Health Screening
Just a reminder, all 7th, 10th, and new-to-district students are completing health screening this month. 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 Weather
The days are starting to get longer as the minutes of daylight add up; however, this being Alaska, it is bound to get colder before spring arrives and the snow melts. Freezing temperatures put at us risk for cold weather injuries and related woes. Education regarding prevention, identification, and treatment of frostbite and hypothermia are important for all of us trying to stay warm while living in Alaska.

Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissue freezes. This occurs when you are exposed to freezing temperatures. Frostbite worsens progressively; initially, the affected area feels cold, turns white, stiffens, then becomes tingly or stings. As it continues to worsen, the tissues harden and may change from white to blue or grey. Eventually, the area numbs and the feeling of cold and pain go away. Areas affected most commonly are your extremities (fingers/hands/toes/feet) and the face (nose/cheeks/ears).

Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature falls below normal as a result of exposure to cold or freezing temperatures. Hypothermia worsens progressively; initially, you may begin to shiver and have difficulty performing fine motor tasks such as zipping your coat or tying a shoe. As hypothermia worsens, you experience slurred speech, weakness, disorientation, and become tired. Eventually, your pulse slows and your body becomes stiff.

Treatment for frostbite or hypothermia involves immediate medical attention by a health care provider. One should get out of the cold, change into warm dry clothing, and hydrate with warm water. Re-warming should be done slowly if possible via skin-to-skin contact, warm blankets, or a luke-warm water bath. Do not rub frostbitten skin as this can damage the tissues. The re-warming process is painful and tissues may swell. Remember, frostbite and hypothermia are life-threatening conditions and require medical attention as soon as possible.

Prevention is key. Remember to plan ahead, dress in layers, and wear cold weather accessories such as a hat, gloves, scarf, and wool socks. Go inside and warm up periodically, stay hydrated, and eat snacks to keep your energy up. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Tobacco decreases circulation while alcohol impairs judgment and interferes with temperature regulation.

Cold Weather Vehicle Tips for You and Your Driving Teen:

Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle (blanket, flashlight, flares, jumper cables, extra winter clothes, a shovel, etc).
Plug in your vehicle and let it warm up in temperatures below 20 degrees F.
Be careful pumping gas. Gasoline on the skin lowers skin temperature as it evaporates putting you at risk for frostbite.

Building Our Youth’s Developmental Assets

Each month, in addition to the Nurse’s Notes, I will include The Search Institute’s “Ideas for Parents” a mini-newsletter containing suggestions and ideas on how to build your child’s assets. This month’s focus is Resistance Skills: Navigating Peer Pressure and Dangerous Situations. More information can be found at the Safe & Drug Free School’s link via the ASD website, The Search Institute www.search-institute.org, or by contacting me directly. I also have a great book on developmental asset building in Alaskan youth if you are interested.

Nurse Wendy