Helpful Links
Students and Parents,
Here is a link to an awesome website that has something for everyone!. It is in English and Spanish. Go to KidsHealth.
Welcome to The Clinic!
Parents,
I am very happy to have the opportunity to communicate with you about your student's individual health and the needs of the school to protect all students' health. Please use this page to educate yourself, and know that I always welcome calls and emails for questions and comments.
Sincerely,
David Congleton RN, BSN
Parents, please do not send your child to school if they have:
- A fever of 100 or greater;
- Red eyes not due to allergy;
- An unexplained rash;
- A draining infected wound that has not been seen by a doctor
- Vomiting or diarrhea; or
- A cough with difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Teen Health
- Your student needs breakfast everyday. If you run out of time at home, a hot nutritious breakfast is served at school every morning.
- Is your student getting nine to 10 hours of sleep every night? Make sure the video games and TV are off and you have a set time to get into bed each night.
- Fresh air, sunshine, and exercise are very important for the health of your student. Limit TV and computer time and plan some fun outdoor activities when the weather permits.
Important News
Medication
Students are not permitted to transport medication to and from school. All over the counter and prescription medications can only be transported by the parent/guardian with the proper authorization forms.View information and forms for administering medication at school
Flu Season Has Arrived; Take Precautions-
Ha llegado la temporada de la gripe; se debe tomar precauciones
Careful hand washing is the best means of preventing the spread of germs.
School officials encourage parents to remind their children of the importance of hand washing to prevent the spread of germs. It is important to take precautions to protect our students and families from contagious ailments.
Parents are asked to keep sick children at home and to promptly pick up those who become ill at school. Do not allow children to return to school until they have fully recovered.
Important Recommendations
- Keep children home for a minimum of 24 hours after vomiting, diarrhea, or fever;
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water; use an alcohol-based cleaner if soap and water are not available;
- Cover nose and mouth with a sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of germs;
- Avoid close contact with those who have symptoms;
- Seek care for you or your child if needed, and please call ahead to your health care provider's office to tell them what symptoms you have, so they can see you quickly and prevent exposing other people in the waiting room.
- A bleach solution (one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water) is the most effective way to kill germs on surfaces.
- Flu season has arrived-make sure everyone is vaccinated, especially those with asthma and other existing health conditions.
Ha llegado la temporada de la gripe-se debe tomar precauciones
La mejor manera de prevenir lapropagación de los gérmenes es lavarse bien las manos. Se les pide a lospadres que mantengan en casa a sus hijos enfermos y que recojan conprontitud a cualquier niño que se enferme en la escuela. No debenpermitir que el niño regrese a la escuela hasta que se haya recuperadopor completo.
Recomendaciones importantes
- Mantenga a los niños en casa por lo menos 24 horas hasta que los síntomas de vómitos, diarrea o fiebre hayan terminado;
- Lávese las manos frecuentemente con jabón y agua. Use un limpiador de manos basado en el alcohol si el jabón y el agua no están disponibles;
- Cubre la nariz y la boca con una manga o pañuelo de papel cuando tose o estornuda;
- Evite tocarse los ojos, la nariz y la boca para prevenir la propagación de los gérmenes;
- Evite contacto físico con personas que tienen los síntomas;
- Busque cuidado médico para usted o su niño de ser necesario, y llame al médico antes de ir a la clínica para que él sepa de antemano sus síntomas; así podrá atenderlo pronto y a la vez prevenir la exposición de otras personas en la sala de espera;
- Una solución que consiste en una parte de cloro y 10 partes de agua es la manera más eficaz de matar los gérmenes en las superficies;
- Ha llegado la temporada de la gripe-asegúrense que todos están vacunados, especialmente las personas con asma y otras condiciones médicas existentes.
Norovirus Fact Sheet
What are noroviruses?
Norovirus is a virus that causes the "stomach flu," or vomiting and diarrhea in people.
What are the symptoms of illness caused by noroviruses?
Norovirus illness usually begins 12-48 hours after exposure, but can appear as early as 10 hours after exposure. Symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Sometimes people have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only 1 or 3 days.
How serious is norovirus disease?
Norovirus disease is usually not serious, but people may feel very sick. Most people get better within 1 or 3 days, and have no long-term health effects from the illness. Sometimes people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace what they lose from vomiting and diarrhea, and they can become dehydrated and need to see a doctor. This problem usually occurs only among the very young, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
How is norovirus spread?
Noroviruses are very contagious and spread easily from person to person. The virus is found in the stool and vomit of infected people. People can become infected in several ways, including eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated by infected food handlers, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth before handwashing, or having direct contact with another person who is infected and then touching their mouth before handwashing. Outbreaks also have occurred from eating undercooked oysters harvested from contaminated waters - cooking kills the virus. Drinking water contaminated by sewage can also be a source of these viruses. Persons working in day-care centers or nursing homes should pay special attention to children or residents who have norovirus illness. This virus can spread quickly in these places.
How long are people contagious?
People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill and for up to a month after recovery. Therefore, good handwashing is important. Persons infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for at least two days after they recover. Infected people do not become long-term carriers of norovirus.
Who gets norovirus infection? Anyone can become infected with these viruses. Because there are many different strains of norovirus, norovirus infection and illness can re-occur throughout a person's lifetime.
What treatment is available for people with norovirus infection?
Currently, there is no specific medication or vaccine for norovirus. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics. By drinking fluids, such as juice or water, people can reduce their chance of becoming dehydrated. Sports drinks do not replace the nutrients and minerals lost during this illness.
Do infected people need to be excluded from school, work or daycare?
Since the virus is passed in vomit and stool, children should not go to daycare or school while they have diarrhea or vomiting and for 24 hours once illness ends. When children return to daycare handwashing must be strictly monitored. Persons who work in nursing homes, take care of patients, or handle food should stay out of work while they are sick and for at least two days after symptoms end.
Can norovirus infections be prevented?
You can decrease your chance of coming in contact with noroviruses by:
- Frequent handwashing with warm water and soap
- Disinfecting contaminated surfaces with household chlorine bleach-based cleaners
- Washing soiled clothing and linens