llnesses:  Soon it will be cold and Flu season again.  Parents are encouraged NOT to send their child to school if they appear ill.  A child should remain at home for his or her own welfare and for the protection of other students if they have a fever >99 degrees or if they are sick.    

Strep may also present with stomach ache and headache, and kids do not necessarily have a fever.  Once your child is on antibiotics for 24 hours, for strep, then they can return to school.  It is helpful to let the nurse know about any communicable illness, so I may keep track of them.  This information is confidential and left on the absentee voicemail, or my voicemail. 
Encourage your child to wash hands often, drink lots of fluids, get plenty of rest and exercise.  

 

 

FLU: The FLU is a very CONTAGIOUS disease of the respiratory system, easily passed from one person to another by coughing and sneezing.  It starts suddenly with a fever from 102-104 lasting 3-4 days.  Symptoms include headache, severe muscle aches, general weakness/ extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, and runny nose.

Adults can pass the virus for 3-7 days after symptoms start.  Children can pass the virus longer than 7 days. Students should stay at home until symptoms have improved, usually 5-7 days, and there is no fever over 99” for 24 hours.

Children should take non-aspirin pain relievers such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, and should never take aspirin as they may develop a rare but serious disease called Reye’s syndrome.

If you get the FLU, stay at home, rest and drink plenty of liquids.

 

REPIRATORY ILLNESS/ COLDS/ COUGHS:  Respiratory diseases are spread through microscopic droplets from the nose, eye, or throat.  Children should stay at home if they have any of the following:

 

 A severe cold or persistent cough

 Sore throat or swollen glands accompanied by fever

 A fever over 99 degrees during the past 24 hours.

 

Strep Throat: A persistent sore throat, sometimes accompanied by fever or upset stomach, should be evaluated by a physician and a culture for strep should be done.  Sore throats may or may not be present with Strep.  Not all children will have a fever.  Children often complain or a stomachache, and headache.  If a child complains of the above symptoms, notify your pediatrician.  If a diagnosis of Strep is made, students should stay at home until they have had at least 24 hours of antibiotic treatment, AND fever is gone.  It is best to notify the school nurse with the diagnosis

 
Stomach Bug : There has also been a gastrointestinal illness reported at Lincoln.   Kids have complained of nausea, and have vomiting, and / or diarrhea,  not always accompanied with a fever.  Students must remain home until 24 hours without vomiting, and tolerating food/liquids and fever free.    

A sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in classes in a meaningful way.  Keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school and allows the child to rest and recovered

 

 

Medications: If your child needs to take medication during the school day, I am able to give it to them.  Written authorization by the parent/guardian is required for all medications, including over the counter medications. You may find our medication forms on our website under administration and school healthservices.  In addition some medications require authorization by the physician. Children should not be taking medication in school independently.
Nutrition 
Children require nutritionally sound diets to achieve optimal physical growth and development. Proper nutrition coupled with regular physical activity provides immediate and long-term benefits.  Please send your child to school with healthysnacks.  Your role is crucial in helping your child have adequate nutritional intake and you can strongly influence your child’s food preferences. 
 
Pediculosis (headlice):  Pediculosis is common in school age children all over the world.  We have already had several cases detected by parents. We need your help throughout the school year in finding and reporting any cases.   Please remember to check your child/s heads a couple times a week.  It is best to do this under bright light, and for at
least 20 minutes.  If a case of lice is found, please inform the school nurse. Students may return to school once they have seen the nurse and after appropriate treatment.  If anyone needs assistance in detecting, treating, or preventing headlice, please feel free to contact LynnVozzella at 781-721-7017 ext 4.  Here are some excellent teaching websites:
http://www.state.ma.us/dph/
www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/default.htm

click here for additional info on dealing with lice.
 

 

 

Thank you for your time and here is to a safe, healthy and fun school year!
Lynn Vozzella (school nurse)781-721-7017 ext 4