Fabulous February to all our DCS Families and Friends!
Valentine’s Day is on its way and you are loved!
Encouraging our students to be “Bucket Fillers” by following the 3 B’s is always the “loving thing” to do, especially, at Dunn’s Corners School!
We have wrapped up Semester 1 in Health. Fourth graders will continue receiving Health Semester 2. They will be reviewing Body Systems and Nutrition (5210) in a little more depth. New topics like Diabetes, Asthma and Feelings/Emotions will be introduced.
Please continue to dress for winter weather. Grab that hat! Most of our body heat escapes from our heads. Speaking of heads….check out the helpful information below regarding head lice. I have also included a quick article on the stomach bug.Information on Head Lice
Head lice are small insects that live on the hair and scalp of humans and feed on blood. The eggs called “nits” are white specks that look like dandruff, but cling to the hair shaft and cannot easily be dislodged or removed. Lice and Nits do not jump or fly. They usually die after being off a person for 48 hours.
Some symptoms of Head Lice include:
· Itching of the scalp which can be mild to intense.
· Redness noted behind ears or nape of neck.
Treatment:
. Do not use regular shampoo. Contact your pediatrician or pharmacist to choose an effective product.
. Follow directions on product; use fine tooth comb to remove nits. Use daylight.
. Wash bed linens, pillows, scarfs, hats, clothing and towels in hot water and dried in hot dryer.
. Use disinfectant/hot water for combs/brushes.
. Put non-washable items in a plastic bag x 10 days.
. Vacuum carpets/floors/furniture and vehicles.
Prevention:
. Check all family members, siblings, close contacts and treat as necessary.
· Lice are transmitted by direct contact with the individual or in-direct contact with clothing, furniture, sharing brushes,and combs. Bring pillow/brush to sleepovers.
· Classrooms will continue to be cleaned and maintained as usual including vacuuming of carpeted areas.
Protocol:
· No child should be excluded or allowed to miss school because of head lice/nits.
. Parent contact will be made when children have been found to have lice or nits.
. Students may remain in school and take bus home.
. Prompt proper treatment is in the best interest of the child and their classmates.
. Student may return to school after appropriate treatment.
Please call your school-nurse teacher with questions/concerns.
“The Stomach Bug”
The stomach bug is a highly contagious virus sometimes caused by the norovirus. The infection causes gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). This leads to diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. The stomach bug is often called by other names, such as food poisoning and stomach flu. The stomach bug is not related to the flu, which is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.
Acute Gastroenteritis:
. The stomach bug causes about 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the U.S.
. Symptoms: frequent diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration (call pediatrician).
. Several strains of the virus exist, so you can get infected and sick many times in your life.
. You are most contagious during active diarrhea/vomiting and first 3 days recovery.
Prevention:
. Wash your hands! Best way to stop spread of infection
(all kinds!).
. Keep hands away from T-Zone (mouth, nose, eyes, ears).
. Avoid direct contact, sharing food, drinks and objects used by infected person.
. Keep student home till eating/drinking to sustain them through an academic day and stools are formed (Read more: Letter from Your School Nurse Teacher).
. Stay hydrated and call your Pediatrician if your child shows signs of dehydration.
Check out Links for CDC site on the Stomach Bug.
Please call your school-nurse teacher with any questions/concerns.
