Nurse's Notes
Winter 2024
Welcome To 2024
We are halfway through the school year and I know your children are ready to play in the snow! Who doesn't love a good snow day? Many fond memories have been made playing in the snow with family and friends.
Did you know February is National Heart Health Month? Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. During this special month, help the children and adults in your life understand the importance of a healthy heart. Below you will find more information
~Nurse Amy
Stay Well This Winter
Tips to help you avoid getting sick:
- Get recommended vaccines from your physician.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you’re sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Not sure how long that is? Hum Happy Birthday twice. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses.
To learn more about Flu, COVID-19, allergy or cold symptoms, click the link below.
Medications At School
Houston Elementary Handbook states the following:
All medication must be brought into school by a parent. No medication should be transported on the bus.
Students will not be permitted to take medication while at school unless the medication is administered by an adult acting under specific written request of the parent or guardian and under the written instructions of the student’s physician. When such a request is made by a parent/guardian a full release from the responsibilities pertaining to the administration and consequences of such medication must be presented to the principal by the student’s parent or guardian. This policy covers all prescription or other drugs that might be purchased over the counter. Prescription medication, which contains no narcotics or controlled substances, will be administered by a nurse or trained personnel to the student if:
A. Medicine is in the original container.
B. Written permission from the Parent/Guardian is on file and is accompanied by physician written authorization to administer the prescription.
C. Directions for medication, including strength and dosage administration is on the bottle.
A Few Friendly Reminders
Students will be sent home for a fever over 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit, vomiting, or diarrhea. They cannot return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours.
All medication must be brought into school by a parent. No medication should be transported on the bus.
Communicable diseases such as measles, mumps, chicken pox, pink eye, etc., will require the student to be excluded from school attendance until a physician indicates in writing the condition is no longer infectious to others. The state approved guidelines for communicable diseases have been established by DHSS. A copy of this manual is available in the nurse's office.
Cold Weather Safety Tips to Protect Children
- Layer up! Bitter cold and snow can cause frostbite. Dress your child in several layers, and make sure their head, neck and hands are covered. Dress babies and young children in one more layer than an adult would wear.
- Play it safe. Even when roads are closed to traffic, it’s not safe to play or sled in the street. Visibility may be limited due to snowbanks and ice on the roads makes braking difficult.
- Beware of clothing hazards. Scarves and hood strings can strangle smaller children so use other clothing to keep them warm.
- Check in on warmth. Before kids head outside, tell them to come inside if they get wet or if they’re cold. Then keep watching them and checking in. They may want to continue playing outside even if they are wet or cold.
- Use sunscreen. Children and adults can still get sunburned in the winter. Sun can reflect off the snow, so apply sunscreen to exposed areas.
- Use caution around fires. Wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and outdoor fire-pits are cozy but can present danger – especially to small children. Use caution and put up protective gates when possible. If you’ve lost power or heat and are alternative heating methods like kerosene or electric heaters, be sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
- Get trained and equipped. Children should wear helmets when snowboarding, skiing, sledding or playing ice hockey. And to avoid injuries, teach children how to do the activity safely.
- Prevent nosebleeds. If your child suffers from minor winter nosebleeds, use a cold-air humidifier in their room. Saline nose drops can help keep their nose moist.
- Keep them hydrated. In drier winter air kids lose more water through their breath. Offer plenty of water, and try giving them warm drinks and soup for extra appeal.
- Watch for danger signs. Signs of frostbite are pale, grey or blistered skin on the fingers, ears, nose, and toes. If you think your child has frostbite bring the child indoors and put the affected area in warm (not hot) water. Signs of hypothermia are shivering, slurred speech, and unusual clumsiness. If you think your child has hypothermia call 9-1-1 immediately.
Learn more about cold weather safety at the link below.
Extra Clothing
Missouri Ozarks Community Health Dental Truck
Consent forms will be sent home with students in the next few weeks, so be watching for that.
Tuesday, Feb 20, 2024, 08:30 AM
229 Bryan Street, Houston, MO, USA
How To Contact Me
Feel free to contact me any time you have questions or concerns about your child.
I am here to partner with you to make sure your child receives what they need to succeed in school.
Click the link below to access my school page and links to information and forms you might find helpful.
Amy Smith, RN
Houston Elementary School
417-967-3024 ext. 2240