Happy New Year from the Health Office
Happy New Year From the Health Office
Dressing for the Season
Please remember that with the exception of extremely cold or snowy days, students are expected to go outside for recess. This means students need to wear winter jackets, hats and gloves. If there is snow on the ground, please make sure they have snow pants and snow boots. Fashion suede boots are not waterproof and knit gloves eventually get cold and wet from the snow. Prolonged exposure to the cold with wet hands and feet may lead to frostbite. If possible, please pack a change of pants and socks in a plastic bag in your child’s backpack. The health office has a limited change of clothing available.
Staying Healthy
With flu season upon us, illness is on the rise. There are many preventative measures that can be initiated at home. Proper hand washing is extremely important. Please observe how your child washes his or her hands. Make sure all parts of the hands are being washed thoroughly with soap and water for at least 10 seconds. Reinforce your child to use a Kleenex and to cover his or her cough using their elbow. If your child is ill with vomiting or has a fever greater than 100.0 he or she should remain at home. Your child needs to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. Also, student must not have vomited for 24 hours as well before returning to school.
Medication at School
Please do not send your child to school with over the counter medications such as cough drops or Children’s Tylenol. Cough drops pose a choking risk and in some instances a child may even innocently share them with another child. This can lead to a very dangerous and potentially life threatening situation. District 59 policy states that all medication, even the over-the counter ones, needs medication form H-25 completed by your child’s physician. If you feel that your child absolutely needs medication at school, please contact the health office at (847) 472-3445.
PE & Recess Excusals
All students who stay indoors for recess due to health issues need a note sent to school. A signed parent note is acceptable for one day. A signed doctor’s note is required for an extended period of time. The note must state the reason for the excusal as well as the duration. This is the same for gym excusals. Please evaluate your children in the morning; if they seem too sick for recess, maybe they need to stay home one more day.
Vision and Hearing
Vision and hearing referral letters were sent home several weeks ago. It is very important for you to follow up with you physician if you received a hearing referral and the eye doctor for vision referrals as soon as possible. If there is an issue with a student’s vision or hearing, it may hinder the learning.
