A Message from Nurse Johnson
Health Classes have begun in first and second grades. During the month of January students reviewed the steps of hand washing and learned how germs are spread and can get into the body to cause illness. We will spend some time on topics such as healthy habits, nutrition, dental health, and character education in the coming months.
Airborne illnesses are passed around readily in many environments, including the classroom. Just like crowded working conditions in some offices, many people breathing the same air, touch the same objects and sit close to one another making it difficult to prevent the spread of germs. The same thing occurs in classrooms. In the early hours/day of a new infectious respiratory illness the number of germs spreading into the air is very high and as the body begins to fight these germs, their numbers decrease. The lesson here is a simple one: whenever possible during the first 24-hours of feeling ill, stay home. Rest combined with drinking plenty of fluids promotes faster recovery time and minimizes the spread of germs to others who sit and work in close proximity. Finally, please encourage your children to wash his or her hands often and don’t forget to cover that sneeze.
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DECEMBER NEWS FROM THE NURSE
Immunizations –
Kindergarten Parents- There are still a few parents who have not submitted vaccine booster information for their children. I ask that you submit it to me by December 15, 2011. That’s the deadline.
Physical Examination Forms-
Required for all new children entering the school district. There are still parents who have not turned in this form for their child. I have been in touch with you since the beginning of the school year. Please submit them to me as soon as possible.
Illness-
We have been doing very well in general, as a healthy school so far. Let’s keep up the good work. Please refer to the school district website for questions regarding when should I keep my child home, if you have any questions.
Enforce hand washing with your children and practice the steps. I see many students who put soap on their hands, only to place their hands right under the running water, and the soap goes down the drain without any scrubbing action.
Research shows that the number one way to decrease the spread of germs is with good hand washing. Since we don’t have a winter break this year in February, (and that is the time when illness always seem to be at it’s peak) we must work to keep our school as healthy as possible.
Health Classes-
Health classes will begin in January for our first and second grade students. We will have lessons on sickness and disease, caring for our teeth, hygiene, nutrition, and many other topics. I am looking forward to working with your children. We will keep you posted on our health topics.
Health Screening-
Right now, I am weighting and measuring your children. I also screen their eyes for distance vision, perform a hearing test, and check blood pressure. I call you and send the results home for a physician referral if needed. Boy, have your first and second grade children grown since kindergarten. Keep the healthy eating up and keep them moving.
Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!
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OCTOBER NEWS FROM THE NURSE
The beginning of school is always an extremely hectic time for all of us. Hopefully we are all getting back to the routine after a relaxing summer.
A reminder to all parents, if you haven’t already done so, please send your medical emergency cards for your children back to school. Keep the nurse and the main office up dated if there are changes in home, work, cell, and emergency contact information.
I recently read an article written by Michele Borba, EdD. . It was titled 6 Simple Solutions for Common Back-to- School Hassles. In the article she shared six common back-to-school hassles and ways to solve them. She went on to say that conquering them will help make life more positive, less stressed, and your kids more responsible. Sleepyheads, manic mornings, and the great breakfast battle are a few common hassles she discussed. One that got my attention was Parental overload. The author asked if you felt like a hamster on a wheel? This is a sign to slow down she states. If you always rescue your kids, stop. If you are always there to bail them out, how can they begin to learn to start managing for themselves? Delegate some small things. Research says kids who do chores are more successful students and become more responsible adults.
If you say yes too easily, write “no” on an index card and tape it to your phone. If someone asks you to take on a task, say you’ll think about it and call back. The stall time lets you decide if you really want to do it.
Remember: A happier, more relaxed parent makes for happier, less- stressed kids.
Have a wonderful school year.
Reference:
Borba, Michele, EdD. The Big Book of Parenting Solutions: 101 Answers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries. Josey-Bass, 2009.
June 2011
Can anyone believe how quickly the school year has gone? We are coming down the home stretch to finish another wonderful school year at Marshall School!
I will miss our second graders as they move on to Jefferson School. I know that they will do well, they are amazing. Look out Jefferson School, here they come! Look at them now, so tall, so confident, the baby faces disappearing as they grow.
We experienced some ill periods at Marshall this year. We were burden with fever and flu and belly bugs for several months, but we got through it. You gave your children adequate time to rest and fight off the germs. Then came spring and pollen and the allergies, boy it was tough, but here we are.
Parents don’t forget to pick up your child’s medicine (inhalers, epi-pens, daily meds. and anything else you have left with me). They can be picked up as close to the last day of school as possible or sooner if it is not an emergency drug. We can not send home medication with your children. I will give new forms for the next school year when I see you.
Have a safe, healthy, and wonderful summer. See you soon.
Nurse Jean Johnson
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May 2011
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your wonderful children here at Marshall School. Each child, special and unique in their own way makes Marshall the place that it is. Thank you for your kindness through nice words, cards,goodies, and the delicious treats during Teacher Appreciation and Nurse Appreciation Week.
I want to remind you of our district nursing website. You can find health information and medical forms that you can access for school use. If you are planning an annual physical for your child, the form is on the site. Perhaps, you need to update immunization information from your physician, or your child now needs an inhaler for school; the appropriate forms are available at www.sorangemaplewood.org.
Jean Johnson
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April 2011
March illness update: Streptococcal illness (strep throat) and conjunctivitis (pink eye) continue to be the diagnosis to be aware of right into early April. Many local pediatric offices were over whelmed last month with patients.
As we go into the spring season, let’s talk about fending off spring allergies. If your child suffers with allergies, hopefully you have talked to the doctor about starting allergy medication. No one enjoys taking medication, but it often can help. Here are a few more tips:
Pollen can accumulate on your skin and in your hair. Wash your hands and face. Take a shower when coming inside and change your clothes. Showering before bed will make it easier to sleep without a lot of allergy symptoms.
Try and avoid peak pollen times if possible. Pollen counts are usually lower in the morning.
Wash indoor/outdoor pets often. Pollen can cling to your pet. Keep them out of your bed and off furniture if possible.
Happy Spring!
Mrs. Johnson
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February 2011
January proved to be an extremely difficult month in terms of cold and snow this year. It was also a tough one for our students and staff here at Marshall School. Colds, flu, and the stomach bug moved swiftly through our building. Thank you for promptly picking your children up when called and for keeping them home to recuperate and rest. Also, please continue to practice proper hand washing technique with your children.
I want to refer you to our new district nurse’s web page. You can access health information and district health forms (medication and immunization) at this site. If you go to the Health Topics area you will find lots of information to help you with head lice and checking your children for it. Please check it out and we will continue to provide helpful information on various topics for you and your family. You can access it by going to www.southorangemaplewood.org.
Health classes have started for first and second graders. I met with our first graders in January and will begin with second graders in February.
Stay well,
Jean Johnson
November 2010
Our school community seems to have recovered nicely from a bout of stomach ailments ranging from cramping and stomach pain to vomitting, diarrhea and fever.
As we are off to a good start, here are two germ-buster health tips to remember:
- Sneeze or cough this way please. Show your child how to sneeze or cough into the crook of their arm. We all know that it will prevent the spread of germs.
- Wash those hands please. Teach and reInforce good hand washing skills. Your child and others will stay healthier. That’s a guarantee. Here are the steps:
- Turn the water on (warm water)
- Get hands wet
- Use a squirt of liquid soap (1 or 2 will do)
- Lather up well – make bubbles * (remind your children not to place their hands under the running water at this time or they will wash the soap down the drain)
- Sing the birthday or alaphabet song (10-15 seconds) while washing hands
- Remember to scrub and rub the front and back of the hands, and in between the fingers and the wrist
- Now, place hands back under the running water and rinse hands well
- If using a paper towel, dry hands, turn water off with the towel, then throw it away
- When using hand dryer, turn water off, turn on dryer and dry hands well
- All done. Now we have clean hands!
