December 2019

Few notes from Nurse Kocoski:

With winter comes many wonderful things...the holidays, family gatherings, snow, sleigh riding :) But winter is also, unfortunately, the prime time for GERMS and SICKNESS :(There are plenty of preventative measures children can learn in order to ward off illness.  Here are three important things you can frequently remind your children to help keep them healthy the winter season:

1.  WASH YOUR HANDS!  Washing hands with soap and water will help stop the spread of germs. Remind your children to frequently and effectively wash their hands.   Many students forget to scrub for a full 20 seconds or as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" or the "ABCs". 
2. DRINK UP!  We are not usually as thirsty in the winter because the temperature is cooler, but we still need to make sure we are drinking enough fluids.  Encourage your child to drink throughout the day. Be sure to provide water or healthy drink choices for your child during the school day. 3
3. GET MOVING!  Try to make family time for some fun winter activities.  Staying active in the winter months will help maintain health and elevate serotonin, also known as the happy chemical in brains.   When the weather isn't cooperating, try some indoor yoga!  You'd be surprised at how calm and relaxed you feel afterward! 

We are working on vision and hearing screenings. If a student does not pass the hearing screening, it will be repeated within a few weeks and then you will be notified if they did not pass again.Kindergarten-4th grade students sit for an audiometer screening
The referral level for far vision is 20/40, or if there is a two step difference between the eyes. For example, left eye 20/30 and right eye 20/50.
Muscle balance referral is for a student does not pass at near and far distances.
Please understand that a referral does not mean that your child requires glasses. It means that an eye exam by an eye doctor to exam vision and check eye health is warranted. A report will be sent home and it is appreciated that you have your eye doctor fill in the form and then return it to the Health Office.
If a student does not pass the hearing screening, it will be repeated within a few weeks and then you will be notified if they did not pass again. You will be notified if wax appears to be blocking the ear canal. Please follow up if you have any questions. 

Kind regards.