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A NOTE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
Welcome to the 2008-09 school year. I would like to share a few health tips to make your child’s school year a success. BREAKFAST: Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Those little bellies and brains need fuel to start the learning day. Tips: stay away from sugary breakfast cereals and donuts, try a variety of whole grain cereals that are low in sugar, make fun finger foods that kids can eat easily and quickly encourage your kids to drink a glass of milk, encourage your kids to drink a glass of water with breakfast. Websites: www.easy-kids-recipes.com/eat-breakfast.html, www.nutritionexplorations.org/kids/activities/detective.asp MEDICATIONS AT HOME: Many children take medication on a regular schedule at home. It is important to remember that a child should be supervised while taking any type of medication. Students who have not had their prescribed medication on schedule often struggle to learn throughout the day. Please be sure your child is medicated as prescribed. MEDICATION AT SCHOOL: There are times when it is necessary for students to take medications during the school day. Antibiotics, oral rinses, and other medications that can be given before and after school should remain at home. For all medications (prescription and nonprescription) that are to be given at school require a medication permission form to be completed by the physician and signed by the parent. This required form can be obtained from the school nurse or administration office. HEAD LICE: Head lice can be a family’s worst nightmare. Head lice is not a communicable or even harmful disease. It is, however, a spreadable nuisance. Head lice is caused by a tiny fast crawling bug called a louse. A single louse can lay many eggs in a short period of time. These eggs are called nits. It is important when treating head lice to use a louse killing shampoo and remove all nits from the hair. It is recommended that you wash bedding, coats, hats, etc. in hot water. You should also vacuum furniture, floors, and car seats. If your child is found to have head lice, please treat their hair as recommended and accompany your child to the health room upon return to school. It is thoughtful to notify the parents of any friends with whom your child had direct recent contact. The nurse will notify the classroom teacher that a case of head lice was found in the class. HYGIENE: Please remind your child to brush their teeth atleast twice per day. Feel free to assist them when you can. Flossing is often difficult for little fingers to do. Also encourage your child to practice good handwashing at school, home, and when appropriate. SHARING FOODS AT LUNCH: Please encourage your child to eat only the lunch they brought to school or bought at school. There are so many children with food allergies that sharing foods at lunch should be discouraged. PHYSICAL EXAMS/IMMUNIZATIONS: Physical exams and immunization schedules are due for grade PreK, K, 6th, and 9th grades at registration. If your child does not get the required exams or immunizations by the Tuesday following Labor Day, your child may be excluded from school per state and district policies. DENTAL EXAMS: Dental exams are required for grades K, 2nd, and 6th by May 15 of the school year. The Mobile Dentist/Smile Illinois program will be coming to your child’s school. You must complete the application and return it to school in order for your child to participate in the dental clinic. More information regarding the dental clinic will be sent home during the school year. Websites: www.idph.state.il.us/ VISION SCREENING FOR ALL ENROLLING IN KINDERGARTEN: The state has mandates that all enrolling kindergarten students must have an eye exam performed by and eye doctor as part of the required physical exam criteria. The appropriate forms can be obtained from your school nurse or the administration building. WELLNESS TEAM: This year your child will be hearing about the new district wellness team which will focus on efforts to improve daily activities and encourage nutritional food choices. You can learn more about the wellness team by viewing our webpage coming soon to www.unitten.org.
*If I can be of assistance to you during the school year, please feel free to contact me at Renfro School 346-6265 or Summit School 346-6222. Hope your child’s school year is healthy, happy, and productive.
Lisa C Brown Sabatino, RN, BSN, IL-CSN Certified School Nurse/CUSD#10
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