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School Health Regulations

Health Office

Happy Valentine's Day!

With the upcoming holiday, I would like to share the following Valentine's Day tips with you.  They are from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Use plenty of positive words with your child.

• Respond promptly and lovingly to your child's physical and emotional needs and banish put-downs from your parenting vocabulary.

• Make an extra effort to set a good example at home and in public.  Use words like "I'm sorry", "please", and "thank you."

• When your child is angry, argumentative or in a bad mood, give him a hug, cuddle, pat, secret sign or other gesture of affection he favors.

Patricia A. Zito, R.N.,M.S

• Use non-violent forms of discipline. Parents should begin instituting both rewards and restrictions many years before adolescence to prevent trouble during the teenage years.  Once youngsters reach adolescence, allowing them to break important rules constantly without being disciplined only encourages more rule violations.

• Make plans to spend half a day alone with your young child or teen doing something he enjoys.

• Mark family game nights on your calendar so the entire family can be together.  Put a different family member's name under each date, and have that person choose which game will be played that evening.

• Owning a pet can make children, and especially those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, feel better by stimulating physical activity, enhancing their overall attitude, and offering constant companionship.

• One of the best ways to familiarize your child with good food choices is to encourage him to cook with you.  Let him get involved in the entire process, from planning the menus to shopping for ingredients to the actual food preparation and its serving.

• As your child grows up, she'll spend most of her time developing and refining a variety of skills and abilities in all areas of her life.  You should help her as much as possible by encouraging her and providing the equipment and instruction she needs.

• Your child's health depends significantly on the care and guidance you offer during his early years.  By taking your child to the doctor regularly for consultations, keeping him safe from accidents, providing a nutritious diet, and encouraging exercise throughout childhood, you help protect and strengthen his body.

• Regardless of whether you actively try to pass on your values and beliefs to your child, he is bound to absorb some of them just by living with you.  He'll notice how disciplined you are in your work, how deeply you hold your beliefs and whether you practice what you preach.

• One of your most important gifts as a parent is to help your child develop self-esteem.  Your child needs your steady support and encouragement to discover his strengths.  He needs you to believe in him as he learns to believe in himself.  Loving him, spending time with him, listening to him and praising his accomplishments are all part of this process.

• Don't forget to say, "I love you" to children of all ages!

Is your child too sick for school?

When should your child stay home?

Here are a few guidelines to follow:

• Fever is an important symptom; when it occurs along with a sore throat, nausea, listlessness, or a rash, your child could be carrying something very contagious.  Your child needs to stay home during the course of the fever and for an additional 24 hours after the fever has passed.

• Diarrhea and vomiting make children very uncomfortable.  If your child has vomited or had repeated episodes of diarrhea, especially if accompanied by a fever, a rash, or general weakness, consult your doctor and keep your child out of school.  Your child must have no diarrhea or vomiting for 24 hours and must have tolerated a full meal before returning to school.

• Strep throat and scarlet fever are two highly contagious conditions caused by a streptococcal (bacterial) infection.  They usually, but not always, arrive with a sore throat and a high fever.  Some 12 to 48 hours after the onset of scarlet fever, a rash will also appear.  A child with strep throat or scarlet fever should be kept home and treated by antibiotics, prescribed by your doctor.  After 48 hours on the antibiotic, your child may return to school, if he is fever free and feels okay.  Strep tests are also available at school for $5.00.  Please contact Mrs. Zito, if you want your child tested.

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is highly contagious and uncomfortable.  So if your child wakes up with a “crusty” eye, if it is bloodshot and she complains of an eye or eyes burning, itching and producing a whitish discharge, please call your doctor.  Minor cases (caused by a virus) and severe cases (caused by bacteria) require treatment with prescription eye drops.  Your child may return to school after 24 hours on the eye drops and if the eye appears to be clear.

Remember to follow all the guidelines to stay healthy.  Wash hands very often; eat healthy food; drink lots of water; exercise often; get enough rest and stay home if you are sick.  Try to stay away from others who are sick.