From the Nurse's Desk

Mrs. Linda Garrett

 Click on the following links to print out school health forms.

Medication Administration Permission Form

Medical Examination Form

Self-Administration of Medication for Students with Asthma or Other Potentially Life-

  

SUMMER TIPS

Sun Safety

          Having fun in the sun is part of enjoying the summer.  Here are some steps you can take so that you (or your child) can make every day a ‘No Fry Day’!   More info can be found at:    http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/

 

·        Limit Time in the Midday Sun - The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

·        Seek Shade

·        Always Use Sunscreen - Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 and use             wherever your skin is exposed.  Reapply every 2 hours when outdoors.  Waterproof sunscreen can come off when you towel off, sweat, or spend time in the water.

 

·        Wear a Hat - A wide-brim hat protects your eyes, ears, face, and back of your neck.  

·        Wear Sunglasses that Block 99-100% of UV Radiation

     Sunglasses that provide 99-100% UVA and UVB protection will reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage.  Check the label when buying sunglasses.

 

TICKS

             If you spend time outdoors or have pets that go outdoors, you need to beware of ticks. Ticks are small bloodsucking parasites. Many species transmit diseases to animals and people. Some of the diseases you can get from a tick bite are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.   Some ticks are so small that they can be difficult to see. Ticks may get on you if you walk through areas where they live, such as tall grass, leaf litter or shrubs.

To help protect yourself and your family, you should

For more information, you can go to:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tickbites.html   OR

http://www.stopticks.org/prevention/index.asp

 

Stay well hydrated!

          If your child has fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, or is sweating a lot on a hot day or during intense physical activity, you should watch for signs of dehydration, which can include:

·        dry or sticky mouth

·        eyes that look sunken into the head

·        lack of urine for 12 hours in an older child (or only a very small amount of dark yellow urine)

·        dry, cool skin

·        lethargy or irritability

·        fatigue or dizziness   

Signs of heat exhaustion: thirst, cramps, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and headaches.  If these occur, move to a shady…or better yet…air-conditioned spot.  Sip cool water.  If symptoms do not disappear, call your doctor.

Preventing Dehydration

The best way to prevent dehydration is to make sure kids get plenty of fluids when they're sick or physically active - they should consume more fluids than they lose.  For more information, go to: http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/dehydration.html

Poison Ivy (and oak and sumac)

How do you get poison ivy? ---from touching it or touching something that has touched it, like your clothes or your dog. You normally get it from touching the leaves, but yanking the vine out by the roots - even in winter - will give you a wicked rash.  If you come in contact with is, wash the area of your skin with soap and cool water as soon as possible, preferably within ½ hr.

Is it contagious?  Once you have the rash, the oil has been absorbed and you can't spread it to others or elsewhere on yourself. If you get big blisters filled with liquid it is mostly water and will not spread the rash even if they break.  For more information, go to:  http://www.poison-ivy.org/

Physical Activity

 

Summer’s the time for outside activity.  Some helpful sites for activity and nutrition include:

www.letsmove.gov; www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm; www.smallstep.gov/kids/flash/index.html

 

REMINDER TO INCOMING 6TH GRADERS    

 

Just (another!) reminder about the immunization requirement for 6th graders, per NJ Dept. of Health & Senior Services, Chapter 14, N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.  Every child born on or after 1/1/97 and entering 6th grade must have prior to the first day of school:

•   Tdap – tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) – one dose of Tdap given no earlier than the 10th birthday and 5 years since last DTP/Dtap or Td dose

•   Meningococcal vaccine – one dose

     After your child receives these immunizations, please send or fax (784-0474) the documentation to school so that his/her health record can be kept up to date.  

 

ONE FINAL REMINDER!

 

HAVE A GREAT, SAFE AND HEALTHY SUMMER!