such as Tylenol or Motrin. Returning to school before they are ready will ultimately cause them to relapse with said illness and be out longer than would normally be the case.

Head Lice in the lower grades has popped up as it tends to this time of year. Nothing that I would state is out of control however, checking your children's heads during bath time is certainly a good habit to get into this time of year. Better to catch this early as opposed to find your child infested as the treatment would require far more absenteeism than necessary. Note that Lice MD is chemical free and found at most drug stores and my preference when dealing with children. I personally hate using chemical lice kits if they can be avoided. Also white vinegar rinsed over their dry hair will assist in dissolving the glue the nits/eggs use to adhere to the hair shafts and is totally safe in content.

If you have any concerns or questions remember I am but a phone call away.

Think healthy...and above all dress your children for the weather. Layering so they can peel off if they get too warm yet add back if they are cold is the best way to dress for this early winter season.

Nurse Donna

Remember...It IS All About Our Kids..VOTE YES!

The 1% Earned Income Credit for Black River School District is a win-win for your children. Please take the time to educate yourself by visiting the school website and click on the tab located at the top of the page. This IS all for your children.Thank you,

Nurse Donna

The "Layered Look" IS in at Black River

Dressing for school can be a guessing game. Some day’s we are warm, some days are a bit cool. A very cool morning can change to a warm afternoon for recess, or a cold front can move it with a surprising chill. Air-conditioning and heating a large building is a challenge as the weather fluctuates. It can take up to 24 hours to adjust the heating system.

Students are encouraged to dress in layers so they can be comfortable to learn. Wearing light shirts and pants with a sweatshirt in the backpack can be a formula for comfort. Please check with your child to make sure they have a sweatshirt in their backpack if needed.

Nurse Donna

Get Health Insurance for Your Kids

Health Start is Ohio's free or low-cost health insurance program for kids. Signing up today means your kids are covered on and off the field. Even if you've been turned down in the past, your child may be able to get coverage now.

Call their office at 800-324-8680 or visit their website at www.InsureKidsNow.gov for more information and get your questions answered. See if your kids are eligible now........

Have a healthy day~

Nurse Donna

Updated Flu Recommendations from CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced July 29 the updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Among others, the ACIP recommends vaccinating all children over the age of 6 months during the 2010-2011 flu season. View the full list of online recommendations to learn more.


http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr59e0729a1.htm?s_cid=rr59e0729a1_e

Nurse Donna

New Immunization Requirements for 2010-2011 School Year

Here is the annual update of the Immunization Summary for Child Care, Head Start, Pre‐School & School Attendance for the 2010‐11 school year.

Please note that the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Journal has been updated; the Director’s Journal contains the requirements for immunizations for Ohio students. The changes in the Director’s Journal will be effective for the 2010‐11 school year. A brief summary of the changes are:

The addition of a Tdap booster requirement for 7th grade

The addition of the 2nd dose of varicella

A requirement that the 4th dose of polio be administered on or after the 4th birthday

The most significant change for schools is that all 7th graders will be required to have the Tdap – a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis booster. Currently, only 30% of Ohio’s 7th graders have received this booster, therefore this requirement will most likely affect the majority of incoming 7th grade students. As with other school immunization requirements, students who do not provide documentation of this immunization are subject to exclusion from school. To avoid exclusion, we encourage you to share this information with the families of 6th graders soon so that they have time to get this booster before school starts in the fall.

We have already received a number of questions regarding this change. Here are some points of clarification:

Any student who completed the original DTP/DTaP/DT series and later received Td or Tdap for an injury or other reason within 5 years of entering 7th grade will meet this requirement and not need to be re‐immunized for entry to 7th grade

In this situation, students who received only Td rather than Tdap should be immunized with Tdap 5 years after the Td immunization

CDC has said that Tdap can be administered as soon as two years after Td

In the absence of contraindications, parents should be encouraged to get Tdap as a booster for their students rather than only Td


For ALL Kindergarten Entries:

K-5 doses of DTaP, DTP, or DT, or any combination, if the fourth dose was administered prior to the 4th birthday

K-4 doses of any combination of OPV or IPV, the final dose must be administered on or after the 4th birthday regardless of the number of previous doses.

K‐12
2 doses of MMR. Dose 1 must be administered on or after the first birthday. The second dose must be administered at least 28 days after dose 1.

K‐11
3 doses of Hepatitis B. The second dose must be administered at least 28 days after the first dose. The third dose must be given at least 16 weeks after the first dose and at least 8 weeks after the second dose. The last dose in the series (third or fourth dose), must not be administered before age 24 weeks.

Kindergarten
2 doses of varicella vaccine must be administered prior to entry.


For more information you may call the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Immunization Program hotline at 800‐282‐0546.

Further information can also be found on the ODH web site:
http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/idc/immunize/imunchsc.aspx


See you soon,

Nurse Donna

Medication Pick up "end of school year"

It's that time of year and as our school year comes to a closing so does the need for the clinic to shut down. With this said, ALL medication whether it be or prescription or over the counter must be picked up by Friday June 4, 2010. Any medication not picked up with be properly disposed of as we do not keep medications in the clinic over summer break.

Thank you and have a wonderful summer~

Nurse Donna

Children's Health Insurance Toolkit

Children's Health Insurance: Tools to Advance Enrollment and Retention Efforts is a tool developed by Insure Kids Now to assist organizations in increasing awareness and understanding of children's health insurance programs.

It was also designed to assist organizations in encouraging eligible parents and guardians to apply for coverage on behalf of their uninsured children. The toolkit includes how-to information, as well as customizable materials. The kit will be updated and expanded as successful strategies and practices emerge.

This tool is available at http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/professionals/toolkit/toolkit.html.


Nurse Donna

Strep Throat

What is Strep throat?

Strep throat and Scarlet fever (a rash that sometimes accompanies strep throat) are caused by the beta hemolytic streptococcus, type A bacteria. The organisms are spread by contact with secretions from the mouth and nose of infected persons. The incubation is short, usually 2 to 5 days. Infected persons are considered contagious until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment is begun.

What are the signs and symptoms or strep throat?

The signs and symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen glands under the jaw and in the neck, and pus pockets on the tonsils. Vomiting and stomach pain may also occur. Additionally, with scarlet fever there is a fine, red, sandpapery skin rash.

What should I do if I think my child has strep throat?

If a sore throat is suspected, if would be recommended to go ahead and seek medical care. A throat culture will be done to determine the diagnosis. If the culture is positive, a ten-day course of an antibiotic, is prescribed. The child should be out of school until 24 hours of antibiotic therapy is received and condition improved to return to school. If the culture is negative, the cause is probably viral and the treatment is warm salt water gargles, force fluids, rest, and Tylenol.

Can strep throat be prevented?

YES! Frequent handwashing, plenty of rest, and adequate diet will to go far to protect your child against strep throat and other germs which tend to be more prevalent this time of year. Be careful not to share cups or utensils that can also lead to the spread of germs.

If you have any further questions, please contact your family physician or the school nurse.


Nurse Donna

Scoliosis Screens this week...

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis in a sideways (lateral) curving of the spine. One in 10 persons will have it. Two to three persons in every 1000 will need active treatment for a progressive condition. In one out of every 1000 cases surgery may be necessary.

Frequent signs are prominent shoulder blade, uneven hip and shoulder levels, unequal distance between arms and body, and clothes that do not "hang right."

Eighty percent of scoliosis cases are idiopathic (cause unknown). Scoliosis tends to run in families and affects more girls than boys.

Spinal curvature is best dealt with when a young person's body is still growing and can respond to treatments, such as a body brace. Mild cases may not need treatment, but must be monitored.

Kyphosis (round back) may also occur in developing adolescents. It should be screened for and may need to be treated.

You, your physician and/or your school screening program can perform a 30-second annual screen during these growing years. Screening during the bone-growing years can make a difference between a preventable condition and a disability in adult years.

Do keep in mind this is merely a screening and we do not diagnose scoliosis. We simply notify those parents that student presents with questionable visual signs of possible issues that we may see. Diagnosis is made by your physician by way of exam and xrays of the spine.

If you have any questions regarding scoliosis feel free to call my office. I will be happy to assist and offer suggestions regarding the need for follow-up exams, etc.

Have a healthy day!

Nurse Donna

Been a busy new year thus far. Weather changes constant, temps up-temps down and students coming down with colds, flu bugs and strep. I cannot stress enough the need to dress for the weather.

Scoliosis screens will be done for students in 6th-8th grade the last week of January. This screen is preformed as a courtesy for your children. It is not a physicians evaluation nor is it a diagnosis. If a curvature is questionable a letter will be sent directly to the parent recommending an evaluations to rule out the onset of scoliosis.

As we come to the close of this month, note there is a great deal going on at school. From the Father Daughter Dance to the Community Dinner it looks like it is happening at the BREC. And for those interested in a tea party event, do contact Community Ed as there is one coming up late February.

Nurse Donna