Nurse Notes
January 2019
10 Healthy New Year's Resolutions For Kids
Well it's 2019 and with a new year brings new year's resolutions. Most of us can't keep up with the things we say we are going to do, but here are some things you might want to explore with your child for the new year.
The following tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
1. I will clean up my toys, and keep my room in good order.
2. I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands before eating and after the bathroom.
3. I won’t tease dogs, even friendly ones – and keep my hands and face away from their mouths.
4. I will drink more milk and water, and limit soda and fruity drinks.
5. I will apply sunscreen before going outdoors.
6. I will find a sport or activity that I like, and do it at least three times a week.
7. I will always wear a helmet when bicycling or boarding.
8. I will wear my seat belt every time I get in the car.
9. I’ll be nice to others, and friendly to kids who need friends – like someone shy or new to school.
10. I’ll never give out personal information or pictures of myself to strangers or over the internet.
January Is National Blood Donor Awareness Month
This January, the American Red Cross celebrates National Blood Donor Month. As we begin the New Year, the Red Cross encourages individuals to resolve to roll up a sleeve to give this month and throughout 2019.
National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter – one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs. During the winter months, inclement weather often results in cancelled blood drives, and seasonal illnesses like the flu may cause some donors to become temporarily unable to donate.
How To Donate Blood
Blood donation appointments can be made by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or to receive more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Need Medicine To Be Given At School?
If your child's medicine is changing this year, or if they are starting long term medication and need it given at school, there's a form for that so please click on the link below.
Over the counter (OTC) medications like Tylenol, Advil or Cortisone Cream do not need a form as long as they are needed for 5 days or less.
Please contact me if you have any questions and I'll be happy to work with you.
When Your Child Is Too Sick For School
Did you ever wonder if you should send your child to school or not? Maybe they haven't vomited in a few hours or had that fever in a while that just lingered for days, your work is calling you and you're wondering if it's okay to get them back in class.
Here is the official policy from LISD when children should be kept home from school. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Lewisville ISD Health Services
Please notify the school nurse or school personnel of any illness or medical condition for which your child is being treated or monitored. A parent, guardian or designated contact will be notified immediately to pick up a child from school who presents with any of the following conditions:
• Signs or symptoms of a communicable disease that cannot be contained at school
• Localized rash causing acute discomfort or systemic rash of undetermined origin
• An oral temperature of 100.0 degrees or greater.
All students must be fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medication, before returning to school.
• Signs or symptoms of acute illness, serious accident/injury
• Vomiting (not related to a single event such as gagging, positioning, mucus, running after eating, or eating spicy food);
all students must be free from vomiting for 24 hours without the aid of medication before returning to school.
• Diarrhea of two or more loose watery stools;
all students must be free from diarrhea for 24 hours without the aid of any medication before returning to school.
• Asthma symptoms that do not respond to prescribed medication or no prescribed medication available for treatment
• Diabetes with a blood sugar greater than 400 and positive ketones or inadequate supplies to treat diabetes at school
• Uncontrolled coughing
• Purulent drainage that cannot be safely managed with bandages
• Pink eye or purulent conjunctivitis (defined as pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow eye discharge);
the student must receive treatment for 24 hours before returning to school or provide a note from a health care provider stating the condition is not contagious and the student may return to school.
• Unexplained rashes
• Live head lice - student may return after treatment at home and being rechecked by the school nurse or designee. We do not send students home for nits only.
• Scabies – student may return once treatment has begun
• Ringworm of the scalp or Ringworm that cannot be covered by clothing or bandage; may return once treatment has begun
• Any student who is too ill or uncomfortable to participate in learning.
Did You Know?
Are you having to repeat yourself to your child? Do they not notice loud noises at home? Do they get headaches when they read, squint, or sit close to the TV?
I can check your child's vision and hearing any time you have a concern. I am a Certified Vision and Hearing screener for Texas and can screen your child in any grade any time you feel there may be a need.
All of our Discovery Academy, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 5th grade students are screened every year by me for possible vision and hearing problems. But, do you have a 2nd grader or 4th grader that you think may need a screening? Just let me know and I'll be happy to help you.
How To Reach Me
Email: MillerRG@lisd.net
Location: 4600 Quail Run, Flower Mound, TX, USA
Phone: 972-350-5915