Dressing For The Weather IS Necessary..

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

Strep Throat Is Still Among Us

Please be advised that we are continuing to see a great deal of Strep Throat in in our classrooms at this time.

If you child develops a fever or sore throat, DO NOT send your child to school and PLEASE follow up with your family physician immediately for treatment options.

Should a unknown rash develop please seek medical attention as strep w/rash is also known as “Scarlet Fever

***Symptoms of strep throat include fever, stomach pain, vomiting and red, swollen tonsils***

Now is the time to reinforce proper hand washing techniques at home with your children and remind them not put their fingers in their mouth, nose or eyes as they are the 3 ways by which viruses enter the body.

Wishing everyone a healthy day,

Nurse Donna

The Flu~A Guide for Parents

Looks like the Influenza Season may be starting earlier than usual...

What is the flu?

The flu (influenza) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that is caused by influenza virus. The flu can spread from person to person. Most people with flu are sick for about a week, but then feel better. However, some people (especially young children, pregnant women, older people, and people with chronic health problems) can get very sick and some can die.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Most people with the flu feel tired and have fever (usually high), headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and sore muscles. Some people, especially children, may also have stomach problems and diarrhea. Cough can last two or more weeks

How does the flu spread?

People that have the flu usually cough, sneeze, and have a runny nose. This makes droplets with virus in them. Other people can get the flu by breathing in these droplets, getting them in their nose or mouth, or touching contaminated surfaces

How long can a sick person spread the flu to others?

Healthy adults may be able to spread the flu from 1 day before getting sick to up to 5 days after getting sick. This can be longer in children and in people who don’t fight disease as well (people with weakened immune systems).

How can I protect my child from the flu?

A flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. CDC recommends that all children from the ages of 6 months up to their 19th birthday get a flu vaccine every fall or winter (children getting a vaccine for the first time need two doses).
• Flu shots can be given to children 6 months and older.
• A nasal-spray vaccine can be given to healthy children 2 years and older (children under 5 years old who have had wheezing in the past year or any child with chronic health problems should get the flu shot).
• You can protect your child by getting a flu vaccine for yourself too. Also encourage your child’s close contacts to get a flu vaccine. This is very important if your child is younger than 5 or has a chronic health problem like asthma (breathing disease) or diabetes (high blood sugar levels).

Is there medicine to treat the flu?

There are antiviral drugs for children 1 year and older that can make your child feel better and get better sooner. But these drugs need to be approved by a doctor. They should be started during the first 2 days that your child is sick for them to work best. Your doctor can discuss with you if these drugs are right for your child.

How else can I protect my child against flu?

1. Take time to get a flu vaccine and get your child vaccinated too.
2. Take everyday steps to prevent the spread of germs. This includes:

- Clean your hands often and cover your coughs and sneezes
- Tell your child to:
- Stay away from people who are sick
- Clean hands often
- Keep hands away from face
- Cover coughs and sneezes to protect others (it’s best to use a tissue and throw it away).

What should I use for hand cleaning?

Washing hands with soap and water (for as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice) will help protect your child from many different germs. When soap and water are not available, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used (the gels should be rubbed into your hands until they are dry).

What can I do if my child gets sick?

Consult your doctor and make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks a lot of fluids. If your child is older than 2 years, you can buy medicine (over-the-counter) without a prescription that might make your child feel better. Be careful with these medicines and follow the instructions on the package. But never give aspirin or medicine that has aspirin in it to children or teenagers who may have the flu.

What if my child seems very sick?

Call or take your child to a doctor right away if your child:

• has a high fever or fever that lasts a long time
• has trouble breathing or breathes fast
• has skin that looks blue
• is not drinking enough
• seems confused, will not wake up, does not want to be held, or has seizures (uncontrolled shaking)
• gets better but then worse again
• has other conditions (like heart or lung disease, diabetes) that get worse

Can my child go to school if he or she is sick?

No. Your child should stay home to rest and to avoid giving the flu to other children.

Should my child go to school if other children are sick?

It is not unusual for some children in school to get sick during the winter months. If many children get sick, it is up to you to decide whether to send your child to school. You might want to check with your doctor, especially if your child has other health problems.

When can my child go back to school after having the flu?

Keep your child home from school until his or her temperature has been normal for 24 hours. Remind your child to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, to protect others (you may want to send some tissue and wipes or gels with alcohol in them to school with your child).

Wishing you all good health,

Nurse Donna

Head Lice

One of the most common misconceptions is that head lice only happen to the poor, the unclean, or the uneducated. For a long time, it was thought that people got head lice only from being in filthy environments or because of poor hygiene. We know that isn’t true. Head lice are found on children who attend any school, who shampoo daily and have short or long hair. In fact head lice prefer a clean head. It can happen to anyone.

Head lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are tan or grayish and are often difficult to see. They like to be in dark places and will quickly hide under hair when you part it to look for them. It is usually easier to find the nits or eggs. Nits are whitish and teardrop shaped and very tiny. You will find them attached to the hair. They are “glued” on and are difficult to remove. Head lice can’t fly or jump, so don’t be concerned when you are looking for them.

If you are certain your child has head lice, check other family members. Everyone infested should be treated at the same time. Don’t worry about the family pet, head lice only live on people. Please inform the school ASAP so that the spread in your child’s classroom can be limited.

Children cannot ride the school bus until the school nurse has checked the child.

To successfully treat head lice several steps need to be followed:

1. Use of a lice (pediculicide) shampoo. There are several brands available, without prescription, at local pharmacies. Consult with your doctor before using any lice product on pregnant/nursing women, infants, or those with allergies. Read the label carefully and follow directions. Apply the shampoo to dry hair. Wetting the hair first makes it less effective. It is best to do this over a sink as this keeps the shampoo on the scalp only. Make sure behind the ears and the nape of the neck is treated thoroughly. If you notice swollen glands in the neck or under the arm, or scratch marks can be seen, infection may be present. Consult with your doctor before giving any treatment.

2. Comb out the nits while the hair is still wet. Use the comb that came with the shampoo or a separate one can be purchased. Many people find a metal comb more effective and it can be sterilized and re-used. It is time consuming but very important to remove all of the nits. If you are having a lot of difficulty, some people find that a vinegar rinse helps to loosen the nits. After you are done with this, shampoo with a regular shampoo. Check daily and keep removing any nits that might have been missed. A second treatment, 7-10 days after the first treatment, may be necessary to eliminate any new nits or lice. If after these two treatments the problem still exists consult with your doctor. Remember your child has to be “nit free” to return to school.

3. Since lice can survive off the body for several hours and nits for longer, it is important that your immediate environment be cleaned. Vacuum carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture and mattresses. Wash recently worn clothing, towels, sheet and linens in hot, soapy water and dry in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes. Items that can’t be washed can be vacuumed or placed in a plastic bag and sealed for 2 weeks. Soak all combs and hairbrushes in hot water (130 degrees) or in rubbing alcohol for 10 minutes. Vacuum your car seats and headrests.

Do not use sprays-they are not effective and are potentially harmful to humans and pets. All of these measures take time and patience, but should limit the spread of head lice in your family and in school. If you have any questions about head lice and treatment, I am more than happy to help you with the answers.

If you have a computer handy go to the National Pediculosis Association web site at www.headlice.org. They have a wealth of information.

Nurse Donna

Week of September 12th update

Strep throat is still on the rise; first, second and third grade classes at this time. Should your child complain of a sore throat, please take it seriously.

It is also the season for head lice so I ask that you remind your children not to share hair items, brushes, scrunchies, hats, hoodies, etc. Girls with long hair should try to pull it back while riding the bus to avoid additonal exposure. Remember it is not a hygeine issue, but rather a pesky issue that can happen to any of our children.

Most importantly; I need to stress proper hand washing for ALL our children. Especially while at school. Proper hand washing technique to teach your childen is;

1. Use warm running water
2. Use liquid or pump soap whenever possible
3. Rub hands/fingers together 10-20 seconds vigorously
4. Scrub under fingernails (germs hide there)
5. Rinse and dry well

Sometimes it helps to teach our little ones to sing either Happy Birthday or the ABC's song while washing to assure they wash long enough before rinsing.

Always remember, hand washing IS the #1 preventative in preventing the spread of viruses per the Center of Disease Control.

Happy hand washing and good health to all,

Nurse Donna

Strep Throat

Please be advised that we have positive diagnosis of Strep Throat in both 1st & second grade classrooms at this time. If you child develops a fever or sore throat, DO NOT send your child to school and PLEASE follow up with your family physician immediately for treatment options.

Should a unknown rash develop please seek medical attention as strep w/rash is also known as “Scarlet Fever

***Symptoms of strep throat include fever, stomach pain, vomiting and red, swollen tonsils***

It is a great time to reinforce proper hand washing techniques at home with your children and remind them to not put their fingers in their mouth, nose or eyes as they are the 3 ways by which viruses enter the body.

Wishing everyone a healthy day,

Nurse Donna

Vaccination Deadline IS Approaching

One of my least favorite tasks at the beginning of the school year however it is the law. Many of you will be receiving bright pink notes stating that your child has until September 22, 2011 to provide proof of mandated vaccinations. If you receive this note, please heed the warning.

Those students that do not comply with Ohio law will NOT be able to return to school after that Friday, until their vaccination records are brought up to date. Should you have additional questions by all means call my office.

Nurse Donna

Immunization Requirements for Students

OHIO IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS*

In accordance with the 2011-12 state law, students must have the following before they may enroll and attend school:

4 doses DTP – Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (5 doses if 4th dose was administered prior to age 4)*Required before entry into Kindergarten

3 POLIO-IPV – (4 doses required if a combination of IPV & OPV were given or if final dose was administered prior to age 4) *Required before entry into Kindergarten

3 HEPATITIS B – ALL Students K-12. ***If the 3rd dose was given before 6 months of age a 4th dose is required. *Required before entry into Kindergarten

2 MMR – Measles/Mumps/Rubella- ALL Students K-12. *Required before entry into Kindergarten

2 VARICELLA – Chicken Pox Immunization- 2 doses for K-1 1 dose for grades 2-5 *Required before entry into Kindergarten

All 7th & 8th grade students must have a Tdap booster to return to school.

**For students with religious or medical exemptions, special forms are located in the clinic.**

Special Note: By law, vaccination records must show “day” as well as month and year of each dose administered and must have the signature or stamp of the physician/health facility that administered these.

Should your child not meet these requirements a note will be sent home reminding you what vaccinations need to be completed. If these are not completed your child WILL be excluded from attending school. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the clinic and speak directly with me.

Wishing every student a successful school year,

Nurse Donna

Summer Safety Tips

Hoping this finds everyone enjoying their summer break as it won't be long till we are back in school.

I know all our parents at Black River Local School District strive to make every effort to keep your kids safe year-round, but it is especially important in the summer when most kids are out of school. Hot temperatures and more time spent outdoors, perhaps unsupervised, can put kids' health and safety at risk, leading to a lot of accidents and tragedies this time of year.

Sun and Summer Heat

The most obvious hidden dangers in the summer simply have to do with the heat and can include:

•heat stress and heat stroke, which can be prevented. Keep kids well-hydrated, take frequent breaks when playing outside, and watch for symptoms such as thirst, cramps, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and fever. Never leave a child or let her play in a hot car.
•getting burned on metal slides or other hot playground equipment.
•sunburns--although parents should be aware of the risks of not applying sunscreen or sunblock on their children, sunburns are still common (especially if lotions are not used properly.)
•never leaving a child unattended in a car, even for a few minutes, as a car can get hot quickly, and be sure to always lock your car and secure your keys so that your kids can't play in your car and get trapped inside

Water Safety Tips

Many families try to escape the summer heat in a pool or nearby lake. To keep your kids safe around the water be sure to:

•childproof your pool by enclosing it in a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate.
•supervise your kids around the pool, even if they know how to swim.
•have children who don't know how to swim wear a life vest instead of "floaties" when they are in the pool.
•always have your child wear a life vest when on a lake or river, even if they know how to swim.
•take your child to swimming lessons once he or she is four to five years old, the age when most kids can learn to swim.

Other Summer Safety Tips

In addition to using sunscreen, supervising kids around water, and protecting your kids from the heat, you can keep your kids safe this summer by:

•checking the pool (or nearby ponds and hot tubs, etc.) first if a child is ever missing as someone calls 911. Next, check the car, including the trunk, as every second can count if your child has drowned or is trapped in a hot car.
•avoiding pourable gel fuel for firepots that have recently been recalled.
•educating kids at the beach that digging holes in the sand deeper than their knees can be a risk for a collapsing hole and getting trapped under the sand.
•keeping younger kids away from lawn mowers. Despite the need for a summer job or simply wanting to help, remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children younger than 16 years old should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers; children younger than 12 should not use walk-behind mowers.
•using insect repellents when necessary.
•doing a daily tick check if your kids have been playing outdoors, especially in or near wooded areas.
•outfitting your kids with appropriate protective gear, such as a helmet and pads, when they ride a bicycle, skateboard, or scooter, or while wearing heelys.
•putting a guard on windows above the first floor if you are going to routinely open the window during warmer weather to help prevent falls
•not letting your kids play with fireworks and instead visiting a public fireworks display this fourth of July.
•not eating food that has been left out for more than an hour at barbecues and family picnics, which can cause food poisoning.
•teaching your kids to recognize and avoid poison ivy.

And of course, keep your home well-childproofed. This also applies to wherever you are staying when you are on vacation, whether it is a hotel or relative's home.

Although not a safety danger, it's important to remember that time off from school also means that your child may have more opportunity to become inactive and eat more junk food, leading to his becoming overweight. Always encourage your child to be active and eat a healthy diet all summer long.

See you soon,

Nurse Donna

Do NOT Take Complaints of Sore Throats Lightly~

I cannot stress enough to parents the need to listen to their children's complaints of suspected illness's.

We are currently seeing more and more students in the elementary levels being treated for Strep Throat (and Scarlet Fever). If your child is complaining of a sore throat, upset stomach, headache, etc. please call your family doctor and have them evaluated. Not always will you see a rise in temperature so I ask that you do not presume no fever means all is well.

I ask that you continually stress the need for good hand washing techniques with your children as it remains the #1 preventative in decreasing the spread of ALL viruses/illness's.

Thank you and enjoy your Spring Break!
Donna

Is my child too ill to attend school?

Parents are often confronted with this decision when their child complains of not feeling well. The guidelines shown on the inside of this brochure may be helpful. It will not cover every medical condition and does not take the place of seeking medical attention. Please consult your doctor for specific medical advice.

Fever - 100 degrees or higher - A fever is a sign of illness. A child with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher should not attend school. The child should be free of fever for 24 hours before returning to school.

Sore Throat/Colds/Cough - Minor cold symptoms are common and usually don't interfere with school attendance. A persistent, frequent cough and/or constant nasal drainage may affect your child's performance at school, and he/she may be more comfortable at home.

Rash - A rash may cover the entire body or only one area. A child that has a rash that is draining, has open areas or is causing the child to itch excessively should not attend school. A rash accompanied with other symptoms such as: a fever, sore throat, irritability, vomiting, etc. should not attend school.

Vomiting/Diarrhea - A child who has vomited should wait 24 hours and be able to retain solid foods before returning to school. A child who is having frequent diarrhea stools should not attend school. If there is cramping/abdominal pain with diarrhea, the student may be more comfortable at home.

Still dealing with stomach virus~

Just to keep you informed, we are still dealing with the stomach virus noted in January's posting. A couple cases of strep have been confirmed and head lice in a couple of classes. I believe we have seen a couple of cases of Influenza (one that I know was confirmed via lab testing) the other I suspect.

Again, I cannot stress the need for reminding your children of good hand washing techniques and to not touch the T-zone areas of their faces. This is the #1 way for viruses to enter the body. (T-zone is eye, nose & mouth)

On a upside of things Spring is coming and with this I must ask that you continue to make certain your children are dressing appropriately. Jackets & hats are a must on most days for now. Until we are in mid 60's no one should be without outer wear.

Nurse Donna

What IS Going Around Our School?

Keeping parents aware of the variety of illnesses/viruses in the school can be helpful in determining why your child may be telling you he/she is not feeling well.

Most recently we have been experiencing a stomach bug (Not Influenza) that entails vomiting, diarrhea for some and fevers ranging from 100 degrees up to 102 degrees. We have also had confirmation of Strep Throat in both Kindergarten and Fifth grade.

What is Black River doing to curb this? Our custodial crew continues to be diligent in cleaning the school building, paying close attention to the water fountains. Our teachers are quick to wipe desks down, reminding ALL students of good hand washing techniques and cough/sneezing etiquette.

What can YOU do? Basically the same..........Remind your child(ren) of the importance of hand washing, sneezing and coughing into their elbows rather than into the air or their hand. Remind them not to place their mouths on any water fountain when drinking from them. And last but not least, if they are telling you they do not feel well, take the time to check their temperatures, throats for white spots, etc. Ask yourself; Do they look well? Are their cheeks flushed? Are they acting like themselves? Generally a child that is not feeling well clearly looks and acts differently. These are simple cues to take note of.

I hope this provided some insight into how we can help keep our children healthy and in school. Lastly, eating healthy DOES play an important role in our children's well being. Promote eating a healthy breakfast. Advocate for your child to obtain the proper amount of sleep nightly. Set a bedtime and stick to it. Consistency in sleep habits and eating habits is a win-win for maintaining good health.

Think healthy,

Nurse Donna