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SCHOOL NURSE NOTES   February/March 2008

 

No mosquitoes yet, but the “bugs” are really going around, the germ kind that is!

And as always, the easiest way to prevent the spread of infections and illness is cleaning the hands.

 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is now recommending the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, as a preferred method for cleaning hands.  Use one good squirt and rub the hands thoroughly (around wrists and between fingers), until the gel feels dry.

Of course, if the hands are visibly dirty, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.  The CDC is recommending the alcohol-based hand sanitizers because they kill more germs and are less irritating to the skin. And, most folks really do not wash their hands long enough, well enough, or often enough.

 

HINT: Teachers always appreciate the donation of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and tissues, for their students.

 

Now the other “bugs”, HEADLICE.  Please continue to make screening for headlice part of the normal hygiene practice in your home.  Every county in the state, and probably the COUNTRY, has at least a few cases of headlice every school year, and Dorchester is no exception.  If you have questions or concerns about headlice, please contact the nurse at your child’s school, or the school health supervisor (410-901-8167).

 

Finally, please remind your children to COVER COUGHS and SNEEZES (bend of elbow works when no tissue is handy).  Frequent HAND CLEANING is critical in preventing illness. And please keep ill children home, calling the doctor as needed.

 

 

 
Text Box: “Fuel Your Imagination” Warwick celebrates National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) this year March 3– 7. Students are invited to take part in our annual poster contest. Joining our activities this year is student nurse, Angie Galloway. As part of her community service she will be a guest speaker in third grade art on March 6 when she will introduce a new and updated version of the Food Group Pyramid to students. The food pyramid will illustrate the types of foods and the amounts of each that indicate how we can make healthy meal choices. Artists will use this vital information to create posters that illustrate the theme of this year’s NSBW, “Fuel Your Imagination.” Posters will be displayed in the cafeteria during the month of March, and winners will receive prizes from the Cafeteria Staff. Thank you to Miss Galloway for providing this timely information. Let’s look forward to learning why breakfast is the most important meal of the day!