News from the Nurse:
FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mornings are so important for setting the tone for the rest of the day for our children. Getting kids up for school can be a struggle for some families. Here are some recommendations from the health department to help mornings go a little smoother:
Ø Lay out clothes ahead of time. These should include daily clothes and outside garments, i.e. hats, gloves, mittens and boots.
Ø Prepare your child’s school bag the night before with shoes, homework and other items needed for the following day.
Ø If you have multiple kids trying to get ready in the morning, you may want a shower schedule. For example, girls in the morning and boys in the evening. Set an alarm and allow each person so many minutes.
Ø Create a check list of things to be completed each morning, i.e. comb hair, brush teeth, make bed, get snack, and eat breakfast. Hang it in a central location. This can be made fun. You could give out stars and a small reward could be given after they receive a certain amount.
Ø Have your children go to bed at the same time each night.
Ø Limit caffeine products which make it more difficult for kids to fall asleep.
Ø Turn off the TV at night. Kids with TV’s in their room have been observed to sleep less number of hours. The recommended numbers of hours are listed below:
Newborns – typically sleep an average of 11 to 18 hours in a 24-hour period
Infants – 9 to 12 hours a night, with several naps throughout the day
Toddlers – 12 to 14 hours of sleep, this includes a one to three hour nap
Preschoolers – 11 to 13 hours each night, typically giving up the daytime nap
Children (ages 5-12) – 10 to 11 hours each night
Teenagers – 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Yes, that’s 9 to 10 hours!
Ø Set alarms to get kids up in the morning and stick to it. If you find that you are routinely behind schedule you may need to adjust your wake up time.
~ Jean Pringle, LPN
CHICKEN POX –
Chicken pox (varicella) is in the area. We have not had any cases
at PES, but there are several in Rutland County.
Chicken pox is a contagious viral disease that is spread by direct contact,
or respiratory secretions that contain the virus. Symptoms usually
begin 10-21 days after exposure to the infection. The symptoms may
include slight fever, complaints of being tired and not wanting to eat. The
macule (flat spots), papule (solid bump) and vesicle (fluid filled spots) lesions
develop rapidly once they begin. All three stages of the rash may
be present in varying degrees at one time.
A person is contagious from 1 day before the eruption of the lesions until all
of the lesions have crusted. The rash starts as small, flat, red
areas (macule) that soon become raised (papule), itchy, round, fluid filled
blisters (vesicles) against a red background. More clusters of spots
will continue to develop and crust for five days. The majority of
the spots should be crusted by the sixth day and most disappear in fewer than
20 days.
Depending on the severity of the illness most spots are located on the trunk,
but the fact, arms and legs may have a few spots. In severe cases
the entire body can be covered. Wet compresses may help soothe the
itching. It is important not to itch the lesions because the rash
can become infected. Scratching the lesions may also cause scarring. Fingernails
should be kept short, hands clean, frequent changes to clean and dry clothes.
It is also important NOT TO USE ASPIRIN or any products containing aspirin to
avoid the chance of developing Reyes Syndrome. Make sure to read
all labels carefully, because many products, such as Alka Seltzer or Pepto-Bismol,
do contain aspirin.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 287-5212.
~ School Nurse