🍎School Nurse Newsletter: Focus on Flu Prevention and Wellness

As flu season approaches and we focus on important health observances, here is some information and a few friendly reminders to help keep our students healthy and ready to learn.

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🤧 Flu and Cold Prevention: Arm Yourself Against Seasonal Illness

Now is the perfect time to take action against the seasonal flu. The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent influenza and reduce the risk of serious complications.

• Get Vaccinated: Encourage your children and all family members to get their annual flu shot as soon as it's available. The flu virus changes each year, so a new vaccine is needed every season.
• Frequent Handwashing: This is a simple but powerful defense against germs. Remind your child to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing.
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• Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Teach your child to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, not their hands. Tissues should be thrown away immediately, and hands should be washed.
• Stay Home When Sick: Please keep your child home if they have a fever (100 °F or higher), are vomiting, or have diarrhea. They should be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication (like Tylenol or Advil) before returning to school.

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🍽️ Nutrition Corner: Healthy Holiday Alternatives

With Halloween upon us, we are often surrounded by extra sweets. While a few treats are okay, let's keep the focus on healthy eating habits to fuel learning.

• Balanced Diet: Ensure your child starts the day with a healthy, balanced breakfast to give them the energy they need for a full day of school.
• Mindful Snacking: Pack nutritious snacks and lunches. Encourage fruits, vegetables, and whole grains over high-sugar, low-nutrient foods.
• Water Over Sugar: Promote drinking water instead of sugary sodas or juices. Staying hydrated helps with concentration and overall health.

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🩺 School Health Office Reminders

• Medication Updates: If your child requires any medication (prescription or over-the-counter) to be administered at school, please ensure the nurse's office has the required signed orders from your healthcare provider and the parent/guardian.
• Emergency Plans: If your child has a chronic condition like Asthma, Severe Allergies (EpiPen), or Diabetes, please confirm that their Emergency Action Plan for the current school year is on file and up-to-date with the school nurse.
• Contact Information: Please notify the school immediately if there is any change to your emergency contact numbers or health insurance information.