Viruses and Germs

Viruses and germs are everywhere.  Please encourage your child to wash their hands often using soap and water.  This can be done by applying the soap, using friction while scrubbing hands with water, and washing for at least 20 seconds, rinsing with water and drying hands thoroughly with a clean paper towel.  Hand sanitizers can also be used but are not a substitute to washing your hands when they are soiled.  We try to keep these hand sanitizers in each of our classrooms for the children to use.  These strategies are effective in order to reduce the risks of getting sick and spreading germs.  Attempt to cough and sneeze into a tissue, then throw it away, and wash your hands thereafter. 

Antibiotic Use

Antibiotic use is only effective against illnesses caused by bacterial infections, not viruses.  Antibiotic resistance can be built up if not used properly.  Remember:  Use antibiotics only when the physician prescribes them, don’t share medications, take all of the medication (even if you feel better), and follow-up with the physician if needed.  If you should notice any signs or symptoms of infection, you should immediately contact your medical provider for advice.  These signs and symptoms are:  redness or excessive swelling around a wound, throbbing pain or tenderness in the wound, red streaks in the skin around the wound or progressing away from the wound, tender lumps or swelling in your armpits, groin, or neck, foul odor from the wound, and/or generalized chills or fever.  Also, get plenty of sleep each night and eat a balanced diet. 

Reminder

Please remember that if a child has an infection (strep or staph), the child needs to have a written physician’s note to return to school after being on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.  Please contact the nurse with any questions and/or concerns about this.  Keep me informed about the conditions that your children may have.  This is a great way for me to assist with the children’s health and any follow-ups that may be needed at school. 

Contact

Feel free to contact me about this information if you would like.  I have educated the staff and children about germ prevention in the school and feel we are doing a great job.  Please encourage the children to complete good hand washing practices often.  My clinic hours are Monday-Friday 8:30-1:30. 

Emergency/Medical

Parents that may have a child with any medical concerns, physical handicap, asthma, diabetes, heart or seizure disorder, food or environmental allergy, etc. need to come by the school nurse office to discuss your child’s health care needs.  It is very important that the required paperwork be filled out and returned to the nurse as soon as possible so we can assist your child with any health care needs in which they may have or should arise during the school year.  Please keep all emergency contacts information and health needs current throughout the school year. 

Medications

A parent must provide the clinic with assigned permission forms from the doctor before any medication can be given.  All medications are to be kept in the clinic unless permission is granted from the doctor or nurse.  A backup inhaler, for the asthmatics, is strongly encouraged to be kept in the clinic for emergency use.  Acetaminophen pain reliever is no longer available in the clinic at the elementary level unless it is supplied by the family for each individual student.   An antihistamine is kept in the clinic for emergency situations that may arise during the school year.  The proper permission form is required before any medicine can be given to any child.  Please contact me if you need one of these forms. 

Medical Insurance  

If your child needs medical insurance, please contact the nurse for more information.  FAMIS is a new children’s medical insurance that may be available for your child. 

Tips for a Successful School Year

• Encourage your child to eat a well-balanced breakfast every morning at school or home.
• Make sure that your child gets at least 8 hours of sleep at night.
• Encourage your child to perform to their best abilities.  Praise them often for good behaviors and efforts.  Remember that our children are our future. 
• The Nurses hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-1:30. The school clinic is a safe and confidential place for medical/health questions or concerns in which you may have about your child.  Please contact me with any questions and/or concerns that you may have.