Health Screening
Just a reminder, all 7th, 10th, and new-to-district students are undergoing health screening in November. Health screening includes vision, hearing, height, and weight. If your student fails any portion of the screening, a referral for follow up will be mailed home. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me @ 742-4963.

Cold & Flu Season
Cold and flu season is upon us. The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, however, different viruses cause them. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. For more information related to Cold Vs. Flu checkout: www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/cold/sick.pdf

Flu shots are now available, and can be obtained from your primary care provider or from a variety of flu shot clinics held around town. For more information, contact your health care provider or call the CDC Immunization Hot Line @ 1-800-232-2522.

School attendance is important, however, an ill student with a fever should remain home. Please do not send a sick student to school to be examined by the nurse. This may expose others to unnecessary illnesses. *Parents are notified before students are excused from school for illness. Current contact phone numbers need to be provided and updated throughout the year.

Stomach Virus
We had multiple cases of the “stomach flu” in October. This is a common illness, which is spread from person-to-person on unwashed hands or food and surfaces handled by a sick person. Thus, the key to preventing the illness is frequent hand washing, especially after using the restroom or prior to eating. Symptoms include a sudden onset of nausea, cramping, chills and fever. Usually, vomiting and/or diarrhea are present. Symptoms generally last 1-3days. It is important to stay hydrated during this time and to remain home until symptoms have been gone for 24 hours.

How to avoid that sleepy feeling on Turkey Day…
– Eat small healthy snacks before you sit down for the big meal.
– Have moderate portions of your favorite foods.
– Drink water during the meal and eat slowly.
– Stop eating when you are full, there will be leftovers tomorrow.
– Take a walk outside afterward to help with the digestive process.

Follow these tips and have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING…gobble, gobble!

Nurse Wendy