Nurse's Notes

SUNSCREEN- It is important to apply sunscreen even if you already have a tan. Damage to young skin can lead to problems later in life. Don't forget to put it on the children before ball games- especially behind the ears and the back of the neck.

TICKS-Check your child from head to toe after playing outside. The tick should be removed as soon as possible. DO NOT APPLY HEAT or VASELINE. Use fine point tweezers- DO NOT SQUEEZE THE BODY. It should be grasped by the mouthparts that enter the skin- tug gently and repeatedly until it releases. Be patient- it takes time. Wipe the area with antiseptic after removing the tick.

	News from Mrs. Dorry Please call my office, (624-3474, press 2 at recording.) to report any absence and follow up your call with an absent note to be sent to your child's teacher upon return to school. Thank you
	New Information - Spring 2006 There is a change in the physical and dental requirements. New York State Education Law requires that all new students and those entering kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades have a physical and dental exam. Look for the forms in the report card envelopes in June. Please return the forms in September.
	SPRING AND SUMMER REMINDERS SUNSCREEN- It is important to apply sunscreen even if you already have a tan. Damage to young skin can lead to problems later in life. Don't forget to put it on the children before ball games- especially behind the ears and the back of the neck. TICKS-Check your child from head to toe after playing outside. The tick should be removed as soon as possible. DO NOT APPLY HEAT or VASELINE. Use fine point tweezers- DO NOT SQUEEZE THE BODY. It should be grasped by the mouthparts that enter the skin- tug gently and repeatedly until it releases. Be patient- it takes time. Wipe the area with antiseptic after removing the tick.
	SLEEP: The transition from summer to the school schedule is difficult for the children. It is important that they get a good night’s sleep so they keep up their energy level to get through the day.
	LICE: Those critters seem to multiply in the summer and fall months due to sleepovers at friends and sleepover camp. Please check your child’s head frequently starting at the nape of the neck and behind the ears. If you treat your child for head lice please notify me so I can check the classmates to help limit the spread.
	STREP THROAT: If your child has a throat culture done at the physician’s office, please keep them home until you have the results. Clarkstown’s policy is still 48 hrs. A student can return after 24hrs. ONLY if accompanied by a physician’s note and is well enough to return.
	TEMPERATURE: If your child has an elevated temperature (over 100 degrees) in the evening or morning before school and exhibits symptoms of a cold, cough or sore throat, keep him/her home and seek the advice of your physician. A child should remain at home for 24 hrs after an elevated temperature returns to normal.
	RASH: If your child has a rash that is itchy or oozing, keep him/her home and seek the advice of your physician.
	HEALTHY SNACKS: One of my goals here @ West Nyack School is to promote healthy eating habits for our growing students. Please remember- no candy, cookies, cupcakes, chips, etc. for morning snacks. Birthday celebration treats will be given out after lunch. Some suggestions for a healthy snack- apples, bananas, carrots, celery, crackers, granola bars, popcorn, pretzels, raisins or yogurt. PLEASE LIMIT SNACK TIME TO ONE DRINK AND ONE SNACK.
	PEANUT ALLERGY: Over the last few years there has been an increase in peanut allergies here @ West Nyack School. As a courtesy to their fellow classmates, please do not send any type of peanut snack in with your child. Peanut allergies can be life threatening in some children even by just touching any peanut residue. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

	HAND WASHING: Remains the number one defense against germs. Remind them to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing and then to wash their hands. Wash their hands especially after going to the bathroom and before eating. Repeat this to them on a daily basis to make sure it becomes a lifetime habit.
	FYI: Asthma and Allergy-exposure to smoking and allergens, such as house pets, dusty environments, and cockroaches, increase the probability that a child will develop asthma. The greater the exposure level, the greater the risk
	REMEMBER: The call-in-system 624-3474. My answering machine is on all night so you can call and leave a message the night before as the morning hours tend to be busy and you are more likely to get a busy signal. If your child is going to be absent or late, I would appreciate a call. An absent note MUST accompany your child on the return to school even if you used the call-in-system. Please make every effort to get your child to school ON TIME. It is a good habit to instill when they are young. It is disruptive to the class and the teacher to have a child arrive late when class has already begun plus stressful for the student as he misses those first important instructions for the day.
	MEDICATION: Clarkstown Central School District Policy re: Medicine must be brought in the original container with the child’s name, medication dosage and frequency. A WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION signed by the doctor must accompany this. A note from the parent with permission to give the medication and the nature of the illness would be appreciated.
	Hope this new school year brings you and your children good health.
	Joan Dorry, R.N. School Nurse