🦃 November Nurse's Notes: Wellness & Awareness

🩺 Health Observances - Spotlight: Diabetes Awareness

November is National Diabetes Month. 

Warning Signs: Common symptoms of high blood sugar (the "4 Ts"): are increased Thirst, frequent Toileting, Thinner (weight loss), and being Tired.

• School Role: The school nurse works with families and doctors to create an individualized healthcare plan for students with diabetes.

🤧 Cold, Flu, RSV, & COVID-19 Season

As the weather gets colder, respiratory illnesses become more common.

When to Stay Home:

• Fever - a temperature of 100 degrees or higher: Must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication (like Tylenol/Motrin) before returning to school.

  • Vomiting/Diarrhea: Must be free from episodes for 24 hours before returning.

  • Strep Throat/Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning.

• Flu Shot Reminder: We encourage all family members aged 6 months and older to get their annual flu vaccine.

• Basic Prevention: Reinforce good habits: frequent hand washing, covering coughs/sneezes, and avoiding touching the face.

🍽️ Holiday Health & Food Safety

With Thanksgiving approaching, this is a timely topic.

• Allergy Safety: Reminder to parents of students with food allergies (especially peanut/tree nut) to be extra cautious when attending gatherings or traveling. The school nurse needs updated allergy action plans and emergency medications if they are nearing expiration.

• Healthy Choices: Try incorporating more vegetables into a holiday meal.

• Physical Activity: Prioritize moving bodies even during a break. Incorporate fun, family-friendly activities like a post-meal walk or playing outside.

🏃‍♀️ Quick Reminders about Lice  

•  Become educated about head lice.

• Perform regular checks on all individuals in the home.

• Treat a child with head lice as soon as possible and commit to following through
  until there are no longer signs of an infestation.
  

• Teach children how to minimize the chance of getting head lice by avoiding
  head-to-head contact, not sharing hats, combs, brushes, and hair accessories, and by
  containing long hair in braids or ponytails.

Katherine Nimz, RN

McCarthy-Towne Elementary School

11 Charter Rd

Acton, MA  01720

Ph: 978-264-3377, Ext 27202