Nurse's Notes
Ocean Township Elementary School
I would like to offer a few reminders to aid in keeping your children healthy this year:
1. Review proper handwashing at home with your children. I also encourage the teachers to allow time to wash their hands before eating lunch and/or snack, after playtime and after toileting.
The BEST defense against germs is frequent and proper handwashing. I encourage parents to pack a small bottle of hand sanitizer, a small pack of tissues, as well as some Chap Stick that students can keep in their desks. Anything we can do to get through the cold and flu season with as little illness as possible seems well worth the effort!
2. I see many students with headaches, fatigue, weakness, dizziness and/or nosebleeds. Most of these conditions are due to lack of circulating body fluid or water. When I ask students what they have had to drink that day the answers range from nothing to a few ounces of milk, juice or water all day! PLEASE encourage and remind your children about the importance of drinking at least 4-6 glasses of water each day. Juices and milk are okay, but they don't provide the body the same benefits as just plain H20. This is a great time to get them in the habit of carrying a water bottle around with them. Our teachers understand the importance of adequate water intake and permit water bottles in the classrooms.
3. Dressing in layers is often the easiest way to plan for the many variations in temperature. We will be going outside for recess twice a day as long as it's not raining or during winter,if temperature is above 32 degrees. Additionally, students will be going outside for gym classes whenever weather permits. Students who come to school without a jacket,sweater or sweatshirt will not permitted to go outside in the cooler weather. I do have a few extra jackets, etc. that I allow students to borrow for recess, but please try to make sure your child is dressed appropriately when they leave for school in the morning.
4. Proper footwear is essential during the school day. As tempting as it may be to wear clogs , dressy smooth soled shoes, flip-flops and open-toed sandals; NONE of these are safe on the playground. I see many students every day with twisted ankles, bruised and bleeding arms, knees, and fractured limbs due to improper footwear! Please check to ensure that your child is wearing SAFE footwear to school every day.
Reminder: Weather permitting; students will be going outside for recess twice daily and for gym classes. Students are strongly encouraged to wear sneakers for gym days. If a student is not wearing safe shoes he/she will not be permitted to participate in gym. Many parents simply keep an extra pair of sneakers in their child's locker for gym days.
5. If your child's temperature is 100 or higher, is vomiting or had diarrhea, they need to be stay at home, and be symptom free for 24 hrs. This means a return to a normal temperature (below 99.) for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school.
6. I see many students who have not had breakfast before school. They are usually complaining of stomach pains or headache and report that they have not eaten since dinner the night before. Please be sure your child comes to school well nourished, having breakfast, morning snack, lunch money, or a packed lunch. I know that mornings can be hectic for families. If there is not time for a healthy breakfast, at least give your child a cereal bar or piece of fruit to eat on the way to school. Please remember to provide your child with the good nutrition necessary to do their BEST during the school day!
7. IMMUNIZATIONS AND PHYSICALS
Reminder to all incoming pre-school, kindergarten and new students: NJ State law and district policy requires that all immunizations be up to date upon entering school. New students transferring from another State/Country have a 30 day grace period from their first day of school to get their immunizations and copy of a physical examination into the health office. After the 30 days, your child can be excluded from school. If you are new to the area, please contact Monmouth County Health Department if you need a physician.
Thank you for your cooperation in working to achieve our mutual goal of having a safe, successful and healthy school year at OTES!
Leslie Huhn, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ
School Nurse