Nurse+Notes-+Fall.Winter

NOTES FROM THE NURSE ** Cold and flu season is fast approaching.** We are holding a flu shot clinic for students here at WHS. The “flu” is a respiratory illness spread by cough, sneeze, or nasal discharge. Symptoms of the “flu” include high fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and muscle aches. Students should stay home from school with flu symptoms and return only after being fever free for 24 hours. **Remember,** you cannot get the “flu” from the flu vaccine! Get yours today! Germs are easily passed from child to child at school. Please keep your child at home with fever of 100.0 degrees or more, with diarrhea and/or vomiting within the last 24 hours. Please **do not** send your child to school until he/she has been free from fever for 24 hours. **Hand-washing** is a key factor in warding off illness. Encourage hand-washing after using the bathroom, before and after eating, and upon return home from school. Remind your child to dress appropriately for the weather and outdoor recess. It is getting cold outside. A jacket, hat, gloves/mittens, snow pants and boots (during winter) are necessary to participate in outdoor activities. Don’t forget to pack a pair of shoes to change into at school. The nurse’s office **does not** have a supply of shoes/boots to borrow. Please contact the nurse if you need help getting winter clothes and boots for you child. The Santa Fund and St. Vincent de Paul have assistance available. Cough drops are **not** kept in the nurse’s office. If you would like your child to have cough drops at school, a note must accompany the cough drops. They will be kept at the teacher’s desk. If your child needs to take any medication at school, it is important that a parent or another adult bring the medicine in to school. It **must** be in its original container with the prescription label. The parent **must** sign a consent form. Medication cannot be given otherwise. Please do not send in medication with your child. Do you need health insurance for your child? NH Healthy Kids provides free and low-cost **health and dental** coverage for uninsured children. Call toll-free 1-877-464-2447 or go to [|www.nhhealthykids.com] for more information.