The Monthly Mustang
The Official Newsletter for Wedgwood School Families
February 2018
Phillie Phanatic Visits Wedgwood For Celebration
During the assembly, The Phillie Phanatic presented Wedgwood's library media specialist, Mrs. Dabrowski, with a certificate recognizing our school's accomplishment. He then took a trip back to colonial Philadelphia and acted out the events in the book The Phillie Phanatic's Philly Story, while Mr. Zimmerman narrated the text. Some of Wedgwood's most diligent readers participated in the humorous storytime, before the Phanatic led the crowd in a rendition of his favorite song, Take Me Out To The Ballgame. It was a day our young readers will not soon forget!
Wedgwood Students Meet The Phanatic
The Phanatic and Mr. Zimmerman Get The Party Started
Wedgwood's Very Important Readers
Wedgwood Students Have Read Over 1,700 Books
He's a Phanatic About Reading
The Phanatic And Mrs. Dabrowski Celebrate The Students' Achievement
Mr. Renzi Recognized By County Freeholder For Saving Student's Life
The Flu and You: Guidelines For Keeping You and Your Child Healthy For School
Please note the following update from the Nurse’s Office for all parents and guardians of Wedgwood students:
Our office has seen recent cases of stomach virus with and without fever, and flu activity appears to be increasing. In the last few weeks, seven documented cases have been reported to our school nurse. When the child is placed under a physician's care, the flu symptoms are usually halted abruptly and the student's condition improves dramatically. If the child is fever free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medicine, the child may return to school after 48 hours of physician's care as long as there are no other flu symptoms such as cough, lethargy, and tiredness.
Please feel free to contact our school nurse by phone at (856) 227-8110, or via email at dsernicola@wtps.org with any questions or concerns about your child's health. We take the flu and other illnesses very seriously and work to keep our school very healthy. As we all know, proper amounts of sleep and nutrition both play a role in keeping our bodies and immune system working to stay healthy and fight illness. The flu shot still works despite reports that it has not been as effective this year. It is still not too late to get your flu shot. Our Nurse’s Office keeps a log of students who receive the shot, so please notify the school when your child receives a flu vaccine if you haven't done so already.
A Flu FAQ: Developed by the NJ Department of Health
What is influenza (also called flu)?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine(https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm) each year.
What are the signs and symptoms of the flu?
People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms that usually start suddenly, not gradually:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (very tired)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in young children than in adults
How does the flu spread?
The flu virus is spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
When can a person with the flu spread it to others?
You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Although people with the flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins, some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others with flu viruses for an even longer time.
Should I get the flu vaccine now?
It is not too late to get vaccinated. All people 6 months of age and older are recommended to annually receive the influenza vaccine. Getting vaccinated yourself protects people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illnesses, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions. While flu vaccine is not perfect and some people who get vaccinated may still get the flu, there is some data to suggest that flu vaccination may make the illness milder.
How can I protect my child from catching the flu?
In addition to getting an annual influenza vaccine, following everyday preventive actions can help protect your child from the flu and from other contagious illnesses as well. Teach your child to:
- Wash hands frequently, especially before eating.
- Get in the habit of not touching his/her eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Not share “bites” of finger foods, spoons, forks, drinking cups or bottles with friends.
What should I do if my child is sick?
- As always, you should keep your sick child home. Do not send him/her to school/daycare. Use your judgement to decide if your child can recover at home with rest and fluids, or needs to see a doctor. Call your family doctor if you have questions, and follow his/her advice.
- Although antibiotics are not effective against viruses, antiviral medicines can help shorten the flu’s course. These medications are available only by prescription and are usually not needed in mild cases. Once again, you should follow your family doctor’s advice about your child’s care.
- Keep tissues close to the sick person and have a trash bag within reach.
- Children who are sick with flu-like illness should stay home for until they are 24 hours fever free without fever reducing medications.
For more information go to the New Jersey Department of Health flu website at http://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/flu.shtml. Follow on Twitter @njdeptofhealth, facebook at NJDeptofHealth, Instagram @njdeptofhealth and Snapchat @njdoh.
LOST AND FOUND
With the arrival of cold weather, we have many coats and sweaters piled high in the attendance office. If your child is missing items, please check our Lost and Found, currently on display in the main lobby. Be sure to label all coats, jackets and lunch boxes with your child’s name to help ensure their return.
Guidelines for Student Medication
Please note that all medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) that are to be administered to students during school hours may be done so only in compliance of our Board of Education Policy and New Jersey State Law.
If your child requires medication during the school day, the following must be on file in the health office:
- Specific written instructions from the physician. Medication permission forms can be obtained in the health office.
- Written permission from the parent or guardian.
- The medication brought in by a parent/guardian in its original container and labeled by the pharmacy.
Please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Sernicola, at (856) 227-8110 or via email at dsernicola@wtps.org with any questions.
Wedgwood PTO Update
Restaurant Night
Our PTO's next Restaurant Night fundraiser will take place at Amalfi Pizza, at 201 Egg Harbor Road, in Sewell. Don't cook dinner on Wednesday, February 21, mention Wedgwood at the register and a percentage of your sale will go toward benefiting our students! This event is dine-in only from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Gertrude Hawk
Get your holiday chocolates now and avoid the last minute scramble! Gertrude Hawk Chocolate sales begin Tuesday, February 20, and will last through the end of the month.
Book Fair
Mark your calendars: Our school's Scholastic Spring Book Fair will take place the week of March 5. Students will visit the book fair during their regularly-scheduled library class. In addition, we will have our popular Book Fair Family Night event on Wednesday, March 7 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Our PTO is in need of volunteers to help facilitate the book fair. Sign up online to volunteer at: http://signup.com/go/Mwg2r1
Box Tops and Soda Tabs
Thank you to all the students that have collected Box Tops! Congratulations to Mrs Garten's class for submitting the most Box Tops during the month of December. These awesome fourth graders won an extra period of phys. ed.! Keep on sending in your Box Tops. Our numbers are very low this year. Also, if you are collecting soda tabs, please send them in with your student. The Wedgwood PTO collects the soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House of Philadelphia.
Thank you to all our Wedgwood Mustang Volunteers and Teachers/Staff for always taking time out of their busy day to help out at our events!
Wedgwood PTO Meeting Schedule - 2017-2018
- Wednesday, February 21 - 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, March 16 - 9:30 a.m.
- Friday, April 13 - 9:30 a.m.
- Friday. May 18 - 9:30 a.m.
Wedgwood PTO Executive Committee 2017-2018:
President - Danielle J Moore
Vice President - Renee Watson
Acting Secretary - Justine Valentino
Treasurer and Financial - Christina DeLuca & Elizabeth Schmidt
Member-At-Large: Pamela Burns
Be sure to "Like" Wedgwood PTO's Facebook Page!
- Wedgwood PTO
Sign Up For Wedgwood School's Remind
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures For Students
Help us keep students and adults safe! Please click here to review Wedgwood's Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Students.
Dates At A Glance: February 2018
February 16 - Early Dismissal: Staff Inservice - 2:05 p.m.
February 19 - SCHOOL CLOSED: Presidents' Day
February 20 - TWP Tuesday
February 21 - Family Night: NO HOMEWORK!Wedgwood Elementary School
Email: czimmerman@wtps.org
Website: wtps.org/wedgwood
Location: 236 Hurffville Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
Phone: (856) 227-8110
Facebook: facebook.com/wedgwoodwtps
Twitter: @wedgwoodwtps