FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
REMINDERS OF SCHOOL POLICY DURING THIS SEASON
Dress Code – to maintain a healthy, safe and non disruptive environment at school
Proper attire is required – clean clothing free of large holes that cover the body
appropriately. No brief, immodest or revealing attire such as midriff tops, backless tops, muscle shirts, lowcut necklines, too short skirts, pajamas, beach wear, exposed undergarments, or bare midriffs is allowed. Straps must be 1 inch wide. Skirts must reach mid thigh. Clothing that displays alcohol, drug, tobacco or violence is prohibited
Footwear must be safe. Wearing flip flops, open toed, fancy or “heelie” shoes really puts your child at high risk for injury as this is the time kids are outdoors with summer clothing, Flip flops, open toed, slippery fancy shoes, heelies give little protection when kids are biking riding(helmet required-police enforced), running, climbing, swinging and tripping or falling on pavement or loose sand. Sneakers are best.
Hoods, hats and sunglasses may not be worn in school.
ISSUES TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR CHILDREN
WASH HANDS ALL THE TIME This doesn’t stop being important just because school is out. It is not worth wasting those nice weather days being sick.
BRUSH YOUR TEETH 2X a day. Summer time has a lot more sweet treats.
DRINK A LOT OF WATER 8-10 cups per day even if you aren’t thirsty. WATER and/or diluted fruit juice are best. Those sports drinks are really for those doing intense physical activity are FULL of sugar (more than soda) and are EXPENSIVE. DEHYDRATION, SUN STROKE and HEAT EXHAUSTION can cause medical emergencies. Get them out of the sun, drink a lot of water in small amounts and apply cool clothes.
PUT SUN SCREEN AT THE START OF EVERYDDAY not just when you go swimming. There are harmful sunrays even on cloudy days. SPF sunscreen 15 or better should protect you (the higher the number- the more protection). You need to put it on every 2-3hrs. even those brands that say they are waterproof. It’s deceptive because the product gives you the impression that one application is good for all day. It is not. Just perspiring wears it off. Be careful to not apply it close to the eyes, it stings. Wear hats and sunglasses with UVA/UVB ray protect to protect your eyes. The wrap around glasses help even more. Seek shade between 10am -4pm. Wear light colored clothing covering the skin. Many skin cancers are diagnosed in people who have had severe sun exposure prior to turning 20yrs. old.
Be much more aware when biking or using scooters because cars can’t see you. This makes helmets a must.
Wearing seat belts, using car seats or booster seats can save you life. Please use them.
Be much more aware of safety near water. Drowning happens so quickly even in 1 inch of water. Always have a buddy or parent present. Do not swim after dark. If you cannot swim wear approved life preservers.
Check for ticks nightly. Do not squeeze, burn, crush or smother the tick as it releases it’s toxins in the body.
Deer ticks are small and black.
Insects and spider bites can be very painful and spread diseases. Remove their stinger. Apply ice, a paste of baking soda, tooth paste, unseasoned meat tenderizer or alcohol to relieve symptoms. There are many over the counter treatments available as well.
Continue to check heads for lice often as kids are going to camps, doing sleepovers and wearing sports caps.
Poison Ivy. Make sure you know what it looks like and rinse immediately with cold water. Avoid scratching because it’s oils get under your fingernails and spreads it even more. Poison ivy can be on clothing and animals too.