Be a Tick Detective and Be Tick Smart

The best way to prevent tickborne diseases is to prevent tick bites. In Vermont, tickborne illnesses are most often transmitted between early spring and late fall since ticks are most active during warm months.

Take action to decrease your risk of infection. Wear a repellent containing up to 30% DEET, check your body daily for ticks, and limit your exposure to ticks and tick habitats.

Poster for kids:  Be a tick detective

Information for adults:  Be tick smart.


Reference card will be sent home soon Be Tick Smart Card

Car Seat Safety

A few facts about the safest way you child can ride in a car.

• Stage 1: Infants and young toddlers  should be in a rear facing car seat, in the back seat, until at least age 2. 
• Stage 2:  Older toddlers and  young  children should be in a forward facing car seat, in the back seat.  Every car seat is different. Please check the label on the seat for the height and weight limits.
• Stage 3:  Children should ride in a booster seat,  in the back seat.
• Stage 4:  Children who outgrow their booster seats should ride in the back seat and wear a lap and shoulder belt.  All children under the age of 13 need to ride in the back seat and wear a lap and shoulder belt.

For more information, click on this link  Be Seat Smart


Your child is coming home today  with this card from the Vermont Department of Health.



Prescription Drug Take Back Day is 4/28/18

Safely dispose of your expired and unwanted medications on Saturday, April 28, 2018.

For more information, click on any of these links:

www.healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugs/services/prescription-drug-disposal
https://www.chittendenpreventionnetwork.com/rx-disposal-locations.html
https://takebackday.dea.gov/

Influenza (Flu)

The most recent information from the CDC indicates "widespread flu (influenza) activity" in Vermont and across the country. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm.  

Here's a few reminders to help keep your family healthy.

• Wash your hands frequently!! This is the BEST way to keep yourself (and your family) healthy. Lather for 20 seconds; don't forget your thumbs, fingernails, and the back of your hands; turn off the faucet with a paper towel. 

• If you haven't received your flu shot, please consider getting one to help prevent the spread of flu. Even though the effectiveness is lower this year (about 30%)  it is still better than zero protection.  

• Please remember to keep your child home if he or she is sick. Your child should not return to school until at least 24 hours after the fever has resolved (without fever reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Advil)

Is it a cold or the flu?  Should you call your child's pediatrician?  
Click on the  Flu Decision Chart


What are the serious warning signs of flu?  If you or your child has these symptoms, get treatment at the nearest emergency room right away.  Flu symptoms and complications

HEALTH AND WELLNESS / ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM

Healthy students are better learners. The American Academy of Pediatrics’
Bright Futures recommends an annual well-child exam to address the physical,
social and emotional needs of students. Doing so promotes attendance, enhances
the student's ability to fully access and enjoy the educational experience and
promotes better academic outcomes.

Click on this link to see the the AAP Bright Futures  recommendations for preventative
care:

www.aap.org/en-us/Documents/periodicity_schedule.pdf

Northern New England Poison Center

The Northern New England Poison Center is a wonderful resource.  You can call the center for advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   1-800-222-1222

Some examples of calls I have made to NNE Poison Control:

• Help with identifying berries a student ate from the back field.
• Help with identifying unmarked medication brought to school.
• Recommended treatment of a child who bit into an ice pack.

NNE Poison Control Center

Is it safe to treat teething pain with teething gels?  See their recent post: 

https://www.nnepc.org/med-safety/is-it-safe-to-give-your-child-orajel-or-anbesol

1-800-222-1222

Food Ingredient Verification for Allergy Aware Classrooms

2017/2018 

ALLERGY AWARE CLASSROOMS
Frequently Asked Questions

What is an allergy aware classroom?

In this classroom there are students who have one or more food allergies.  The goals of the allergy aware classroom are to make everyone (students, parents and staff) aware of the allergies and to work together to limit the student's exposure to possible allergens.  All students are taught the following:

• We will wash our hands.
• We will not share food.
• We will clean our tables

If my child's classmate is allergic to peanuts, can my child eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the classroom?
Yes,  your child may eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the classroom as long as they follow the 3 safety rules (no sharing of food, must wash hands after eating, table must be cleaned after eating).

What about birthdays and celebrations?
For these occasions, all shared treats must be safe for all students to eat.  
Check with me at least 48 hours before the party so I can verify the safety of the treat.  You can send in a copy of the ingredients with your child, or email me a picture of the ingredients.


Which classrooms are "allergy aware classrooms" this year?

• Mrs. Anderson - no peanuts, tree nuts or eggs*
• *eggs are okay if ingredient in baked goods
• Ms. Collins -  no peanuts, tree nuts or eggs * 
• *eggs are okay if ingredient in baked goods
• Mrs. Mulcahy - no peanuts or tree nuts
• Miss Ransom - no peanuts or tree nuts

Contact me if you have any questions.  Thank you in advance for keeping all students safe.