Welcome Back!

I'd like to wish everyone a belated back to school.  The first couple of weeks have flown by and here we are almost in the middle of September already!  Now that everyone is back in the swing of things, I'd like to pass on a few reminders.

If your child has a medication he/ she will be taking at school-or may possibly need at school-please be sure to have the doctor write an order for the medication.  The order should include the name of the student, the name of the medication, the dose of medication to be given, and the time it is to be given at school.  The order can be faxed to my office at 978-537-4025, brought in with the medication, or sent in you child's backpack.  Medications must be brought in by an adult and need to be in the original container with the prescription label.

If your child needs an over the counter medication, such as Tylenol or Motrin, while at school, I have permission slips that need to be signed by a parent/ guardian. You can get one from my office or print a copy  The medication can be brought in by an adult and will be labeled with the student's name and kept in the nurse's office.  I will notify you if your receives an as-needed medication while at school. 

 My aim is to work with students, staff, and families in order to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.  If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out.  I am available by email and by phone. 
And if you're coming to Open house tonight, I'll be here to address any health-related needs.

Here's to a great year!
Nurse Wendy

End of the Year Reminder

 

If your child has any medications at school, please arrange to have them picked up by an adult prior

to the end of the day on Tuesday, June 14th.  This includes EpiPens, inhalers, and any other over-the-

counter or prescription medications. 

If your child will need medication(s) at school next year, I'll need a new order from the prescriber(doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant).  Most doctor's offices have their own order forms, but you can print one out from this site.  Bring the order in with the medication on or prior to the first day of school.

If you have any questions or concerns you can reach me by phone or email. 

Have a happy, healthy summer!!

 

~Nurse Wendy



The Importance of Sleep

Sleep has a huge impact on children’s health and behavior.  Getting too little sleep can affect the immune system, making kids more likely to get sick.  Lack of sleep can also cause behavior problems such as hyperactivity, irritability, and trouble paying attention.  All of these can have a negative impact on school performance.  In addition, missed sleep adds up over time, so an hour less of sleep every night for a week is like missing an entire night’s worth of sleep! 

How much Sleep Do Kids Need?

School-age kids need 10-12 hours of sleep each night.  Teens need at least nine.  For many kids, bedtime is a struggle.  Between homework, sports and extra-curricular activities, video games, TV, and other electronics, it can be hard to get kids to unwind and settle down to sleep at night.  The following are few tips to make bedtime easier:

1)      Set a consistent bedtime.  Getting to sleep at the same time each night can help establish healthy sleep patterns. 

2)      Have a consistent bedtime routine.  Whether it’s bath time, a bedtime story, or another quiet activity, try to keep the routine consistent so your child can wind down and prepare for sleep.

3)      Turn off all electronics at least one hour before bedtime.  Research shows that screen time interferes with sleep quality, so get in the habit of turning off TV, tablet, computers, and phones

4)      Get Active.  Being active during the day promotes better sleep at night.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least one hour of physical activity every day. 

For more information on sleep in children, check out the following article http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleep.html#

Winter Health

 

With cold and flu season upon us, I’d like review the guidelines on when to keep you child home from school.  Please keep your child home if she/he has any of the following symptoms:

     1) A temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher

     2)      A persistent cough or persistent cold symptoms (frequent sneezing, large amounts of nasal mucous)

     3)      Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours

4)     Unidentifiable rash

5)      Red, itchy eyes with drainage (conjunctivitis or “pink eye”)

6)      A contagious illness, i.e. Chicken Pox or Strep Throat

7)      Live head lice (Student may return to school after lice have been treated)

 

It’s also important to remember that there are steps we can all take to prevent getting sick.  Some of the best ways to avoid getting sick are also the most basic.  These include:

 

Hand Washing

Using good cough and sneeze etiquette

Getting adequate sleep every night

Drinking plenty of water

Getting a flu shot

Eating nutritious foods

Getting plenty of exercise, and

Getting outside for fresh air

 By the way, these tips are as important for adults as they are for children!   

I'll be adding more detailed information on ways to stay healthy in 2016.  Stay tuned....

  Have a peaceful holiday break and a healthy new year!

Nurse Wendy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hearing and vision, and growth screenings will be taking place here at Fall Brook next week.  Students in every grade will be coming to the health office for vision screening.  Students in Grades K-3 will also have their hearing screened.  Students in grades 1 and 4 will have their heights and weights, and body mass index (BMI) measured as well.  Since these screenings are mandated by Massachusetts State law, students will be screened unless a parent/ guardian sends in a written request indicating that they do not wish for their child to participate.

Screening tests are not diagnostic. They are designed simply to identify students who may need further evaluation.  Students who do not pass hearing and/or vision screenings will be screened again within 2 weeks.  Letters will be sent home to notify families if students do pass the second screening.  Letters will also be sent home if your child’s BMI falls outside of the 5th and 85th percentiles. 

If your student wears glasses, please make sure he/she has them available to wear for vision screening.  Similarly, if your child has been seen by a hearing specialist, please let me know.  And as always, if you have any questions or concerns about screenings, don't hesitate to contact me

Welcome

Welcome to the first post of the FB School Nurse News Blog.  I'm creating this blog as a resource for our Fall Brook community.  I'll be posting health information, updates on screenings, and other items that relate to the health and safety of our students and staff.  I'm always open to suggestions, so if there are topics you would like learn more about, please let me know!


I'd like to include a few reminders in this first post:


If your child needs to take medication during the school day, I need an order signed by the prescriber (doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant).  Medication needs to be in its original container with a prescription label.  Medication must be brought in to my office by an adult. 


Students with asthma should have a rescue inhaler and/ or nebulizer available for use at school-just in case.  Ask your child's pediatrician for an "as needed" order and bring in the inhaler or nebulizer solution.  I have a nebulizer machine in my office so your child will need his/her own tubing if a nebulizer treatment is ordered. 


If your child has been prescribed an EpiPen, please be sure to bring an extra set to school along with the prescriber's order. 


I'll be beginning hearing, vision, and BMI screenings at the end of October.  Letters will be sent home to notify families of results that fall outside of the "normal" range. 


Always feel free to contact me if you have any concerns you would like to discuss.
Here's to a great school year!


~Nurse Wendy