Susan Gardner-Garri, School Nurse
Ph. 892-7735 ext 514

Worried about the Swine Flu?
>> Click here to read all about what parents and children can do to prevent this from spreading.

From Nurse Susan: Protect your child from the FLU!
Influenza (Flu) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that is caused by the influenza virus. It is more than a cold. It is not just vomiting and diarrhea. Most people will feel tired, achy and have a high fever.

Symptoms also include a dry cough, red eyes, sore throat and runny nose. The cough can last two weeks.

Ear infections, sinus infections, and pneumonia can be complications of the flu. The flu causes asthma symptoms to become worse.

What can you do to protect your child from getting the flu?
It helps if everyone in the family gets a flu vaccine. The flu is spread easily in schools where others may be coughing, sneezing and have runny noses. Groceries carts may be contaminated with the flu virus. Gym equipment may harbor the virus as well. Everyday you can take steps to prevent the spread of flu by washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping your hands away from your face.

The best way to protect against the flu is to have your child vaccinated. It has to be done every year. Flu shots can be given to children 6 months and older. A nasal spray vaccine can be given to children 2 years and older. The flu shot has to be given to those children who have asthma or another medical condition.

Staying Healthy:

• Hand washing is the single most important way to control the spread of infection.  Wash your hands often. Show your children how to wash their hands with soap and water and make certain they wash often.
•  Sleep is important to staying healthy.  Make sure you get enough sleep.  Have a regular bed time for your children. Make reading a part of the routine. It’s a great way to distress. Make the bedroom a TV-free zone.
•  Children who eat regular healthy meals and snacks (including breakfast) make better learners.  Get in the habit of eating meals as a family.  It is a time for sharing and showing your children that you are eating healthy too.
•  Make sure that your child is fully immunized.  If your child is 4 years old s/he needs a booster of Dtap, IPV, and MMR.  All preschoolers (3 and 4 year olds) need one dose of Hepatitis A vaccine this school year. Get flu vaccine for yourself and your children in the fall this year. There will be more about this in the next newsletter.

How to help your child learn how to pay attention.

Healthy Snacking ideas from Nurse Susan!

• Keep cut up vegetables in a container in the refrigerator so that it is easy to reach for a healthy snack.
• Make a fresh fruit bowl the centerpiece of your kitchen table and fill it with colorful fruits like bananas, apples and pears.
• Choose the smaller size fruits whenever possible.
• When you have time, try these snacks or mini meals on wooden skewers.
• Let your child help you prepare one of these simple recipes:
  • Fruit and cheese: Alternate any available fruit, canned or fresh, with chunks of low fat cheese on a skewer or a pretzel stick.
  • Tortellini treat: Cook low-fat cheese tortellini according to package directions. Put them on wooden skewers with grape tomatoes, cubes of skim mozzarella cheese, olives, and any other veggies.
  • Chicken-Veggie: Cut boneless, skinless chicken breast into 1-inch cubes. Thread onto metal skewers along with whole mushrooms and cut-up red and green peppers. Brush with Italian dressing and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Other nutrition information on our site...

Things to Remember
All medication will be administered according to the RRPS medication policies and procedures. A complete copy of these policies and procedures can be obtained by clicking here, or by visiting the school health office. Medicines must be in their original containers. A medication form must be completed by the parent for all medicines to be administered.

Immunization Updates
Your child will need to have immunization updates after their 4th birthday. Please bring a copy of the updated shot record to the clinic so that we may update your child’s shot records. If your child is sick at the time of the scheduled appointment, the physician may elect to give the immunization depending on their symptoms and whether or not they are running a fever. Your physician will have a complete list of needed immunizations. Sandoval County Public Health Offices provides free immunizations for children ages 0-18 to those families with no insurance. You may contact them for appointment times at 867-2291.

When can your child return to school?
1) When your child has been fever free for 24 hours without the aide of fever reducing medication (i.e. Tylenol or Motrin).

2) When your child can hold down solid foods without nausea or vomiting.

3) When your child has had no diarrhea for 24 hours.

Time to get the wax out?
Never use a Q-tip or insert anything into your child’s ear drum as you can easily puncture the ear drum that way. There is no reason to clean ear wax out of your child’s ear as it will come out on its own. Using a Q-tip will only pack the wax farther into the ear canal causing what is known as a “wax impaction”. Wax impactions can affect the hearing if left untreated. When cleaning your child’s ears, use a wet washcloth or cotton swab to clean the outside of the ear canal. Consult your pediatrician if there is a concern about wax build up so that it can be removed safely. You can also visit this website to read all about ear wax!