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.

UMS Field Day: Sun and Heat Safety

It is finally starting to feel like summer and UMS Field Day is happening soon.  Your child will participate in many fun activities and there is not a lot of shade at Airport Park.

Follow these tips to help prevent sunburn and heat related illness.

Sun Safety

• Apply sunscreen before your child comes to school.  Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2-3 hours.  Send sunscreen with your child and show him or her how to use it
• Children should wear a hat and light colored clothing.  
• Send sunglasses if your child has them.

Heat Safety

• Hydration, hydration, hydration!  This is the number one way to prevent heat related illness.
• Your child must bring a water bottle to Field Day.  Encourage your child to drink often.

For more information about sunscreen and sun safety, click here Sun Safety

To learn more about heat safety, click here heat related illnesses

Skin Irritation from Gypsy Moth Caterpillars

Spring has sprung and gypsy moth caterpillars are active.  It is predicted to be a bad year for this invasive pest. The gypsy moth caterpillar is not a fussy eater. It has a preference for leaves of deciduous hardwood trees such as maple, elm, and oak.  However, during heavy infestations, competition for food will drive the caterpillar to attack almost any tree or shrub.

Most problems from caterpillar exposures are due to tiny hairs (setae) or actual spines on a caterpillar's body. Some cause allergic reactions. To learn about how to best remove these tiny hairs and to treat a reaction, open this link:  

Caterpillars and Treatment of Stings

Bicycle Safety

Spring is a great time to learn to ride a bike or improve your skills.
Here is a link to information about bike safety and how a bicycle works.
Have a safe and happy ride.

Bike Safety 101 - A Guide For Parents

Be Tick Smart

Spring is finally here. Flowers are starting to bloom and ticks are active.
The tick in the picture on the right, was removed from a UMS student before the April break.

Tick information materials have been ordered from the Vermont Department of Health. I will send home these cards and booklets as soon as they are available.

Here is a link to resources about ticks and tick borne diseases:  Information about Ticks

Ventolin (Albuterol) HFA Inhaler Recall

GlaxoSmithKline has issued a voluntary recall for some Ventolin (albuterol) HFA inhalers as a precaution.  Due to leaking, the inhaler may contain fewer doses than is indicated on the dose counter.

The three lots affected are:

• 6ZP0003     
• 6ZP9944
• 6ZP9848

For specific information about what to do if your child's inhaler is part of the recall, click on this link from the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America).
GSK voluntary recall of ventolin (albuterol) HFA inhalers

If your child has this brand inhaler at school, I will check the lot number and notify you if it is part of the recall.

Recall of Epi-Pens in United States

The latest recall by Mylan includes Epi-Pens distributed in the United States.

Please check any Epi-Pens you have at home.  I will check all Epi-Pens at school and notify you if your child's Epi-Pen is affected by this recall.

See the link for specific information about the lot numbers and expiration dates.

Recall of Epi-Pens in US

Does your child need daily vitamins?

The short answer is some children need daily vitamins, but most do not.  The best way for your child to get the vitamins he or she needs is from food sources.

For more information, see the attached information from Claire McCarthy MD a pediatrician at Boston Children's Hospital.   Kids don't always need vitamins.

Flu Season Continues into the Spring

The flu (influenza) season had a late start this year and continues into Spring.  Hopefully, March will go "out like a lamb" and signal the end of confirmed flu cases in Vermont.

The best way to protect your child and yourself, is to get annual flu shots.  Please talk to your health care provider before the start of next flu season.

Be well and remember to wash your hands 😀

Click on this link to read more about influenza and what you can do to protect your family.
The Flu: Guide for Parents

Some of you may have received this letter in your child's green folder.  This was sent home if your child may have had contact with someone who was diagnosed with the flu.
Flu Notice 3/24/17

Epi-Pen Recall

This week, Mylan announced a recall of some Epi-Pens.  These Epi-Pens were not distributed in the United States, however, I think it best to make sure any Epi-Pens you have at home are safe. 

Note, if your child has an epi-pen at school, I have checked to make sure his or her epi-pen was not affected by the recall.

Click on the link for further information about this recall:  Mylan brand Epi-Pen recall

Fever

Fever is a common symptom when a child is sick.  Here is further information about fevers from Boston Children's Hospital.

https://thriving.childrenshospital.org/parents-fever-guide/

Medication at School

Are children allowed to bring medication to school?

No, for safety reasons children are not allowed to bring medication to school.  This refers to prescription medications, over the counter medications and homeopathic supplements.

The school nurse is responsible for giving all medications to students.  During field trips, the nurse will delegate medication administration to the child's teacher or support staff member.

Parents are responsible for delivering medications to the school nurse.  Some medications must be counted by both the parent and school nurse.


Click here for copy of  the form to be completed by your child's doctor if your child needs to receive prescription medications at school.




   

Illness Guidelines

My child is sick.  Should he or she stay home?

Sometimes it is easy to decide that your child needs to stay home and other times it's not so clear.

To simplify your decision here are five reasons that indicate your child should stay home:

1. fever in the last 24 hours 
2. vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours
3. a cough that does not stop, or there is something different about your child's breathing
4. pain that is not from something minor
5. he or she was diagnosed with an infection and has been on antibiotics less than 24 hours

For further information, read this article written by a pediatrician. 

Symptoms that mean your child should stay home from school.

p.s. thanks to Josie Lang for sharing the article