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#